Retired: What are you reading? Showing 3,001-3,050 of 5,490

[Cassie]

I'm about to graduate from Goddard college with the BFA in creative writing, and my chosen seem of study was southern women writers. During that time I got hooked on Elizabeth Spencer and Lee Smith. The two that stand out to me were Spencer's Voice at the Back Door and Smith's Oral History. Neither our new books, but I was surprised that I had missed them over the years.

[Janie]

Cassie, they are both such accomplished writers. At the Southern Literature Conference held in Chattanooga, held every other year, readers have the opportunity to meet them. My favorite Spencer story is "Light in the Piazza."

[Diane S ☔]

Finished The Unseen World
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Angela M]

Read Heirlooms: Stories. 4 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I just started rereading A Clockwork Orange for the first time in over forty year. In the preface Burgess reveals that the book was originally written with 21 chapters but the American publisher cut the final chapter to give it a more fatalistic ending. The American ending is also what Stanley Kubrick chose for the movie version. It wasn't until 1986 that the final chapter was restored and American readers were able to read the book as Burgess intended. So far it's vedy horrorshow!

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

I read Clockwork Orange as a young adult, and was horrified. It would be interesting to see what my reaction would be at this point in my life. I'll let you be my "canary in the coal mine" this time around.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Is that the one that you have to figure out the language when reading?

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Laura wrote: "Is that the one that you have to figure out the language when reading?"

It is. I think the edition I read back in the 70s had a glossary but this one doesn't. I'm mainly listening to it on audio and I'm not finding it difficult to follow along. Out of curiosity, I googled to see if there was a glossary online and there are bunches of them.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Yes, Laura, and I didn't have a whole lot of patience with it 40 years ago, probably even less now.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Diane wrote: "Yes, Laura, and I didn't have a whole lot of patience with it 40 years ago, probably even less now."

Oddly enough, the audio version may be a lot easier than actually reading it.

[Connie]

I read "The Clockwork Orange" a few years ago, and used a language glossary for a few chapters. Then it seemed to flow. I can't say I "liked" the book, but I found it fascinating. I saw the movie back in the 1970s with absolutely no idea what it was about. What a shock!!

[Jane]

I remember people walking out of that movie but they seemed to spend most of the early 70 s walking and stomping out of movies back then in my town

[Sue]

Connie wrote: "I read "The Clockwork Orange" a few years ago, and used a language glossary for a few chapters. Then it seemed to flow. I can't say I "liked" the book, but I found it fascinating. I saw the movie b..."

I've never read the book but did see the film on a big screen back on it's initial release in the 70s. Wow. Put me off ever wanting to read it, to tell you the truth. I know there are all sorts of messages that I missed for all the shock in the film but I just can't stand the thought of reading it and having some of those visuals return!

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Connie wrote: "I read " I can't say I "liked" the book, but I found it fascinating..."

It's definitely one that sparks a lot of conversation. It's interesting that in the preface, Burgess admits that it wasn't his favorite work.

[Diane S ☔]

Clockwork orange was assigned reading in my high school, junior year. So intense. Nowadays parent's would probably be outraged if that was assigned.

[Carol]

I would have been outraged if I had been forced to read it for school, and I graduated from ugh school in '79. The movie still haunts me. I will not read the book, not that there's anything wrong of course with choosing otherwise.

[Karen]

The Death of Sweet MisterThe Death of Sweet Mister] I just finished reading The Death of Sweet Mister. Hete is my review

[Karen]

I just finished reading The Death of Sweet Mister by Daniel Woodrell. My review is hereThe Death of Sweet Mister

[Brina]

After reading Sweet Mister, I am decompressing with a baseball book. Reading Hank Greenberg, Hero of Heroes by John Rosengren

[Guy]

Brina wrote: "After reading Sweet Mister, I am decompressing with a baseball book. Reading Hank Greenberg, Heronof Heroes by John Rosengren"

Baseball - Yeah! would love to know who this is. Big fan of the sport, its history and Hank Greenberg.

[Brina]

Author John Rosengren. Also wrote book on Marichel-Roseboro fight. So far this book is interesting. I chose it because of Greenberg the man, not necessarily Greenberg the ball player. I am up to where he joined the army.

[Kim]

I am currently reading THE RETURN by Dinah McCall (also known as Sharon Sala)

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I just finished Hard Red Spring, a historical novel spanning 100 years of Guatemalan history and U.S. involvement. Very well researched but painfull to read. Here is my review.

[Brina]

Does it mention El Salvador? If it does then it is a must read for me.

[Diane S ☔]

Finished The City Baker's Guide to Country Living
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Connie]

I loved David McCullough's The Wright Brothers. Here's my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Brina wrote: "Does it mention El Salvador? If it does then it is a must read for me."

Actually, it doesn't. El Salvador's troubles were more in the 1970s.

[Brina]

Tom, I reserved the book, just couldn't exist. Meanwhile, I am reading The Poisonwood Bible.

[LA]

Rats! Just finished up Barkskins and was almost as disappointed in it as I was in The Luminaries, Fates and Furies, and LaRose.

They are all big, fat books that included far too much minutia and either way too many characters for me to care about or included far too many years in their reach. I did love the big fatties from Donna Tartt and Anthony Doerr, so it really isn't my attention span that...OH LOOK, A SQUIRREL! Okay, maybe it is me.

On a happy note, I'm totally enjoying being sad and full of dread with our Daniel Woodrell group read, The Death of Sweet Mister, especially since I've caught a few sentences that tie in two of his other books. I'm also happily about to fire up the audio version of an excellent and quirky novel that I read earlier this year. By happenstance, it was nominated by one of my real world book clubs, so yippee - I get to enjoy The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty again!

Lastly, I've been doing some YA stuff, despite my general intolerance for it, so my kid and I can yak about the books together. The best part is, that he started a junior high book club this summer with my help, and their two meetings have been fantastic. Since the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children movie is coming out in late September, my son picked that for the club to read. They're going to dress in vintage looking clothes from Goodwill and have high tea for the discussion and will all go see the movie together when it debuts. Yeah, it is over the top, but for his friends who do not like to read much, making every book club discussion into a party makes reading fun AND social.

On the flip side of book club, my husband is the only dude in our neighborhood club...we have decided to start offering a lot of BEER and porkrinds to boost male participation. ;)

That's my reading update! LOVE seeing what y'all are up to!

[Brina]

Leanne- I know. I just eliminated 2 tomes from books I had originally wanted to read this month. Not enough time or energy to get them read. Hmm how to boost male participation? I'm trying to revitalize the baseball book club here on goodreads and all I can think of is read an occasional sports themed book. My dad is in a book club and I know they do offer food because they meet once a month in a restaurant. Hope those ideas help.

[LA]

Brina wrote: "Leanne- I know. I just eliminated 2 tomes from books I had originally wanted to read this month. Not enough time or energy to get them read. Hmm how to boost male participation? I'm trying to revit..."

A sports book might help, good idea! We did have two husbands stay at the last meeting, even though they hadn't read the book. I think having Joe go over to yak with them helped, plus the book was set in Chechnya during the two early 2000s, and they got into our discussion about Putin and pipelines. We are also going to do a progressive dinner in November based on MO Walsh's book set in an upscale Baton Rouge neighborhood...I think that'll draw them, but poor Joe wants fellow guy readers now!

In general, its seems like most real world book clubs are for chick lit, and half the women don't even read the choice. I'm so glad to have a reading husband and a reading son!

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

There would be a mutiny in both my book clubs if we tried to include husbands. We actually enjoy not having to cater to them, and love having our own thing without having to compromise either our reading tastes or food and wine choices. Men have a way of trying to take over and direct anything they're involved in, at least in my generation.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Diane wrote: "Men have a way of trying to take over and direct anything they're involved in, at least in my generation. "

Nasty creatures, men! Actually, if you just give us a beer, set us in front of the TV and put the game on we'll be fine for hours.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

FYI: The author Q&A board for next month's Post-80 selection, Last Ride to Graceland is up and ready for you to post your questions. I've advised Kim that it is up to her whether she wants to wait until September to start answering questions or to do so as they come in.

[Brina]

Tom actually that's what I'd rather do myself. So I listen to games on the radio and read at the same time. It's called multitasking

[Sara]

Tom wrote: "Diane wrote: "Men have a way of trying to take over and direct anything they're involved in, at least in my generation. "

Nasty creatures, men! Actually, if you just give us a beer, set us in fron..."

lol. I'm gonna try that, Tom.
Seriously, we had one guy at my last "real life" book club and he was a treat. I found that he always brought a different perspective to the read and saw things I had missed or read them with a different twist. When I moved and left the club behind, he was one of the things I most missed. If there had been GR back then, I would have been begging him to read with me online.

[Kim]

My husband and son like reading and discussing books with me. My first husband was neither a reader nor a pet lover and that ended up being a non-starter for me aside from the other aspects that emerged that broke us up. Once I began dating, I required a reader and pet lover as a starting point...personality traits worked in our favor thereafter and we are in our 35th year together. I read so much, and it is so lovely to read together while drinking coffee and holding hands in a café.

[Brina]

I feel like gloating. My youngest daughter who is going into kindergarten won our library's preschool summer reading program she won a Lego desk set. We are going tomorrow to pick it up. And I have waiting for me A Covenant With Death that Leanne, Kirk, and Laura recommended. I look forward to reading it over the weekend.

[Angela M]

I finished The Underground Railroad. 3.5 stars rounded up to four . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Brina wrote: "I have waiting for me A Covenant With Death that Leanne, Kirk, and Laura recommended. "

Please tell me you are talking about a book. I'd hate to think that this crew is now dabbling in the dark arts.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Ok Tom that just made me laugh! That's a big Thank You from Tennessee!!!

[Brina]

Lol yes a book by Stephen Becker. Supposed to be TKAM of the Southwest written in 1964. I have been looking forward to this one.

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Entwined: Sisters and Secrets in the Silent World of Artist Judith Scott
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Diane S ☔]

Wouldn't that be hoodoo or voodoo?

[LA]

Angela M wrote: "Finished The Invisible Life of Ivan Isaenko. 5 stars . My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

This sounds good!

[LA]

Tom wrote: "Brina wrote: "I have waiting for me A Covenant With Death that Leanne, Kirk, and Laura recommended. "

Please tell me you are talking about a book. I'd hate to think that this crew is now dabbling ..."

Snorting over here, laughing!! And yes, Diane S - we are totally introducing her to voodoo. I've got a gator foot, a purple candle, and some stuff for her to use in her first voodoo doll.
Question is: do we make her eat a live chicken?
Answer (from Steel Magnolias): not on her first visit!

LOL!!!!!

[Angela M]

LeAnne , I really thought so ! Ivan is an unforgettable character.

[LA]

Angela M wrote: "LeAnne , I really thought so ! Ivan is an unforgettable character."

I've got this backlog of really good books in physical form that keep falling to the edge of my plate, time-wise. I'm going to see if the library apps have this on audio. Seriously, I used to think audio books were for commuters and old farts, but man - you can actually accomplish at least mindless tasks and "read" at the same time!

[Angela M]

I haven't been able to get into audiobooks. It's this weird feeling of having someone read to me . Tried one and it just didn't work for me . I keep thinking I'll try again sometime.

[Kirk]

Tom's off the hook! Haha! You'all remind me to never dabble. EVER Lol