What Are You Reading Now?

[Anne]

Just finished Between, Georgia. I really enjoyed it though the ending was a bit predictable. Just started reading The Double by Jose Saramago...I bought it because the back sounded interesting and I thought Blindness was great.

[Lori]

dr brown, I worked hard at all the Saramago novels, and came away with stories that stuck with me long after i was finished. I would guess that it depends on what the reader is after. I struggle with him because I know his novels are worth it. If it were anyone else, or someone I hadnt read before, I dont think i would put myself through all that.... You dont want to force yourself to read something that isnt worth it.

Ayn Rand is one author i just refuse to struggle through, tho others swear she is a literary god. So to each thier own.

I do hope you continue with Blindness. I think it is definetly his best. By a mile!

[Shary]

I'm reading A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving and I'm loving it. It's a great story: funny and even a little sad.

[Anne]

Just finished reading Eat, Pray, Love and must say that I didn't care for it much. It seemed rather self-indulgent and more than a little redundant. I guess I should have known better...I have never had any interest in self-help/improvement/spirtual journey types of books. What I want is a good story with characters I still wonder about after I finish the book.

[Ashley]

I'm currently reading the 3rd prequel of the Left Behind series. I'm almost halfway through it .

[Lori]

Been thru quite a few books since i last posted here. Still kicking around my semi-new Christoher Moore obsession by reading A Dirty Job, then Bloodsucking Fiends and then running out the morning I finished that to buy and read the sequel You Suck! Now i plan on taking a breather, and reading Sharp Teeth, which is an epic poem (my first one! yippie) about werewolves....(another first!)

[Aimee]

Angel: how funny! I am just finished reading Eat, Pray, Love and I loved it! ha! I love books detailing people's travel through different countries, and i like reading someone who has a conversational writing style and a personality I can relate to.

I'm not much of a "self-help" person myself, though. I will agree with you on that.

And oddly enough, it was the indulgence that I found so interesting because it's all stuff I wish i could do! I find I live vicariously through the writer.

But I totally get how a book like this could be love/hate and hit/miss. It's not for everyone.

[Anne]

Hi Aimee, thanks for your comments. I understand that a lot of people loved this book. Did you notice she is writing/has written a new book about what happens next in her life?

[Korie]

I want to read Sharp Teeth. Let us know how it is!

Also -- just was given a pre-publication galley of Sepulchre by Kate Moss. Very interesting. Not as well written as I would like, but a good story (and I love historical novels to the point where I will put up with some bad writing.)

[Stacy]

Drbrown have you read Kate Moss's first book Labyrinth? I started reading it last year and put it away because I didn't have the time to devote to it. Is it worth the read?

[Renata]

I just finished Ariana Franklin's "Mistress of the Art of Death", and am in a total funk. Don't know what to read next although I have so many books in the queue. I don't like to stay with the same genre, so need to find something different than a historical murder mystery.

[Korie]

Yes, Stacy! I really enjoyed it. One of the characters re-appears in Sepulchre. I would recommend both of them if you like historical fiction.

[Aimee]

Angel: I did see that she is writing/has written a follow-up. I will more than likely pick that up at some point too!!

Lately I've been an absentee mom of my own Group! That's not to say I haven't been reading...I've been reading A LOT.

I just started reading the Sequel to Twilight. I put it off because I found out some of what happens in it and I didn't like the sound of it, but so far I'm cruising through it again.

I put Middlesex down for a while, but will pick it up again soon. Same for Catch-22 (that's my worst victim of "putting it down for a while") Both are books that you have to sort of be in a 'mood' to really want to read them.

Stacy & DrBrown - I was looking at that book Labyrinth as well. What about it did you like Doc?

[Jennifer]

I've seen several posts of people reading Blindness. I'm reading it right now in Portuguese (I live in Brazil) and am very impressed with Saramago. He takes some paying attention to, and the story is gripping. I've heard good things about his other novels, so I will probably try another one after I finish this one.
I'm also reading The Appeal, by John Grisham; Pride and Prejudice (how I got through school without reading this one I don't know), and Little Women.

[Anne]

Hi Jennifer, I loved Blindness and now I am reading The Cave by Saramago. So far I love it. I agree that you really have to focus when reading his work, but I think its a good exercise and a nice change from "lighter" novels.

[Korie]

Labyrinth was a fun story but also focused on the history of the Cathars in southern France. I really enjoy historical novels, and this one was on a time in history that I find particularly fascinating -- the Middle Ages and Crusades.

Jennifer, where in Brazil are you? I would love to visit that country! Are you a Brazilian native, or living there as an ex-patriate?

I'm currently still trying to navigate Blindness. I'm also reading Grotesque by Kirino; it's, well, grotesque (but hard to put down.) Since I've visited both Japan and China (where the novel takes place), it's very interesting to compare my experiences to those narrated in the book...

[Stacy]

I've decided I'm going to tackle Labyrinth again. I just finished up The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard(sp?). It was an intriguing book that I actually read in one day because I couldn't put it down.

[Jennifer]

Dr, I'm in the fabulous city of Rio! I'm an expat. I have lived here on and off for the last four years and will be here until sometime around November. I love the city and everything about it (except that getting downtown during Carnaval is impossible).
Needless to say, I read in Portuguese so my grammar will be good. Though Saramago's grammar is kind of sketchy....

[Rebecca]

i'm new to bebo and this group... just wanted to let everyone know that i'm currently reading "house of leaves" by mark z. danielewski... again... it is one of the best books i have ever read and i highly recommend it... even though i have to have all the lights on in the apartment because it freaks me out so much...

[Stacy]

Labyrinth is going kind of slow for me. It's not because I don't find it intriguing though. It's kind of weird. I think it has to do with the style or the wording that is causing me to have to read it more slowly.

[Korie]

Life has been hard the last couple of weeks - a pet died, work has been very difficult, both my husband and I have been sick (and I am going on two weeks now!), and so I am reading Lonely Werewolf Girl just for fun. I don't know if other teachers have this problem, but right around Spring Break my ability to sustain concentration on a book absolutely dwindles and so I schedule my lightest reading for the period between April and June. Since I'll be teaching Advanced Placement English Literature next fall, I will need to review some cool classics this summer!

[Anne]

Hi Dr, I'm am also a teacher and counting the days until Spring Break (10 to go). I think my reading has slowed a bit because I can't stay awake for more than a few pages at a time (thats what I get for reading before bed, my only "free" time). Anyway looking forward to a break and catching up on my reading.

[Jan]

Hi, I just joined this group - I'm always looking for ideas of what to read. The latest books I've read that I really liked are "The Monsters of Templeton" by Lauren Groff, "Still Life" by Louise Penny, "Gods Behaving Badly" by Marie Phillips, and "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" by Michael Pollan. That's all in the last couple of weeks. Today I started "Dakota" by Martha Grimes. Our book club's name is Eclectica and that describes my reading habits for sure. I work in a library and read constantly so definitely need new ideas all the time. I'm looking forward to some great leads here!

[Stacy]

I finished Labyrinth. So happy I decided to try it again.

[Jim]

Adams v Jefferson the Election of 1800
gr8 book about Founding Fathers and political thought they had - also describes them in ways I never was taught/read.

[Aimee]

Reading 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult. I usually don't like books the shift POV often, but this one is really grabbing my attention.

[Stacy]

Just started The Time Traveler's Wife.


Aimee- I'm beginning to believe that Jodi Picoult writes all of her books that way. I've read two of her's, My Sisters Keeper and The Pact, then you mentioned this one. It's a rather unique writing style I must say.

[Rebecca]

"sharp objects" by gillian flynn

[Michele]

I am reading Icebound by Leonard Guttridge - it's about polar exploration.

I love Jodi Picoult - definitely one of my favourite authors.

[Korie]

Suggestion to everyone who needs a break: pick up a copy of Lonely Werewolf Girl. What more do you need to lift your spirits during a bad month beyond a succession war, crazy werewolves, a band called Yum Yum Sugary Snacks, romance, teenage angst, and clothing lust? It's light, it's funny, it's tender.... and I loved the portrayal of a dysfunctional family and misfits finding their own tribe. Recommended!

About to begin Give Me the World by Leila Hadley. I've been meaning to read it for a while, and now I will!

[Rebecca]

"Possible Side Effects" by Augusten Burroughs

[Korie]

Almost finished with Give Me the World. Interesting, but seems dated. Just finished "Pale Horse, Pale Rider." Would love to hear other people's comments on it.

[Catamorandi]

"Finnegans Wake" by James Joyce
"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

[Renee]

Just finished Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn and have just started Waste Land "The Savage Odyssey of Charles Starkweather and Caril Ann Fugate" by Michael Newton

[Celeste]

I'm reading Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I've never read anything by either of these author, although, Terry Pratchett is my son's favorite author.

Just started I'll keep you posted.

[Stacy]

I haven't read Good Omens but I did read Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman and really enjoyed it.

[Korie]

I am thinking about re-reading Jane Austen. I'm about at the point in the school year where I seem to be too tired/spacy/overworked to read new books. It will last nights until about a week after graduation. This year, I want to see if re-reading helps to break the cycle.


Are there other teachers here? Does this happen to you?

[Anne]

Hi Dr, I am also a teacher and know that feeling. I know its started when I begin counting school days until summer break (38). I find its a good time for a "lighter" read, nothing too taxing.

Btw, just started Charity Girl because the subject matter sounded interesting.

[Abby]

I picked up Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella last night, and am already halfway through it. It's not a difficult read, but its very enjoyable so far!

[Korie]

Currently reading Anna Karenina and getting really annoyed with her. Has anyone else read AK, and did anyone else just want to shake her?

[Celeste]

Never finished Good Omens, just couldn't get into it. Maybe I'll take Stacy's suggestion and try Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. Maybe the two author thing was the problem.

I am now reading Runemarks by Joanne Harris. Yes, the same Joanne Harris that wrote Chocolat. She is trying her wings in young adult fiction. This one is based on Norse mythology. I'm about 1/5th of the way in(that's 100 pages or so) and I'm really enjoying it so far. I'll surely keep you posted.

Oh, and Doc thanks for the tidbit on Anna Karenina. I've been considering reading it, but now I'll have more to think about before picking up that tome.

[Celeste]

Finished Runemarks today. As with most of Joanne Harris' books, I just don't find she's a good closer and it didn't help that this is oviously the first in a series. It still could have been cleaner. I did enjoy it overall, however.

Just started Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson and on the lighter side the second in the Sister Grimm series-The Unusual Suspects. These are very cute and kind of like Fforde for kids.

[Kara]

Hi,

I'm new, and I am reading The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. I am soooo bored but determined to finish it. :)

[Arthur]

I am reading and will enjoy Middlesex written by Jeffrey Eugenides

[Angela]

I am reading The Female Brain as well. So far I agree 100%. I am always fascinated by books of this nature but often they are written in such a vein that makes them hard to get through because of the scientific feel. So far this book seems to be loaded with science but it doesn't feel it. If that makes sense. I work at a preganancy related magazine so the part including womb through toddler development was fascinating. So far I highly recommend it.

[Jim]

I read this book to get some insight into what would happen to my Daughter when she turned 13

not only did the book give me a lot of information about that age but is womb-to-grave and covers a lot more than just The Female Brain

I thought it was very interesting and easy to read

also what this author talks about comes up more and more in various articles/books even though
it was only written last year

also given the # of different types of reviews given it from 5 stars to 1/2 stars, it affects people in a lot of different ways

[Celeste]

I just started Storm Front by Jim Butcher. I'll keep you people posted. So far, so good.

[Aimee]

I am currently finishing up The Historian.

I've also recently picked up Choke by Chuck Palahniuk. I just found out they made it into a movie and it comes out soon....that should be interesting...

[Taffy]

I am reading "Three Swans" about three generations of Chinese women from a generals concubine to a girl who finally got to leave China in the 60's.
Also, I am reading the third book "Star Garden" by Nancy Turner, author of one of my favorite books! "These is my Words"
I started Bleak House but thought I would wait while I finish the other two.
I also have on my nightstand "Phineas Finn" and the Cliff Notes for "Paradise Lost"

[Jennifer]

Kara,
Keep struggling. The Big Sleep took a lot of attention when I read it. It helped me to imagine Humphrey Bogart saying the lines, since he immortalized Marlowe on the silver screen.