Retired: What are you reading? Showing 1,001-1,050 of 5,490

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

John, that book was one of Mike's choices for Moderator's Choice a while back, so check for the thread there. I agree, it was an excellent book.

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

John wrote: "I just finished Coal Black Horse and can't seem t find the discussion for the book. I tried the search engine but only a few mentions came up. Did we not have a dedicated thread? A very good book."

John, as I recall, the discussion was under Moderator's Choice, July, 2014.

Mike

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Let Me Die in His Footsteps
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Diane S. wrote: "Finished Let Me Die in His Footsteps
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Sound's good. I've put a hold on the audio version. Are there other of her books that you recommend?

[Jane]

Tom wrote: "Diane S. wrote: "Finished Let Me Die in His Footsteps
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Sound's good. I've put a hold on the audio version. Are there other of her b..."
This looks good and so I went to order it but not out over here just yet so how good was this?

[Diane S ☔]

She has only written two others which I have also read.

If you are asking me if I would run out and buy it, probably not. Would wait until I could get it at my library.

[Ann]

I just finished THE THOUSAND AUTUMNS OF JACOB DE ZOET by David Mitchell and I loved it. The setting, characters, story and style are wonderful.

[John]

Yes, I enjoyed it so much also

[Jane]

About to start Wading Home anybody read it ?

[Sue]

Jane wrote: "About to start Wading Home anybody read it ?"

I haven't read it Jane but you've reminded me that I have it on my kindle and should try to fit it in my reading plan.

[Sue]

Ann wrote: "I just finished THE THOUSAND AUTUMNS OF JACOB DE ZOET by David Mitchell and I loved it. The setting, characters, story and style are wonderful."

That was my first Mitchell and I loved it too.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

When I first joined this group I admitted that my experiences in reading William Faulkner were not all that favorable. Last night I was doing some research in preparation of a short fiction project for the Literary Darkness group and I happened to read A Rose for Emily. It was great! Murder, madness, maybe even a touch of necrophilia. What's not to love?

[John]

I think I'll be spending the next two weeks visiting Maine via The Cider House Rules . Off to a good start. Thirty pages in and depth upon depth and a little humor.

[Ann]

Sue, what other Mitchell books have you read?

[Sue]

Ann wrote: "Sue, what other Mitchell books have you read?"

To date, only Cloud Atlas, which I found more difficult but also rated 5*. I have a few more on my list and a couple in my apartment waiting for me.

[Ann]

I saw the movie Cloud Atlas and it looked like it was based on a much more complicated book. I didn't know what to think of the movie.

[John]

Let me add my thoughts on another David Mitchell story. Black Swan Green

What a surprisingly fun book. Creative dialog and experiences. Just enough slang and idioms to keep it interesting without becoming burdensome. My heart continues to go out to young Jason. He has to navigate bullies, social standings, a stammer, first love and separate himself from his family as he grows into his own man. The right kind of book to follow a string of heavies.

[Ann]

John, I have Black Swan Green on my tbr shelf. After reading your comments I'm really looking forward to it.

[John]

you are too kind.

[Sue]

Ann wrote: "I saw the movie Cloud Atlas and it looked like it was based on a much more complicated book. I didn't know what to think of the movie."

Cloud Atlas was one of those books that I had to struggle through in the middle because of the dialect used but, in the end, I was very glad I did. Mitchell is such a creative writer I'm sure adjustments were made to the script in order to create a film---I haven't seen it. I almost always prefer the book.

@John--thanks for the info on Black Swan Green. I intend to read that.

[Ann]

Since I loved The Thousand Autumns so much I will be reading more of Mitchell's work.

[Connie]

Ann wrote: "I saw the movie Cloud Atlas and it looked like it was based on a much more complicated book. I didn't know what to think of the movie."

Ann, it's very difficult to understand the movie Cloud Atlas if you have not read the book since it goes through so many time periods and has so many characters. You can make the connections if you are reading, and I would recommend a print book. Like John, I also loved the coming-of-age book Black Swan Green which is supposed to be semi-autobiographical.

[Ann]

Connie, I had the feeling there was much more to the story than I was picking up from watching the film. I'm looking forward to reading both Black Swan Green and Cloud Atlas. I probably won't watch the film again, though.

[Josh]

Diane wrote: "John, that book was one of Mike's choices for Moderator's Choice a while back, so check for the thread there. I agree, it was an excellent book."

I enjoyed the prose from Olmstead more than I thought I would. I would recommend his 'Far Bright Star' to anyone; in style, somewhat reminiscent of McCarthy's 'Blood Meridian'.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I finished last night. It's easily the best and most important book I've read this year.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Angela M]

I've read Under a Dark Summer Sky. 4 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jane]

I have just finished Villa America almost in one sitting !This is a wonderful novel that has captured the Murphy s lifestyle on the Cote d Azur in the 1920s and 30s. The Murphy s were apparently the models for Fitzgerald s Dick and Nicole Diver in Tender Is the Night.
Klaussmann recreates these times with real people as characters in a fictionalised form. Scott and Zelda are not always seen in a favourable light but I loved this novel and gave it four stars.(maybe also because I lived for two decades opposite the Villa America and I was feeling nostalgic)

[Angela M]

Jane , sounds like one if like . Definitely adding it to my list . Thanks .

[Jane]

Angela M wrote: "Jane , sounds like one if like . Definitely adding it to my list . Thanks ."
Good! I think I may even read Tender Is the Night again

[Angela M]

I read it years ago in college. Fitzgerald is a favorite. My favorite all time book is The Great Gatsby .

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Angela M wrote: "I read it years ago in college. Fitzgerald is a favorite. My favorite all time book is The Great Gatsby ."

It was imposed on me twice in school. Perhaps my attitude would be different had I read it voluntarily as an adult.

[Angela M]

Tom , I would recommend it . You may see it in a different light . The writing is close to perfect !

[Jane]

Angela M wrote: "I read it years ago in college. Fitzgerald is a favorite. My favorite all time book is The Great Gatsby ."
It is mine too , I think it is the perfect novel. The plot is anyway (Freytag's Triangle -sorry if I m a bore lol )

[Angela M]

I love that it's your favorite too !

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Jane wrote: "Angela M wrote: "I read it years ago in college. Fitzgerald is a favorite. My favorite all time book is The Great Gatsby ."
It is mine too , I think it is the perfect novel. The plot is anyway (Fre..."

Angela M wrote: "I read it years ago in college. Fitzgerald is a favorite. My favorite all time book is The Great Gatsby ."

A wonderful look at Gatsby is So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures by Maureen Corrigan. Why this book desrves its classic place in American literature. Recommended!

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Jane wrote: "I have just finished Villa America almost in one sitting !This is a wonderful novel that has captured the Murphy s lifestyle on the Cote d Azur in the 1920s and 30s. The Murphy s we..."

Sounds like my kind of book, Jane. I'm keeping Everybody Was So Young: Gerald and Sara Murphy: A Lost Generation Love Story by Amanda Vaill on the back burner while keeping up with Trail reads.

[Jane]

Mike wrote: "Jane wrote: "I have just finished Villa America almost in one sitting !This is a wonderful novel that has captured the Murphy s lifestyle on the Cote d Azur in the 1920s and 30s. Th..."
yes I think it is Mike and Klaussmann refers to that book as being her reference and as she puts it , a must read.

[Angela M]

Mike , thanks . I have that and just haven't gotten to it.

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Tom wrote: "Angela M wrote: "I read it years ago in college. Fitzgerald is a favorite. My favorite all time book is The Great Gatsby ."

It was imposed on me twice in school. Perhaps my attitude would be diffe..."

Amen. "Required Reading" has taken its severe toll on many readers. It's all the way a book is presented. I was lucky to have Miss Maxine Lustig who introduced me to so many books which I joyfully read for fun. Miss Lustig was co-owner of Lustig's Book Store. She wouldn't allow me to buy but one book at a time. She required me to let her know "I got it." Best literature teacher I ever had. *Smile *

[Sue]

I'm currently reading Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation: A History of Literary Paris in the Twenties and Thirties so seeing these references to the Murphys caught my interest. I have the biography already on my tbr and possibly my kindle and have now added the novel.

I definitely recommend Fitch's book for anyone interested in the literary happenings in Paris in the post=war years. The numbers and names of people who passed through Beach's shop are amazing. And the book is very well written.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

There seems to be a common thread running through this thread.

[Angela M]

Tom , I think it's telling you to try The Great Gatsby again .

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Angela M wrote: "Tom , I think it's telling you to try The Great Gatsby again ."

Oh alright. I will if you guys will come over to my place and read all the ARCs and upcoming group reads I have in the pipeline for me.

[Angela M]

Ha ! I've got enough ARCs of my own to get through. Well , maybe you'll get to it someday .

[Eileen]

Jane wrote: "I have just finished Villa America almost in one sitting !This is a wonderful novel that has captured the Murphy s lifestyle on the Cote d Azur in the 1920s and 30s. The Murphy s we..."

Thanks, Jane, for the recommendation of Villa America; I love books set in France and that one looks good.

[Eileen]

Sue wrote: "I'm currently reading Sylvia Beach and the Lost Generation: A History of Literary Paris in the Twenties and Thirties so seeing these references to the Murphys caught my interest. I hav..."

Thanks for that book recommendation, Sue; I'm interested in literary Paris so that's right down my alley.

[Eileen]

Mike wrote: "Jane wrote: "I have just finished Villa America almost in one sitting !This is a wonderful novel that has captured the Murphy s lifestyle on the Cote d Azur in the 1920s and 30s. Th..."

That book Everybody Was So Young: Gerald and Sara Murphy: A Lost Generation Love Story sounds good, Mike; I'm adding it to my list.

Who knew I'd get 3 great new French book recs. while traveling the Southern trail!

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Disclaimer
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Reading The Marriage of Opposites

[Connie]

I also have Everybody Was So Young: Gerald and Sara Murphy: A Lost Generation Love Story sitting on my shelf to be read. I recently read A Moveable Feast byErnest Hemingway which is about the same group of people in Paris. It looks like the Southern Trail is going on vacation to France.

[Eileen]

Connie wrote: "I also have Everybody Was So Young: Gerald and Sara Murphy: A Lost Generation Love Story sitting on my shelf to be read. I recently read A Moveable Feast by[author:Ernest..."

That's great, Connie; I'll be interested to hear what you think once you read it.