What are you reading? [Archive] - Page 4

TinkerbellAPixie

05-14-2008, 10:44 AM

I am nearly done with The Boleyn Inheritance and loving every minute of it. I love that they have three different women reading the three voices in the book (Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Jane Parker). This book has just flown by.

The next book on tap is The Queens Fool - I am on a Phillippa Greggory kick and fear I will fall into a deep depression when I've finished her series.

Katmandu

05-14-2008, 07:30 PM

I am a big Tom Robbins fan and Kurt Vonnegut. They are fantastic reading.
Len which is your favourite Robbins novel.

I just finished a great book called The Book of Negroes. It is by a Canadian author and tells the story of a young girls journey from childhood in Africa to the slave ships to America to Canada and back to Africa.
It sounds depressing but was actually hard to put down and fascinating.
It is fiction but told in the women's voice. Most is historically accurate and the author explains at the end where he messed with history.
It was like taking history and writing what you thought the person might be thinking.

Chrissie

05-15-2008, 02:47 AM

lennonwhore

05-15-2008, 11:58 AM

Cherie

05-27-2008, 07:46 PM

I finished The Other Boleyn Girl and I am now reading Meridon the third book in the Widacre series. Can someone tell me what book comes after The Other Boleyn Girl?

Pekmboyd

05-27-2008, 08:38 PM

I finished The Other Boleyn Girl and I am now reading Meridon the third book in the Widacre series. Can someone tell me what book comes after The Other Boleyn Girl?

I don't know what order they go in either - if someone knows can they tell me? I know The Constant Princess and The Boleyn Inheritance are part of the same series, but have no idea what the right order is.

Chrissie

05-28-2008, 02:40 AM

I don't know what order they go in either - if someone knows can they tell me? I know The Constant Princess and The Boleyn Inheritance are part of the same series, but have no idea what the right order is.

The constant Princess, The other Boleyn Girl, The Boleyn Inheritance, The Queen's Fool, The Virgin's Lover

TinkerbellAPixie

05-28-2008, 04:26 AM

Taking a break from all that Tudor action - (it was starting to effect my personal life) and reading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostava.

Once I finish this I will pick up with The Queen's Fool.

Katmandu

05-28-2008, 06:55 AM

I was talking about The Book of Negroes and just discovered that in the States it is called Someone Knows My Name. I was hoping you would give it a try Len since we seem to have similar reading tastes.

I read the other Boleyn Girl and loved it.

RachWho?

05-28-2008, 07:50 AM

I am reading Into the Wild and it's really amazing. Since I couldn't seem to hook anyone on the movie, maybe I can hook someone on the book.

Pekmboyd

05-28-2008, 04:54 PM

I'm afraid I hated the book so much I wouldn't watch the movie - I do have to say that I believe the problem with the book has everything to do with his writing style and nothing to do with the story - which I actually enjoyed.

lennonwhore

05-28-2008, 05:02 PM

LonnaSaur

05-28-2008, 06:14 PM

I hate when an author uses a "new" style of writing. With the exception of apostrophes, I.m a big fan of grammar. I just read War and Peace, b/c I always told myself I would, and I felt that it would be a big adult book to read. Believe it or not, it is a damn fine book. If you have three months to do nothing (like, say, after surgery or something) read it.

Ditto the unedited version of The Count of Monte Cristo. It is also "a damn fine book" (Len, I LOVE that!)

I am reading books about babies and breastfeeding!

angiemarie

05-29-2008, 11:27 AM

I started The Secret Life Of Bees during jury duty today. Seems very interesting so far.

RachWho?

05-29-2008, 12:36 PM

I started The Secret Life Of Bees during jury duty today. Seems very interesting so far.

I read that book and quite liked it. I hear they are making it into a movie!

Katmandu

05-29-2008, 05:36 PM

Absolutely loved it. Thought the ending was ehh but is the kind of book you pass on.

angiemarie

07-09-2008, 10:05 AM

I read three historical novels this weekend, and boy am I glad I wasn't born a hundred years ago.

The Dark Lantern by Gerri Brightwell. Takes place during Victorian England, and everyone in a household has secrets. The maid works 6am-12midnight, 7 days a week. She gets a half-day off every two weeks, how frigging awful would that be? Good book, lots of intrigue and period details.

The Blood Doctor by Barbara Vine. Modern day writer compiling a biography of his great-grandfather who was a doctor who specialized in hemophilia. Another suspenseful read by Ruth Rendell under her pseudonym Barbara Vine. Also describes the end of the House of Lords in English Parliment.

Touchstone by Laurie King. Set during the British Union Strikes of the 1920's. Not as well written as the others but definitely a good read. The most interesting part of the book was the WWII veteran who could "feel" if people were deceitful.

As you can tell, I had a totally Uk-rific weekend.

menomor3

07-09-2008, 12:21 PM

Clair

07-09-2008, 02:18 PM

My daughter read that book. I can't bring myself to read it because it would haunt me forever. :(

Chrissie

07-10-2008, 04:00 AM

I know this book has been out for a while now but I just read "A Boy called It", by Dave Pelzer. I cried through every chapter! It was a short book and a really quick read. Having children of my own I can't fathom how a mother could do that to a child. That poor boy. :( Now I have to read the next book to find out what happened to him and find out if his mother ever got hers!

Read "A Boy Called IT" in a day when it first came out. DP has written a total of four books on his life. Gave it to my than 13 now 14 yo to read during the winter after hearing one to many times what a cruel and mean mother I am and told him we will talk after he reads the book

giffordsaz

07-10-2008, 04:11 PM

So Chrissie, did he have a different attitude after the read?
I would have had a pair of hand cuffs hanging around just in case!

Chrissie

07-11-2008, 03:29 AM

So Chrissie, did he have a different attitude after the read?
I would have had a pair of hand cuffs hanging around just in case!

yes he did he just kept saying wow how can someone do that

Pekmboyd

07-11-2008, 09:35 PM

Somebody was asking what to read next - Reader's Digest names a website www.whatshouldireadnext.com - I haven't used it much, it seems to be pretty dead on sometimes, and really random other times. But maybe it will help?

TinkerbellAPixie

07-11-2008, 09:56 PM

Oh thanks Pek - I'll give it a try.

Ellsbells

07-12-2008, 06:26 AM

I just finished reading "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" - on oldie but a goodie. I really liked it. It started of kinda slow, but once it got going, it was very interesting.

I also read "Mistaken Identity" about Laura Van Ryn and Whitney Cerak. They were both in a car accident with a few other people. Laura died and Whitney lived. But when Whitney was taken from the scene, she was mistaken for Laura. They didn't find out who she was until a couple months later. (True story in case you haven't heard of it).

Crazyness, but after reading the book I can see how they were mistaken. It's a short read but an interesting one.

flipit

07-14-2008, 09:41 PM

i feel like a total dope following "a tree grows in brooklyn" with this, but i am in the middle of this book called "z war" about zombies killing off the world and as stupid as that sounds, it's a war story told from all these different sides and it's pretty compelling stuff.

and i'm still reading the new david sedaris book. i only like to read one story every couple of days so it lasts longer.

chooch850

07-14-2008, 10:12 PM

I also read "Mistaken Identity" about Laura Van Ryn and Whitney Cerak. They were both in a car accident with a few other people. Laura died and Whitney lived. But when Whitney was taken from the scene, she was mistaken for Laura. They didn't find out who she was until a couple months later. (True story in case you haven't heard of it).

.

They were all on Oprah.

angiemarie

07-15-2008, 09:30 AM

I adore David Sedaris, especially on audiobook. My favorite is "You can't kill The Rooster" or something like that and his sister Amy does the voice of his brother, The Rooster. So funny!

I read Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult which disturbing but interesting. She's really good at making characters that are shades of gray, no black or white.

I also finished The Night Gardener by George Pelecannos (sp?) which is a gritty crime drama written by one of the writers for The Wire. It was very entertaining.

Next up, Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich. I'm a big Lula fan so I hope she gets up to her usual highjinks!

Katmandu

07-15-2008, 09:59 AM

I finished fearless fourteen and was disappointed. I still can't wait for the next one but I felt cheated at the end. I felt the characters were just shades of who they really were and the dialogue was not as quick as it usuallly is.

And for me I missed Ranger. I felt that he was missing and much as I love Joe I am a Ranger fan.

If they made a movie I think maybe the Rock should play Ranger and that girl from the View should be Lula.

I just finished something Blue. It was good and am now reading Dancing Naked on the edge of Dawn. I loved the title.

gasmilicous

07-15-2008, 10:34 AM

I am almost through Fearless Fourteen. Glad to see there are other Stephanie Plum fans out there!! So far, I'm a bit disappointed too. I feel like the story line is just eh. And I agree, Katmandu, they all seem like shades of themselves. And definitely not enough Grandma Mazur. :)

Next on my list is A Thousand Splendid Sons. Read the Kite Runner and LOVED it, so this was a natural next read.

lestermaddox

07-15-2008, 11:05 AM

I just finished Beyond Reach by Karen Slaughter. She writes mystery - and this is the latest installment in a series. And OMR! I don't want to spoil it for anyone else who might read her - but I can't believe who she killed off at the end of the book!

It was just an okay book - but the shock factor in the last three pages is HUGE!

Clair

07-21-2008, 09:40 AM

I just read the Tom Cruise unauthorized biograpy. The author did a really good job being impartial. The Scientology belief system is extremely odd.

Pegster

07-21-2008, 10:15 AM

I am almost through Fearless Fourteen. Glad to see there are other Stephanie Plum fans out there!! So far, I'm a bit disappointed too. I feel like the story line is just eh. And I agree, Katmandu, they all seem like shades of themselves. And definitely not enough Grandma Mazur. :)

I'm getting so bored with the Stephanie Plum books. It's like she keeps recycling ideas over and over. Bleh.

lestermaddox

07-21-2008, 11:12 AM

extremel[/U]y odd.

So how true is it Clair that Scientology is based on the belief that everyone has an "inner alien" and only those who truely believe will be saved when the end of the world comes?

I have never read anything about Scientology, but I have a friend who was all worked up over this a while back. I was gonna do some research about it to see how correct she was, and then decided that I just really didn't care that much.

I am finishing Bones to Ashes by Kathy Rieches and The Forgotten Man by Robert Crais. Both of these are by authors that I love. If you like the show Bones - Kathy Rieches writes the books that the show is loosely based on. I say loosely because except for the name and occupation of the lead character - there is not much about the series that matches the books - but both are really good IMO.

giffordsaz

07-22-2008, 06:26 AM

I'm getting so bored with the Stephanie Plum books. It's like she keeps recycling ideas over and over. Bleh.

You guys need to move on to J.D.Robb
Her series of -----Born in.........
books are inventive and the characters fulfilling.
I recommend going back a few years and getting the first in the series so you know the beginnings... you will get hooked.
I found the Plum books entertaining up until 4-5 and read the rest just because I have a friend who does also.
I hope by 14 she is out of her apartment, in a great car, and having sex with the guy she should be.:thumbup:

lestermaddox

07-22-2008, 07:59 AM

If you are talking Robb's furturistic-ish cop series Giff - then it is the "In Death" series. There are about 30 of them now and all of them have been fun to read. I think it is funny to note that JD Robb and Nora Roberts (of romance fame) are one and the same person. I cannot read a Nora Roberts book for nothin' but I love the In Death series.

gasmilicous

07-22-2008, 08:03 AM

You guys need to move on to J.D.Robb
Her series of -----Born in.........
books are inventive and the characters fulfilling.
I recommend going back a few years and getting the first in the series so you know the beginnings... you will get hooked.
I found the Plum books entertaining up until 4-5 and read the rest just because I have a friend who does also.
I hope by 14 she is out of her apartment, in a great car, and having sex with the guy she should be.:thumbup:

Just finished 14. LOL...keep hopin.

angiemarie

07-22-2008, 08:33 AM

I don't read the Stephanie Plum series for plot or character growth. I read them because they all make me laugh out loud. The characters are like people I know in real life, messed up, funny, and staying that way.

Pekmboyd

07-26-2008, 04:30 PM

I just read the Tom Cruise unauthorized biograpy. The author did a really good job being impartial. The Scientology belief system is extremely odd.

I read that too Clair, and I agree - he was as impartial as you can be with such bizarre material. I think he really balanced the Scientology stuff with the "there's really no proof he's gay" parts - if he'd been out to just write a vicious book he would have jumped on the Tom Cruise is gay bandwagon, and he didn't.

I recently read Monster, the Autobiography of an LA Gang Member - don't recommend it. I thought it would be a fascinating inside look at the whys and the hows and the societal impacts and whatnot, it was really just a roster of lots of stupid nicknames and gang units and disturbing things I didn't want to know about what people are capable of doing. I found it very arrogant and not at all enlightening like I'd hoped.

I also read My Ox Is Broken (I think Tink read it a long time ago?) which was good...but not great. There were no pictures, so I would read a chapter or two before remembering who Lake or Barry or Tyler were. I think its a book without an audience - if you've watched the Amazing Race there wasn't much new here (there were definitely some new behind the scenes tidbits, but it sounds like he got them all from deleted scenes on the DVDs). If you haven't watched, the book makes too many unexplained references that you wouldn't be able to follow. It was kind of like a photo-less yearbook for The Amazing Race seasons (speaking of which, when the HELL is the new season going to start??)

Let's see....I've also read The Constant Princess, one of the Boleyn-series books by Phillippa Gregory, and while a very good book in its own right, I still think The Other Boleyn Girl was the best of them and I'm always a little let down when the other books can't stand up to it.

Now I'm reading Kevin Smith's "My Boring Ass Life". I'm just barely into it, so no real judgment yet, other than that it is hard to follow his sentence structure.

LonnaSaur

07-26-2008, 07:07 PM

I just finished reading "The Ruins." It was extremely well written and I couldn't put it down but I was disappointed that it wasn't particularly scary. I was hoping for a scary read. The book did, however, manage to depress me for a day or two after I finished it-it made me think too much about mortality. Maybe I should read something light and fun next!

TinkerbellAPixie

07-26-2008, 09:15 PM

Just finished Stori Telling by Tori Spelling. I was too intrigued about it after seeing her promote it on her reality show. Now, it's an amusing read - but it reads like a written version of a reality show in that it skips around from scene to scene without fleshing anything out.

You obviously get a sense that her Mom was a dragon and that her first marriage was a mismatch. I don't think she was entirely fair to her first husband in the book. I was kinda hoping to find a reason to let her off the hook (in my own mind) for being part of breaking up two families. But - her book didn't really give me that reason I was looking for.

It's a quick read and the book has a lot of photos, so that helps.

Now - I'm off in search of the next big read. This one was too light and not at all filling. I need a big solid delicious read to sink my teeth into.

Wayne

07-27-2008, 02:06 PM

Ted DiBiase - The Million Dollar Man

Autobiography of the wrestler Ted DiBiase, quite a good read so far.

Not one of the best one's ive read, don't think any of them beats Mick Foley's first book.

angiemarie

08-20-2008, 12:32 PM

I just finished Odd Hours by Dean Koontz, and it was just OK. The Odd Thomas series is definitely losing some of its charm. Although a golden retriever joined Odd at the end of the last book, so maybe the next will be better.

I've just started Water for Elephants for Sara Gruen. It seems very interesting so far. It reminds me of the HBO show Carnivale, but without any supernatural elements.

here4beer

08-20-2008, 04:21 PM

angiemarie- that book is 10 kinds of awesome. You'll love it!

Shannyt

08-20-2008, 06:03 PM

I just finished the Twilight series. I honestly didn't expect to like them as much as I did, but ended up reading all four books in about a weeks time....., honestly I couldn't put them down. I'm now re-reading the Last Convertible, by Anton Myrer.

lestermaddox

08-20-2008, 08:00 PM

I just finished Greg Iles "Third Degree". It was okay - but some of the scenes were rather jumbled and hard to follow. I usually really like Iles, but this was wasn't his best.

I am getting ready to read "Adam" by Ted Dekker. I have never read him, but this one came highly recommended, so I have high hopes for it.

Jashba

08-24-2008, 08:06 AM

I just read "The Dangerous Days of Daniel X" by James Patterson - it was good, but different coming from Patterson (Maybe that's becuase it's a young adult novel?) I look forward to the next one. It's a new series and has a great sneak peek at the end of this book.

So to continue on my young adult trend, I have decided to read the Twilight series, I'm reading the first one now, and I like it so far.

here4beer

08-24-2008, 12:52 PM

So I've just read Caucasia by Danzy Senna, and it was absolutely fantastic. It's about a pair of biracial sisters who get split up when their parents divorce, and it follows the younger sister who has to pass for white while living with her white mother. Anyone who likes sad, serious books will love this one.

I also read Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon... Two thumbs down for that one.

Wayne

08-31-2008, 02:14 PM

Grisly Trials and Ghostly Tales by Alan Robson

A collection of hauntings from around the North of England, will be reading A Nightmare on Your Street - More Grisly Trails and Ghostly Tales when ive finished this one which covers all the UK and Ireland.

here4beer

09-01-2008, 05:14 AM

I've been reading James Siegel... Derailed, Deceit, and Detour. They were OK; if you like twisty, turny books you should like these, but some of the plot twists were fairly predictable. Of the 3, Detour is definitely best IMO.

narcissistic

09-06-2008, 01:50 PM

I've been trying to read all the general discussion threads on my time off from work. It's taking me fooorever.
I'm mostly into chick-lit books, while I fantasize about Publix yellow cake with buttercream frosting (sorry, severe cravings here!!) and am SUPER excited to watch the Shopaholic movie, though Jenna Fischer or whatever is nothing AT ALL like I pictured Bex to look.
No one mentioned P.S., I Love You as compared to the book, as I see some of you read it. I was terribly, terribly disappointed in the movie but everyone else tells me they loved it, so I don't know if it's just me or because I read the book. Want some opinions, please. :) Also, check out "Love, Rosie" by Cecilia Ahern. I absolutely adore that book.
Currently re-reading "Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married" by Marian Keyes. I'm too broke to buy new books and this one is funny. :) I also hope to re-read Jane Green books, but I think I may have donated them all.

If anyone else is broke like me to BUY every book you want to read, and can't find time to hit the library, go to:

www.booksfree.com

It's like Netflix for books. Pay a monthly fee and get to "rent" books through the mail. I haven't signed up yet (finances are really tight right now :( ) but I fully intend to. :D

lennonwhore

09-06-2008, 06:38 PM

Marian Keyes is a great author! All of her books are funny and witty, great reads!

narcissistic

09-06-2008, 07:20 PM

I picked up Lucy Sullivan and Watermelon when I was on bedrest when I was pregnant. I was also heavily medicated at the time and would have my computer going, reading a book and watching TV so as not to go completely insane, so I figured they deserve a re-read.
I'd like to read some others by her though. I don't know what it is, Irish and English chick-lit books are the best!

ursassygurl

09-08-2008, 03:43 AM

i am a big fan of Tess Gerritsen. i have read all her books, she is the best medical-crime author, i can read her novel in just one seating..here are some of her books i like best:
1. the harvest
2.Mephisto Club
3. Under the knife
4.the surgeon

angiemarie

09-08-2008, 08:17 AM

I just finished reading "The World According to Mimi Smartypants" which was a fun, quick read. After I finished the book, I read that the book was a compiliation of her online diaries. I've been reading them all weekend, they are pretty entertaining. They go all the way back to 1999, so just they're is a bit of nostalgia involved too.

Mimi Smartypants online diary (http://smartypants.diaryland.com/)

For some reason, she reminds me a little of our Rachwho?, they way she writes.

angiemarie

10-20-2008, 05:30 PM

Have you guys ever used this goodreads website? You can rate the books you read and see what other people are reading. If anyone wants to be my goodreads friend, I'm registered as angiemarie over there, too. I would love to see what you guys like to read.

Here's the link

Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com/)

Cherie

10-20-2008, 05:45 PM

angie I joined just now although I am ashamed to say I haven't been reading much lately.

brunettechic

10-23-2008, 08:25 PM

Does anyone read Jodi Picoult's books? I'm obsessed with her right now. In between text books at least...

angiemarie

11-27-2008, 04:42 PM

I would love if JK Rowling would write a prequel to the Harry Potter series. Wouldn't the first war against Voldemort and the Death Eaters make a great story?

LonnaSaur

11-28-2008, 12:27 PM

I would love if JK Rowling would write a prequel to the Harry Potter series. Wouldn't the first war against Voldemort and the Death Eaters make a great story?

Oh, yes yes yes, that would be awesome! We could learn more about the adults in Harry's world and what they were like when they were younger. I would devour any new information about Snape, who was always one of my favorite characters.

Pekmboyd

11-28-2008, 08:26 PM

Yes! I would read books about Harry's world as long as she kept writing them - prequels, sequels, the same books from other points of view - anything.

brunettechic

11-29-2008, 07:27 AM

me too!!!

animalcrackers

12-02-2008, 11:07 AM

i broke down and read the twilight series. my mom & sister had read them when they first came out but i refused. I found them to be enjoyable. they're definitely written towards pre-teen girls but i still really liked them. anyone else?

I'm also reading Wideacre. It by the same author as The Other Boleyn Girl. i'm half way through but its very... interesting... i'll let you know if i liked it when i'm finished with it

JustJesse

12-02-2008, 11:47 AM

i broke down and read the twilight series. my mom & sister had read them when they first came out but i refused. I found them to be enjoyable. they're definitely written towards pre-teen girls but i still really liked them. anyone else?

I've got three more chapters to go in "Breaking Dawn". :) I agree that they are written towards the teens, but I know PLENTY of older people who loved them as well. I've got a friend who just turned 47 last week who has read all four of them three times. Needless to say we went and saw the movie together and she LOVED it!

Wayne

12-02-2008, 02:38 PM

I would love if JK Rowling would write a prequel to the Harry Potter series. Wouldn't the first war against Voldemort and the Death Eaters make a great story?

Well Tales of Beadle the Bard (which was featured in the final book) is out this week, and she's said that if there ever was going to be another book, Harry wouldn't be the main character in it.

animalcrackers

12-02-2008, 05:36 PM

I've got three more chapters to go in "Breaking Dawn". :) I agree that they are written towards the teens, but I know PLENTY of older people who loved them as well. I've got a friend who just turned 47 last week who has read all four of them three times. Needless to say we went and saw the movie together and she LOVED it!

i read breaking dawn in one day! my husband kept yelling at me cause it was midnight and i was still reading. i just kept saying "but i only have 100 more pages to go!". i havent seen the movie yet only because i didnt want it to be MOBBED to teenage girls screaming everytime edward is on the screen. i could probably go now that the hype has died down some.

Pekmboyd

12-02-2008, 05:43 PM

giffordsaz

12-02-2008, 07:50 PM

Great Books, all four of them. I wish she would give a series on the Wolves..... go back 300 years.. how they came to be and how they meet mates... etc.....

I have moved on ... currently I am reading all of the True Blood - Sookie Stackhouse -Vampire Books. I recommend them to you, yes you too. Great read with humor running through the introduction of al sorts of mythical beasts.

JustJesse

12-02-2008, 09:33 PM

Animalcrackers,

You read "Breaking Dawn" in ONE day?!?! That's crazy. Its a long book! I took me awhile to get into though. I liked "Eclipse" best. My friend who got me started on the series lent me her copy of "The Host" today, another by Stephanie Meyer. We'll see if I like it as much.

lestermaddox

12-02-2008, 10:23 PM

animalcrackers

12-03-2008, 03:19 AM

I am currently reading The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver and I am slogging through Pride and Prejudice for my book club. I hve to say that P & P is awful, I just can't stand it. There is a reason that I never read Jane Austin in High School English!

do you like any of the P&P movies? i've never read Jane Austin but i looooove P&P movies! just curious...

giffordsaz

12-03-2008, 05:55 AM

I am currently reading The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver and I am slogging through Pride and Prejudice for my book club. I hve to say that P & P is awful, I just can't stand it. There is a reason that I never read Jane Austin in High School English!
Can you imagine how CollegeBoy felt in high school when he was assigned OVER THE SUMMER to read P & P in Honors English? He was assigned Little Women the year before---by a MALE TEACHER!:scared:

lestermaddox

12-03-2008, 06:45 AM

do you like any of the P&P movies? i've never read Jane Austin but i looooove P&P movies! just curious...

You know - I have never seen any of the P&P movies. I am more of an action flick kind of girl, and I have no interest in watching them. I am going to Netflix one of them though- just to see if it helps me get through the book.

Poor college boy Gif - my college boy was reading Beloved over last summer. It was a struggle!

angiemarie

12-03-2008, 08:07 AM

I am currently reading The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver and I am slogging through Pride and Prejudice for my book club. I hve to say that P & P is awful, I just can't stand it. There is a reason that I never read Jane Austin in High School English!

OMG, I love Pride and Prejudice. There are so many funny parts to that book, and Mr. Bingley is dreamy of course. I'm not so crazy about other Jane Austen books though.

Can you imagine how CollegeBoy felt in high school when he was assigned OVER THE SUMMER to read P & P in Honors English? He was assigned Little Women the year before---by a MALE TEACHER!:scared:

Oh, the horror!!! A boy has to read a book written by a woman! And nothing gets blown up.

Never mind I had to read "The Red Badge of Courage", "Billy Bud", "The Old Man and the Sea" and about a million more mind-numbingly "classic" books by men.

JustJesse

12-03-2008, 09:41 AM

Great Books, all four of them. I wish she would give a series on the Wolves..... go back 300 years.. how they came to be and how they meet mates... etc.....

I heard that she had started a 5th book, but somehow the first 250 pages or so got leaked and so she cancelled it.

lestermaddox

12-03-2008, 02:30 PM

and about a million more mind-numbingly "classic" books by men.

What exactly makes a book a "classic" and who decides? Because from my perspective, most of the classics that I have read are not very good books.

giffordsaz

12-03-2008, 07:54 PM

Poor college boy Gif - my college boy was reading Beloved over last summer. It was a struggle!
MusicBoy had to read Beloved last year as a Junior in high school. As a class they discussed and really got into it.. he could not wait to see the movie after he was finshed... and this is from a kid who hates to read. After seeing Twilight he is now reading the book. I think it is because LuckyGirl (his girl friend) and GirlChild (his sister) are such Edward freaks.

Pegster

12-04-2008, 06:29 AM

I read Twilight at the suggestion of a friend and I thought it was crap. We've been fighting over it ever since. She thinks it's a great book. I told her she obviously needs to read more.

giffordsaz

12-04-2008, 02:11 PM

Peg, did you read all four.. they get better.

chooch850

12-04-2008, 11:26 PM

Pegster

12-05-2008, 05:48 AM

Peg, did you read all four.. they get better.

Surprisingly, no. That crap has taken enough hours from me; it shan't get any more.

lestermaddox

12-05-2008, 03:16 PM

Did you guys see these new versions of the Bible? The one uses celebrity photos like John Lennon & Angelina Jolie to get their point across. I'd like to see one for myself.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97537385

Interesting concept there Chooch, but I think I will stick with my original version.

I don't think the Bible is meant to be a splashy, magaziney coffee table book. There is just something about the concept that kind of seem sacreligous (sp?) to me.

TinkerbellAPixie

12-06-2008, 08:23 AM

You know the expression "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"? I feel like the Bible has done alright over the years. I don't really know that it needed a tune up. But what an ego on the guy who thought he was going to come in and "fix" it.

here4beer

12-07-2008, 05:02 AM

Pekmboyd

12-07-2008, 07:11 AM

I just read Wally Lamb's new book, The Hour I First Believed. I'm sad because his first 2 books were absolutely phenomenal, and I've patiently waited for about 7 years for his new book... and it SUCKED. :(

I recently read She's Come Undone, and I do not get all the praise at ALL. The reviews and jacket quotes were all "you'll root for her" and "uplifting" - what the HELL? What part of that book was in any way shape or form UPLIFTING? I will never read another book of his ever.

LonnaSaur

12-07-2008, 02:03 PM

But what an ego on the guy who thought he was going to come in and "fix" it.

This kind of reminds me of Anne Rice writing about Jesus. I never read that book (I think it's called Christ the Lord or some such nonsense) because she really lost me sometime during Queen of the Damned and certainly by the time ridiculous books like Tale of the Body Thief, Lasher, and Violin came out. Christopher Moore's Lamb is AWEsome, though! Of course, neither Rice nor Moore are trying to retell the Bible.

I recently read She's Come Undone, and I do not get all the praise at ALL. The reviews and jacket quotes were all "you'll root for her" and "uplifting" - what the HELL? What part of that book was in any way shape or form UPLIFTING? I will never read another book of his ever.

I read that book years ago and you're right, it SUCKED. I hated it so much I gave it away to a charity used book sale, and I NEVER do that because I am such a packrat. The only thing I can remember about it was it was awful. Sad that it's the only impression it left on me!

here4beer

12-07-2008, 02:10 PM

uplifting? LOL. his books are all depressing as hell IMO, but I loved loved loved I Know This Much is True. It's about twin brothers, one of whom is schizophrenic. For some reason I love sad books, and that's a great one.

angiemarie

12-08-2008, 08:58 AM

I recently read She's Come Undone, and I do not get all the praise at ALL. The reviews and jacket quotes were all "you'll root for her" and "uplifting" - what the HELL? What part of that book was in any way shape or form UPLIFTING? I will never read another book of his ever.

I really like this book, but I wouldn't describe it as "uplifting" at all. The thing that impressed me was that he managed to write from a female perspective so well. And the whole child sexual abuse leads to overeating leads to abusive adult relationships seemed so plausible and real to me.

I'm reading The Given Day by Dennis Lehane now. It's pretty good so far, very different from his other books.

RachWho?

12-09-2008, 08:56 AM

Ang, I am reading The Given Day right now as well. You and I have frighteningly similar taste in books.

lestermaddox

12-09-2008, 11:52 AM

Oh My Rob!

My bookclub has chosen another Jane Austin for our next book - this time it is Sense and Sensability. I am not sure I can get through another Austin book, the last one just about killed me.

Maybe I should skip the books and head straight for the movie.

Clair

12-09-2008, 12:19 PM

LonnaSaur

12-13-2008, 04:41 AM

Is anyone going to read Tales of Beedle the Bard?

oneLUV

12-30-2008, 10:14 AM

im reading some of my gossip magazines =)

redtop94

12-30-2008, 01:15 PM

angels and demons

brunettechic

12-30-2008, 08:53 PM

Is anyone going to read Tales of Beedle the Bard?

Yes. I will read anything JK writes.

animalcrackers

01-01-2009, 12:18 PM

Oh please let me know how Wideacre is - I haven't had the guts to try something outside of the Boleyn set by that author.

i thought wideacre was very interesting. the plot itself is bizarre and gross and interesting all in one. the book had a lot of detail and description of the land & things like that. i tended to skim over the excessive descriptions sometimes because i just really wanted to know what was going to happen next.

here4beer

04-04-2009, 07:04 AM

I just finished The Handmaid's Tail, a somewhat oldie but goodie by Margaret Atwood. If you haven't read it yet, be sure to do so. It's a phenomenal piece of fiction! It is set sometime in the not-so-distant future, when Puritans take over the United States and put women back in their "proper places." They also have some sick and twisted practices that they utilize to try and increase their population, since many people become sterile in this version of the future. It's freaky and disturbing and an awesome read.

I also finally read Duma Key, Stephen King's new book. 2 thumbs down. It sucks from beginning to end. The guy is definitely losing his touch, which is kind of sad, because even though his early stuff is extremely trippy, it was really well written. Now... I can't remember the last time I read something of his that I actually really enjoyed. :(

Rach and Ang- I recently read The Given Day as well... what did you guys think of it?

dr.birdie

04-04-2009, 08:28 AM

Just finished Joker One. A little dry, but worth the read.

angiemarie

04-04-2009, 12:38 PM

I kind of had to force myself to read The Given Day, the baseball stuff just bored me to tears. And it took a long while until I warmed up to the characters.

I couldn't make myself finish Duma Key. It reminded me of Lisey's Story too much, and that is my least favorite Stephen King book.

RachWho?

04-04-2009, 12:43 PM

I actually couldn't get into The Given Day and gave up about 1/4th of the way through. Too slow, not engaging...and I almost never give up on books.

TinkerbellAPixie

04-04-2009, 07:04 PM

I just finished The Handmaid's Tail, a somewhat oldie but goodie by Margaret Atwood.

Good (but weird) book - - have you seen the movie? It starred Natasha Richardson and Aiden Quinn.

I just started The Shack a gift from my sister who said it changed her life.

here4beer

04-05-2009, 06:54 AM

I actually couldn't get into The Given Day and gave up about 1/4th of the way through. Too slow, not engaging...and I almost never give up on books.

Rach, stick with it if you have the time... it gets much better.

Good (but weird) book - - have you seen the movie? It starred Natasha Richardson and Aiden Quinn.

No, is it any good?

TinkerbellAPixie

04-05-2009, 02:26 PM

No, is it any good?

It's really weird. Faye Dunaway is in it so you know she chews the scenery when she's on screen. Robert Duvall is also in it as is Victoria Tennant (former Mrs. Steve Martin) and some others. If you liked the book you should definitely check it out.

angiemarie

04-05-2009, 07:09 PM

I like the Handmaid's Tale book and movie, I liked the creepy tone of both of them.

(The creepiest thing about the book to me was how they took all the money away from women by just canceling any credit/debit cards that had only females listed on the account. That seriously scared me, being the only breadwinner in my household.)

Clair

04-06-2009, 11:03 AM

The Handmaid's Tale sounds good! I just added it to my Netflix list and I'll ask my daughter to get it from the library for me (she works there).

here4beer

04-27-2009, 07:48 AM

I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy this weekend. It's extremely depressing... none of the characters even have names! The best thing I can say about it is that it's very short and I finished it in no time flat.

I also finally read Mystic River, which was very good, but also very dark.

Now I'm working on another (!!!!!) depressing book. If I stop posting you'll know I've been reading too much and decided to take a nap with my head in my oven.

Clair

04-29-2009, 02:54 PM

I finished reading The Handmaid's Tale. It was an awesome read. Just awesome. Can't wait to see the movie.

TinkerbellAPixie

06-16-2009, 09:55 AM

I am about halfway through the Sookie Stackhouse books. I find I am much more enamored of Eric than of Bill Compton. Now that True Blood is back on HBO I am more disappointed in the casting of Eric. The guy on the show does NOT do him justice.

I also just finished The Host by Stephenie Meyers. I am not really a sci-fi book kinda girl and I am definitely not one for reading about aliens. But I have a rule, I have to give each book at least 3 chapters to hook me. After chapter one I was certain I'd be kicking this book to the curb. Same thing for chapter two. But THEN - chapter three hooked me and I ended up really loving this book. Anyone else read it?

animalcrackers

06-16-2009, 10:23 AM

I also just finished The Host by Stephenie Meyers. I am not really a sci-fi book kinda girl and I am definitely not one for reading about aliens. But I have a rule, I have to give each book at least 3 chapters to hook me. After chapter one I was certain I'd be kicking this book to the curb. Same thing for chapter two. But THEN - chapter three hooked me and I ended up really loving this book. Anyone else read it?

yes i read it and i loved it! when i finished it i was hoping for a sequel but with the ending she gave it you really couldnt so :( to that. but i thought it was an excellent book!

angiemarie

06-16-2009, 10:41 AM

I just picked up the second in the Sookie Stackhouse series from the library. I can't wait to read it!

I'm also reading Lost and Found by Carolyn Parkhurst. It's about a fictional reality show that is very much like The Amazing Race. A very enjoyable read so far.

TinkerbellAPixie

06-16-2009, 10:51 AM

Sounds good - I'll add that to my list.

Clair

06-16-2009, 11:13 AM

I'm re-reading Lonesome Dove (for the bazillionth time). The miniseries was on TV over the weekend and hubby had a question about it, so I offered to look it up for him in the book... one thing led to another and there I was starting Chapter 1.

chooch850

06-16-2009, 11:49 AM

I relived Lonesome Dove over the weekend too. I've red the book at least three times. Did you ever read the sequel?

Here's a little "fun fact" about the mini-series:

The original Lonesome Dove story had been written as a movie script for a 1960s film to be directed by Peter Bogdanovich and star John Wayne, James Stewart, and Henry Fonda, but Wayne turned the part down on John Ford's advice and Stewart backed out as a result, so the movie was abandoned and McMurtry later turned the script into a full-scale novel, Lonesome Dove, which eventually became a television miniseries with Tommy Lee Jones in the Wayne role, Robert Duvall in the Stewart part, and Robert Urich filling in for Fonda. James Garner had been offered Robert Duvall's role in the original miniseries but had to turn it down for health reasons, and eventually wound up playing the part first portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones and originally created for John Wayne in the sequel, "The Streets of Laredo".

Clair

06-16-2009, 11:51 AM

I relived Lonesome Dove over the weekend too. I've red the book at least three times. Did you ever read the sequel?

Yes, I did. I think McMurtry was going for the shock factor in that one. It made me sob and I can't read it again.

lennonwhore

06-16-2009, 01:21 PM

Yes, I did. I think McMurtry was going for the shock factor in that one. It made me sob and I can't read it again.

Me too!

I just finished reading An Arsonists Guide to New England Writer's Homes. hilarious.

PottyMouth

06-16-2009, 03:45 PM

angiemarie

06-16-2009, 03:56 PM

I need to make some time for reading. I have a big stack of books that I bought recently, but haven't read any of them. Every time I sit down to read my little one wants me to read to him. How can I say no?

Aww, you can't say no to the little one! Just make sure you don't read him any of Uncle flipit's naughty recaps.

PottyMouth

06-16-2009, 04:11 PM

Aww, you can't say no to the little one! Just make sure you don't read him any of Uncle flipit's naughty recaps.

Hahaha....I like to read them to him as bedtime stories. That's not inappropriate, is it?

:tonguewag:

animalcrackers

06-16-2009, 04:31 PM

speaking of reading to little ones - anyone have some suggestions for little crackers? everyone brought books to my baby shower and i just ordered goodnight moon and hand, hand, fingers, thumb (which is my niece's fav book). i also order beatrix potter books for her. but i love reading and reading to her so what were/are your favorite books from when you were little?

PottyMouth

06-16-2009, 04:43 PM

AC, my little guy always loved the Eric Carle books along with any board book that had some kind of tactile element to it. Pop up books too - my aunt always finds the neatest ones for him.

There is a really great children's book club that I found when my niece was a baby. I started her membership nine years ago, and now my nephew and son have memberships too.

It's called the Stuart Brent Book Club. I won't go on and on about how awesome I think they are, or what makes them different from other book clubs for kids - check out their website if you're interested, andif you want to talk more about it, let mw know. Obviously I think they're awesome. Here's the site: http://stuartbrent.com

angiemarie

06-17-2009, 07:13 AM

Pat the Bunny is totally awesome.

jennaboa

06-17-2009, 10:14 AM

Just finished a few books and as I have picked up a few good books from scanning these pages, I thought I should post these.

Columbine, by Dave Cullen. (So well-written, but nightmare inspiring. Don't read if you have children or you may never send them to public school.)

The Lost City of Z, by David Grann. (I read this book straight through one Sunday at Book People. Then I bought it and reread it because, wow, what a story. And the best part is, it is all real and not fiction.)

Rapture Ready!: Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture, by Daniel Radosh. (Creepy and fantastic.)

Animal Farm, by George Orwell. (Because I always read it around the Fourth.)

Thank you for all the great book suggestions in this post!

TinkerbellAPixie

06-17-2009, 02:07 PM

i love reading and reading to her so what were/are your favorite books from when you were little?

Pat the Bunny is totally awesome.

The first book that popped in my head was Pat the Bunny. Whenever someone I know is having a baby I buy them a basket of baby books which includes Pat and these other must haves:

I'll Love You Forever (http://www.amazon.com/Love-You-Forever-Robert-Munsch/dp/0920668372/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245276306&sr=1-10) - Robert Munsch
Counting Kisses (nting-Kisses-Kiss-Read-Book/dp/068985658X)- Karen Katz
Goodnight Moon (which was already mentioned)
Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle
The Monster at the End of this Book (http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Birds-Favorites-Board-Books/dp/0375805613)- Jon Stone

For my little niece I got her all the Disney Search and Find books - they are like Where's Waldo but instead you find the Disney Princesses and their sidekicks (they have books based on all kinds of Disney stuff).

Thank you for all the great book suggestions in this post!

This site is a great source for fun reading ideas.

RachWho?

06-18-2009, 05:11 AM

I just finished reading An Arsonists Guide to New England Writer's Homes. hilarious.

I read that after Christmas and I thought it was hilarious too! I could see it being made into a great dark comedy.

I just finished Cutting for Stone. It was excellent, and I think would be well-liked by anyone who appreciated The Poisonwood Bible or The Kite Runner.

animalcrackers

06-18-2009, 06:59 AM

The first book that popped in my head was Pat the Bunny. Whenever someone I know is having a baby I buy them a basket of baby books which includes Pat and these other must haves:

I'll Love You Forever (http://www.amazon.com/Love-You-Forever-Robert-Munsch/dp/0920668372/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245276306&sr=1-10) - Robert Munsch
Counting Kisses (nting-Kisses-Kiss-Read-Book/dp/068985658X)- Karen Katz
Goodnight Moon (which was already mentioned)
Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle
The Monster at the End of this Book (http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Birds-Favorites-Board-Books/dp/0375805613)- Jon Stone

For my little niece I got her all the Disney Search and Find books - they are like Where's Waldo but instead you find the Disney Princesses and their sidekicks (they have books based on all kinds of Disney stuff).

This site is a great source for fun reading ideas.

my cousin gave me i'll love you forever and i hadnt ever read it before. i cried so hard! i did add pat the bunny & monster @ the end of this book, and your other suggestions to her wish list. thanks for the ideas!

and the disney search & finds sound like something my niece would love - she LOVES the princesses! cinderella (or Rella as she calls her) is her favorite!

chooch850

06-18-2009, 03:56 PM

I loved The Poisonwood Bible. I will have to check out your suggestions Rach.

kriskros09

06-19-2009, 08:47 AM

I just finished The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It's good but pretty violent and it's Young Adult which means it's a quick read at least!

It was recommended to me because I liked The Host by Stephenie Meyers (yea the twilight chick) and I HIGHLY recommend that book to anyone who likes a little sci-fi/fantasy stuff.

I just started (today) The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse by Robert Rankin. I've never read his stuff but it was recommended and the name makes me laugh.

animalcrackers

06-19-2009, 05:21 PM

i just finished reading the pokey little puppy - probably the first time i have read it in my adult life. what kind of lesson is it teaching kids? to come home late so you still get dessert & you dont get in trouble? its an odd book.

giffordsaz

06-20-2009, 10:51 PM

I love the Pokey Puppy but did find him tending to piss me off .. seriously, how much don't you listen stupid dog?

I have a fixed computer back friends.. I am pretty ahppy today.

For Mother's Day TheHubby bought me a Sony Electronic Reader.. I am going to finally load it onto my computer tomorrow.. I guess I have to purcahse all my favorite books again.. anyone have a clue on ways to save money using this kind of reader?

abaumga2

06-21-2009, 10:45 AM

Just finished reading Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist. Its a vampire story, and a pretty disturbing book. But I enjoyed it, and am going to get a hold of the movie version soon.

here4beer

06-22-2009, 04:57 AM

I read a few books on vacation, and boy do I wish I had thought to check here first. I just went to the library and sort of picked up whatever looked interesting. The only honorable mentions are The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, which I loved and hated. It's hard to explain; the story itself was beautifully written and was really engaging, but it was an awful, tragic story. Missing Mom by Joyce Carol Oates (who wrote the outstanding We Were the Mulvaneys) was very good.

I also finally got around to reading Slaughterhouse 5, and I really hated it. What is the big deal with that book?

I'm picking up Cutting Stone and the one about New England Arsonists when I return these books today!

TinkerbellAPixie

06-22-2009, 08:17 AM

I am reading a *gasp* Danielle Steele book. I had a friend who told me that I had to read it since I have 4 sisters and could probably relate. The book is titled Sisters.

It got off to a slow start and the guy doing the audio reading (I am listening to it as I commute to/from work) is terrible. But the story is actually getting interesting.

I have a friend at work who races through books super fast - if I tell her I am reading such and such - she gets it and reads it faster (since I am only listening to it in the car) and then she brags about how she finished first. Once she even ruined the ending of a book for me. I could have killed her.

So I have taken a new silent oath to NEVER tell her what I am reading until I have finished it. I don't get why anyone would rush through a book. She read the Sookie Stackhouse books in one weekend. And now she complains that it's all a blur to her - well no shit sherlock.

Clair

06-22-2009, 09:11 AM

Tink, your co-worker sounds like a biotch. I agree with your silent oath.

I just discovered that The Time Traveler's Wife (the movie) is coming out in August!!!!

PottyMouth

06-22-2009, 09:28 AM

I agree with Claire, Tink. I read much faster than alot of my friends, but I never talk about a book with someone unless they've already read it or say they're never going to read it.

here4beer

06-22-2009, 03:02 PM

I just discovered that The Time Traveler's Wife (the movie) is coming out in August!!!!

I KNOW!!!! I've been monitoring the IMDB TTW page for about a year now :blushing:. I'm unbelievably excited even though I have pretty low expectations, if that makes sense. (I don't mean to be negative, but unless the movie is at least 4 hours long I just don't think they can do the book justice).

One thing that makes me sad: no Ingrid.

One thing that makes me happy: Berger from SATC is playing Gomez! YAY!

@ Tink: what kind of asshole ruins the ending for someone? I read really, really fast, too, but I would never "race" to finish a book just to beat someone. I like that read so fast that I forget minor plot points and stuff, because then I can re-read the books that I love pretty often (like TTW! I've read that one about 6 times).

CuJo31

06-23-2009, 07:20 AM

Just finished reading Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist. Its a vampire story, and a pretty disturbing book. But I enjoyed it, and am going to get a hold of the movie version soon.
Watched the movie and really enjoyed it, I think I'm going to go out and pick this up. Actually had no idea it was a book previously..

lennonwhore

06-23-2009, 10:36 AM

Watched the movie and really enjoyed it, I think I'm going to go out and pick this up. Actually had no idea it was a book previously..

Same here, me and the library have a date!

here4beer

06-24-2009, 02:33 PM

len, I just finished An Arsonist's Guide to Homes in New England. What a trip! I loved it.

RachWho?

06-25-2009, 06:10 AM

len, I just finished An Arsonist's Guide to Homes in New England. What a trip! I loved it.

Hilarious, huh? It was such a weird, funny book. That scene where he has the meal on the floor with his kids and in-laws and his FIL keeps calling him "Coleslaw"--I was cracking up!

I think it could make a great movie if done by the right crew. I could see Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the main guy, although he may be too old.

here4beer

06-25-2009, 03:11 PM

Hilarious, huh? It was such a weird, funny book. That scene where he has the meal on the floor with his kids and in-laws and his FIL keeps calling him "Coleslaw"--I was cracking up!

OMG!! Me, too. I am laughing just thinking about that name again.

I also loved the sociopathic bond analysts and the weird English lit professor who called everyone the C word. Good stuff.

lestermaddox

06-25-2009, 07:35 PM

giffordsaz

06-25-2009, 09:18 PM

Has anyone read the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris? They are the ones that True Blood is based on. A friend of mine just sent me the first 5 in ebook, but I am not sure if they interest me enough to read them.

OMG Start now and do not stop! The books are so much more complex than the TV show.. And I love the TV show. Book one is season one.. there are 8 books right now. I absolutely love her writing... I HIGHLY recommend them.. Great Summer read!!!!!!!!!!!

TinkerbellAPixie

06-26-2009, 07:41 AM

lestermaddox

06-26-2009, 07:58 AM

Okay then. I will let you know what I think.

angiemarie

06-26-2009, 08:18 AM

I just wanted to agree with giff and tink. I just finished book 2 and thought it was even better than the first book. I'm eagerly awaiting book 3 from the library.

joangracoffande

06-29-2009, 08:03 PM

I'm reading Fooled by Randomness

TinkerbellAPixie

06-30-2009, 09:02 AM

Welcome to the forums joan - are you enjoying the book?

lestermaddox

07-01-2009, 06:57 PM

I am just about finished with the first Sookie. I will keep reading because you all have assured me that they get better. The writing and pacing in this one are driving me nuts.

TinkerbellAPixie

07-17-2009, 08:32 AM

I'm reading 19 Minutes a story about a boy who goes on a rampage killing people in his school. It's very interestingly woven from the POV's of the Boy, his friend, his Mother, a judge in the town, a police officer and the boy's lawyer. It bounces back and forth in time to show what led up to this violent act and makes you feel pretty sympathetic for the shooter.

angiemarie

07-17-2009, 10:15 AM

Is that a Jodi Picoult book? I think I read that one, if it's the same book it made me very sad.

TinkerbellAPixie

07-17-2009, 12:33 PM

It is! and it is :(

here4beer

07-18-2009, 02:07 PM

Oh, goodness... that book is so good and SO sad. I sort of saw the ending coming a mile away, but it was still a great book.

I'm reading "Public Enemies," the book on which the movie is based. So far, it's really really good.

giffordsaz

07-18-2009, 02:37 PM

Okay guys. My Hubby bought me the Sony Portable Reader System for Mothers Day and I have to say I love it. I read a review here and them go buy the book. The books are not as expensive as the Book store and there are many free titles. The Classics are pretty much all free and then every month they have a selection of about 20 free novels. Current new releases are about 10 - 15 bucks cheaper than the book store. And he even bought a light page that covers the reader so I can enjoy it in the car or bed with out another light sorce! WOW is all i can say!

angiemarie

07-18-2009, 06:40 PM

Thanks for your review, giff. I was curious about those reader thingies.

lestermaddox

07-19-2009, 02:03 PM

Which Sony Gif? The 505 or the 700? I have the money set aside to purchase one, but keep debating whether to get the one with the light or without. I pretty much put the Kindle out of the running because of its ties to Amazon. I hate that it is so singular.

I love ebooks - their convenience is just too tempting. I could spend a whole paycheck buying books!

I just finished a Karin Slaughter - Fractured. It was really good. I kept thinking I had read about the character before, but couldn't place him and then I checked out her website and realized this one is part of a series. I have actually read the first one, but then veered off into another series of hers and had forgotten.

I am also still plodding through the Sookie books. I have finished the first two and am just not getting into them at all.

giffordsaz

07-19-2009, 02:21 PM

Lester. I have the 505. The reader comes with a nice case but my husband bought a case with a light screen in it that lays over the reader. I recommend a light because even sitting in my family room in the afternoon.. with the curtains shut a bit to keep out the hot desert sun.. I need a bit of light. I also like the three different size type. Depending on the amount of light and time of day.. i can read fine with out cheaters...!

PottyMouth

07-20-2009, 11:57 AM

here4beer

07-20-2009, 12:00 PM

Also- I like to read in the bathtub a lot. Will I kill myself if I try it with one of those things? (Keep in mind that I am abnormally clumsy and I surely would electrocute myself if that were possible.)

animalcrackers

07-20-2009, 12:42 PM

Gif, do you miss actually having the book itself? I've gone back and forth on the whole electronic reader thing because I'm one of those weirdos that loves the smell and feel of a book when I am reading it. I think I would miss that.

me too! i love how bookstores and libraries smell! and i love the feel of a new book! you're not alone pottymouth! :thumbup:

PottyMouth

07-20-2009, 02:06 PM

me too! i love how bookstores and libraries smell! and i love the feel of a new book! you're not alone pottymouth! :thumbup:

Phew! My friends all look at me like I have three heads when I say I love the way books smell!!

angiemarie

07-20-2009, 03:06 PM

I love the way books and libraries smell, too!

I think the electronic reader would be nice to have because you could have a bunch of books in one small item. It would really nice to take on trips.

lestermaddox

07-20-2009, 04:41 PM

You are definitely not alone in loving the feel and smell of books Pottymouth. I do too and I will never give up buying paper books all together, but where I live it can take weeks to ship a book. I have had Amazon orders leave Ami 2 days from when I order and then have it sit at the warehouse for 2 or more weeks before it gets here. I hate to wait and I hate to pay the shipping costs. I love the convenience of being able to download the book I want when I want it. I don't have the option of heading to the bookstore for the newest release from my favorite author since my nearest bookstore is more than 300 miles away, unless you count Wal-Mart and then you can make it 100 miles, one way, with no guarantee that the book I want will be there.

As for shocking yourself in the bathtub - nope the readers are not electric, the only place they plug in is your computer.

PottyMouth

07-20-2009, 05:53 PM

Aahhh, it sounds like I need to let go of the thought that the reader would replace my books.

Thanks everyone!

animalcrackers

07-21-2009, 06:19 AM

lester where the hell do you live? siberia??

lestermaddox

07-21-2009, 08:12 AM

LOL - nope just very, very, very rural Colorado. Like so rural we dont' show up on the Denver weather reports! Someday I will get to move and join the world again - please God, make it soon!

TinkerbellAPixie

07-21-2009, 08:21 AM

In Junior High, High School and College I worked in the Library and just loved it. I then worked in a library after college for a few years and I remember one day - back in about 1993 having a debate with a guy over this topic. He was certain that someday books would become obsolete. He said that there would be some sort of device that would allow you to carry hundreds of books electronically. I said I sure hope not - nothing will ever replace the feeling of cracking the spine on a new book and the crisp sound when you turn a page for the first time. Or the worn out binding of a book that's been read over and over and that nice musty smell of old books. Even the crackly sound of the cover on library books is something I cherish.

He thought I was a fool who was romanticizing books - which I readily embraced. I DO romanticize the whole process of reading - not just what I am reading.

I am really delighted that there are other people who feel the same way.

I think there is a place in the world for both types of reading. The ease and convenience of the electronic readers and the comfort of curling up on a rainy day with an old friend.

Hell - I'm just delighted people are reading - no matter what the format. When my sister-in-law (an English teacher) and I went to see Twilight last year and all those tween girls were screaming, squealing and gasping everytime Edward came on the screen, my SIL got tears in her eyes. She said - all of this emotion comes from BOOKS!

Pegster

07-21-2009, 10:28 AM

My thing is that I love to go to the bookstore. I go almost every Saturday (except when I fight it because I'm trying to stave off giving Borders even more of my hard earned moolah), and I just wander around. I'll pick up random books and read the covers and buy whatever strikes my fancy. Some of my favorite books have been discovered by accident. So downloading would be cool for some stuff, but I don't get as amped up over reading amazon.com descriptions. I need BOOKS!

lestermaddox

07-21-2009, 08:26 PM

I need books in my life too Peg and given the option, I would spend lots of time in a bookstore. I love to just go and browse and run my fingers over the books and I love bringing new books home, even though I am fast running out of places to put them. But....I like the convenience of ebooks.

You pushed me over the edge Gif, I ordered the Sony 505 - in navy blue. I can't wait to get it.

angiemarie

07-22-2009, 07:55 AM

I'm so excited for you, lester! It will be so much easier for you to get books between trips to the bookstore now.

ScotyUtah

07-22-2009, 11:15 AM

I just finished reading "Crazy for the Storm". Plowed through it in a day. The writing is smooth and the scenario's are amazing. Check it out.

here4beer

07-22-2009, 02:20 PM

OMFG --- SCOTY! HAI!

I checked out Crazy for the Storm on Amazon and it looks fantastic. Thanks for the recommendation.

TinkerbellAPixie

07-22-2009, 03:39 PM

SCOTY! Hey buddy!

abaumga2

08-02-2009, 10:03 AM

I am taking part in a large group read of David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest this summer. The main website is over at http://infinitesummer.org. Many people taking part in this have already read the novel several times, but since I was only nine years old when it first came out, this is my first read. I am about halfway through this thousand-page behemoth, and I half to say, my feelings so far are pretty mixed. It is a difficult read, one that you have to concentrate on 100% and with a dictionary at your side. Not to mention a couple chapters are written in ebonics and make my eyes want to bleed. The plot is slow-moving and sentences can go on for an entire page. On the other hand, the characters are compelling and the story is full of humor. The back half of the book is supposed to be better than the first, so hopefully I will start enjoying it more.

CuJo31

08-14-2009, 10:16 AM

Staring Moneyball finally. I'd been dodging that one for a while now, I finally broke down.

TinkerbellAPixie

08-14-2009, 12:12 PM

Finished 19 Minutes by Jodi Piccault (it didn't end how I wanted *sigh*) and now about a third of the way through Salem Falls. I am liking it so far - and think that Jillian is a real piece of work. Poor Jack, Poor Peter Houghton. :(

Might choose something a little cheerier for my next book.

lestermaddox

08-15-2009, 10:26 AM

I am toying with The Time Traveler's Wife - I just can't get into it. I kind of want to see the movie, but I want to read the book first.

brunettechic

08-15-2009, 10:44 AM

I am toying with The Time Traveler's Wife - I just can't get into it. I kind of want to see the movie, but I want to read the book first.

Loved the book. Going to see the movie today. The book does start out a little slow though... keep reading, it gets good.

TinkerbellAPixie

08-15-2009, 08:40 PM

You'll have to let us know if the movie was good.

brunettechic

08-15-2009, 10:21 PM

Meh. The movie was ok. Dragged a bit. If they had cut about, 20-30 minutes out, it would have been much more enjoyable.

giffordsaz

08-16-2009, 06:58 AM

Gif, do you miss actually having the book itself? I've gone back and forth on the whole electronic reader thing because I'm one of those weirdos that loves the smell and feel of a book when I am reading it. I think I would miss that.
I don't really miss it.. I can look at the hundreds of dusty book I have stored in bookshelves and plantshelves around here and pick up an old friend anytime I want... but the reader stores the books I purchased the same as I-tunes.. so even if my computer crashes I can get them back.. and I find I am reading more because the books are chaeaper and the light on the reader itself lets me read in the car or in bed with out bothering anyone else. I can slip the thin reader in by bag and read at the dentists office or while I am waiting on kids... it is just soooo mobile.

Also- I like to read in the bathtub a lot. Will I kill myself if I try it with one of those things? (Keep in mind that I am abnormally clumsy and I surely would electrocute myself if that were possible.)
I don't think it has a charge like that.. mine recahrges hooked up to my computer but also has a wall adapter.. much like a new phone. And like a phone I think it would short out the device rather than shock you in water. This is a great reason to buy the extended 'fix it' plan. TheHubby bought mine at Target... not the cheapest place to get the reader..... but the 3 year service plan was 29 bucks.

I think the electronic reader would be nice to have because you could have a bunch of books in one small item. It would really nice to take on trips.Yes, i went to the beach with 10 books, a few of them free from the book site.. and sat in a beach chair for seven hours reading.. straight. All ten books weighed less than a pound and fit in one hand.

I You pushed me over the edge Gif, I ordered the Sony 505 - in navy blue. I can't wait to get it.YEAH!!! when do you get it!!!

TinkerbellAPixie

08-16-2009, 10:29 AM

Wow - you make a compelling case for it Giff. I may have to reconsider it.

giffordsaz

08-17-2009, 01:53 AM

Highly recommended!
It is a conversation starter too.. people honestly want to see it and feel it,,, and you just have to show them it, even if you are reading a free book that you would never pay a dime for in a thirft store... because it has nakid men in it and such. They also give you many, many free classics.. I am going to put one on my reader just for that purpose.. so when someone wants to see how it works they can see Twain on the screen and not just soem slutty romance!

Did I tell you it also stores and displays many pictures you have on your computer and is an M3P player as well..

Squirt

10-11-2009, 01:43 PM

I've been on a supernatural kick since finishing the Sookie series, and just about everything by Charlaine Harris. Read most of Patricia Briggs. I'm moving through some of the young adult vampire lit, just for light reading, PC Cast's series. (I'm saving myself for New Moon).
Has anyone read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? It's next after I finish the latest Kim Harrison. The kids are fascinated with the cover. I hope it lives up to the reviews.

angiemarie

10-11-2009, 01:48 PM

I read Too Many Crooks Spoil The Broth by Tamar Myers. Very funny "cozy" mystery that takes place at an inn in Pennsylvania Dutch country.

I'm about 1/2 way through A Test of Wills by Charles Todd, and it's very good so far. It's a mystery that takes place in the English countryside after World War I. I'm enjoying the very different perspectives of people who actually fought during the war and those who stayed home.

I read Dark Places by Gillian Flynn a few weeks ago. It was really, really good and I didn't figure out the mystery before the end which is always a good thing. Gillian Flynn has an amazing knack for writing about unsympathetic and unpleasant characters and making you care about them.

Pegster

10-11-2009, 08:06 PM

Squirt

10-12-2009, 04:37 PM

Thanks Pegster. I just saw that P&P&Zombies has been "optioned to become a major motion picture"....

Have you read Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters?

I also have Mr. Darcy, Vampyre checked out. I need to quit posting and get reading.

Clair

10-20-2009, 10:33 AM

I just started reading "Angels & Demons". :innocent: & :devil2:

I hope it gets better....

Chrissie

10-20-2009, 01:17 PM

Rereading the Outlander Series by Diana Galbaldon, in hopes that by the time I am done the 7th one, An Echo in the Bone will be out in paperback.

Clair

10-20-2009, 01:23 PM

Outlander :wub: is my favorite book.

I didn't realize her next book was out already. I hope the title (Echo in the Bone) has some significance because it's kinda lame at this point.

Chrissie

10-20-2009, 04:54 PM

Outlander :wub: is my favorite book.

I didn't realize her next book was out already. I hope the title (Echo in the Bone) has some significance because it's kinda lame at this point.

She is supposed to be writing another book after Echo, I want to read some spoilers but than I stop myself because I don't want to know what happens.
I am about a third of the way into Dragonfly in Amber, would be farther but I keep stopping to look up people and places to see if they are real or fiction.

here4beer

11-15-2009, 04:43 AM

I just finished The Increment by David Ignatius. It's sort of a modern day spy novel, but with much more character and story development. It was sooooooo good!!

angiemarie

11-15-2009, 12:35 PM

I've read In The Woods and The Likeness, both by Tana French. They are both pretty good mysteries, but it's the characters who make the books.

here4beer

12-02-2009, 05:36 AM

Hey guys- I adopted a family for the holiday, and I have a 14 year old girl who listed reading as one of her interests. Do you think "Life of Pi" is too depressing/ advanced for a 14 year old? I was also thinking of getting "The Lovely Bones."

Any other suggestions?

Clair

12-02-2009, 09:34 AM

I suppose it would depend on her maturity level. I was immature when I was 14, and I was reading Are you there God? It's me, Margaret. Of course, that book might be too lame for this generation.

angiemarie

12-02-2009, 10:03 AM

I would think The Lovely Bones might be a little too adult, but I haven't read Life of Pi so I don't know about that one.

I do know that there are TONS of YA (Young Adult) novels that are supposed to be pretty good, even grown-ups read them. Twilight series, The Uglies series are supposed to be good, but I haven't read them. I did read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, and I really enjoyed them.

When I was 14-15 yrs old, I was reading Lace by Shirley Conran and anything by Jackie Collins and Judith Krantz. I was totally into trash. lol.

Squirt

12-02-2009, 05:11 PM

Depends on the 14-yr-old and her interests. Once you know her interests, you can find the good stories/books that will appeal to her. Who knows, she may be a rare kid who is into non-fiction:)

Some of my recommendations: The Blue Sword and The Hero and The Crown by Robin McKinley--they're considered YA, but I still love them (and just about anything by her). There's always Tolkein, Anne McAffrey, and Dune by Herbert. If she is into horror, I had read The Shining a couple of years before I was 14 (don't know if that's appropriate, but it didn't do any permanent harm, think;)) ...I won't recommend all the trashy romance novels and harlequins I was reading at that age.

JulieM

12-02-2009, 08:06 PM

OMG Ang, me too. Don't forget Harold Robbins in those trashy novels.

chooch850

12-02-2009, 09:49 PM

Aren't the "tweens" into the vampire love stories right now? My niece is 14 & she lives & breathes these types of books. Definitely love stories even if they don't involve vampires. The trashy novels by Rosemary Rogers are great.

here4beer

12-03-2009, 04:47 AM

Well, she wrote that the Twilight series was her fave, so I'm assuming she has those books already. I read the description for "The Uglies" and it looks really good, but it says it's for 6th grade reading level, so I don't know if that will work. Does anyone know if the Sookie Stackhouse books are any good/ appropriate? I found the whole series on Amazon for 30 bucks!! But I think those may be too adult, too?

Ugh. Maybe I should just get her a gift certificate to Border's and be done with it.

@ Squirt- I read "The Shining" and "Cujo" when I was really young, too... maybe 12 or 13? I had bad dreams for weeks but I loved them! :D

PottyMouth

12-03-2009, 05:12 AM

here4beer,

The Sookie Stackhouse books may have a little too much sex in them for a fourteen year old. And by that, I mean for her parents of course!

I read all kinds of wacky stuff when I was a kid but the sci fi/horror section was my favorite.

If she likes the Twilight series, there are a couple of other series that are young adult that she may really like: The House of Night Series by PC & Kristin Cast, or The Blue Bloods Series by Melissa De La Cruz. Amazon has both series, either by individual book or in boxed sets.

Hope that helps!

here4beer

12-03-2009, 05:45 AM

That's VERY helpful, PM. I'm getting the House of Night series and The Uglies. Done.

Thanks for your help, everyone.

animalcrackers

12-04-2009, 06:52 AM

i dont know if its been mentioned already but i read Hunger Games and Catching Fire - so great! i loved every second & i highly recommend them. My sister told me they are going to be making Hunger Games into a movie soon and there is a third book on the way - YAY!

Squirt

12-12-2009, 04:58 PM

H4B--I remembered 2 age appropriate books (also well written and great adventure stories) for a young adult--if you need/want to get her any other books in the near future, featuring strong young women:

The Island Keeper by Harry Mazer
Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O'Dell

another classic--The Anne of Green Gables Series

angiemarie

12-13-2009, 05:49 AM

I just finished The Magicians by Lev Grossman. It's like an adult version of Harry Potter/Narnia series books. It was so good funny, sad, touching, everything a good fat novel should be.

I also finished Mrs. Kimble and Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh. Both are fantastic. The author can make her characters feel alive and real after just a few sentences. Mrs. Kimble is about 3 different wives of the same man (there are his wives at different times it's not a polygamy novel, lol). Bakers Towers is about a small coal mining town in PA full of immigrant Italians and Eastern Europeans. The characters reminded me so much of the older members of my extended family.

Squirt, I loved The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. I can't wait for the last sequel. Kat is such a great young heroine.

here4beer

12-14-2009, 02:59 PM

I just re-read Caucasia by Danzy Senna. Not sure if I've recommended it before, but it's an amazing book. Anyone looking to read something a little different for the holiday should pick it up!

jeryruse

12-15-2009, 12:42 AM

I'm just finished with "Mugabe" by David Smith & Colin Simpson (1981).

Pekmboyd

12-15-2009, 04:41 AM

I just finished The 19th Wife, which is sort of two stories that skip back and forth - one is about the historical Mormons, Brigham Young and his "19th" wife Ann Eliza who ends up divorcing him and going all over the country denouncing polygamy, and the other is a modern-day story about a 19th wife accused of shooting her husband and the excommunicated son that comes back to solve it.

The historical parts were actually pretty interesting, though the long-winded way people supposedly talked got old pretty fast, but the modern story was a little jarring - the son is gay and graphic and there's a runaway he "rescues" and I just kind of didn't get the point of some of those parts - why include them? What good does it do the story? Overall though, very fascinating book.

Now I'm halfway through The Fasting Girl, which is also a historical book, but about a girl who supposedly lived without food for 14 years or something - it's a ridiculously thorough examination of her symptoms and the diseases doctors of that time had identified and what they diagnosed her with and what she might have had under current medical knowledge, etc etc - and while thoroughly interesting, it really has the feel of a high school term paper where you have to write 10 pages but you only have 2 pages of material so you add a crapload of filler and shrink the margins...now I'm just reading it to finish it, you know?

angiemarie

12-15-2009, 06:00 AM

Now I'm halfway through The Fasting Girl, which is also a historical book, but about a girl who supposedly lived without food for 14 years or something - it's a ridiculously thorough examination of her symptoms and the diseases doctors of that time had identified and what they diagnosed her with and what she might have had under current medical knowledge, etc etc - and while thoroughly interesting, it really has the feel of a high school term paper where you have to write 10 pages but you only have 2 pages of material so you add a crapload of filler and shrink the margins...now I'm just reading it to finish it, you know?

I am so glad I will never have to go to high school again. This sentence made my stomach clench with anxiety, lol.

TinkerbellAPixie

12-15-2009, 06:02 PM

Just finished Change of Heart and Songs of the Humpback Whale and might retire my Jodi Picault obsession for a little while. The endings of both books disappointed me.

I'm reading The Time Travelers Wife for a book club - but being held to 100 pages a week is brutal. I want to keep reading. I hate having to stop and wait. arggh..

Also bought Rhett Butler's People which I am curious about. Been a lifelong GWTW fan (heck I was named for a character from the book) so I am anxious to see what another author does with such a iconic character. Hopefully it won't suck as hard as that awful sequel to GWTW did.

Pekmboyd

12-16-2009, 04:18 AM

I loved Time Traveler's Wife, but it's definitely the kind of book I think you have to read more than once.

here4beer

12-16-2009, 05:33 AM

I loved Time Traveler's Wife, but it's definitely the kind of book I think you have to read more than once.

I agree with Pek. I would read through the whole thing and then re-read the sections you're discussing that week. LOVE that book.

itchy

01-17-2010, 11:38 AM

Just finished reading World Made By Hand, which was a pretty good read.

And right now I'm reading Tom Sawyer-- haven't read this one since I was a little kid. So I'll be reading Huck Finn next.

And then I have the urge to read the Hobbit again. It's been a long time.

Pekmboyd

01-17-2010, 12:25 PM

I'm working on The Yiddish Policeman's Union - this period of unemployment and boredom is leading to a very productive run on my shelf of unread books :)

flipit

01-17-2010, 02:24 PM

just finished "under the dome" by stephen king and now i'm reading a book called "the help", which is awesome. the trouble is, i can't put good books down and then my life starts falling apart around me but I MUST. KNOW. WHAT HAPPENS!!

Hypnotoad

01-17-2010, 06:32 PM

Oh my gosh, Flipit. My mom just finished reading The Help! Ha ha ha! You guys should form a book club.

If I may get sufficiently dorky: I am currently reading "The Spy Who Loved Me" by the awesome Ian Fleming.

flipit

01-18-2010, 02:39 AM

i would get along great with your mom i am sure. we would have a lot to talk about. lol
it's a really good book. how's ian fleming? i hear his books are great. maybe i will pick that up next. my goal is to stop reading the news, because it makes me want to cut myself.

here4beer

01-19-2010, 08:04 AM

@ flipit- if you like Stephen King, I would recommend Mo Hayder to you. Start with "Birdman" and "The Treatment." There's some sick shit in there, but she's a fantastic writer. I just read "Ritual", which was not as good as the other 2. Also- how was "Under the Dome?"

I recently read "Her Fearful Symmetry" by Audrey Niffenegger (she also wrote "The Time Traveler's Wife," which is one of my all-time fave books). It was a total, complete turd. I'm mad that I wasted my time on it!

Squirt

01-22-2010, 05:47 PM

I just finished the Hunger Games--thanks for the recommendation. I've requested the next one in the series from the library.

I'm getting ready for a business trip, so I had the excuse to buy a couple of books (which my county libraries don't haven't purchased, most likely due to the bad economy). I picked up two books from the Kitty Norville series by Carrie Vaughn, and the last Cassandra Palmer novel by Karen Chance.

Yes, I'm still on the the supernatural kick.:o

here4beer

02-04-2010, 04:11 AM

Mila Superstar

02-04-2010, 07:42 AM

flipit's ignoring me

*cries quietly in corner*

Anyway, I've been reading John Irving's new book "Last Night in Twisted River" since forever (I got it for Christmas and I'm actually STILL only about halfway through- usually I read a book in a couple of days) and I'm finding it impossible to get through. Has anyone else read it? Does it get any better?

noo. but i'm reading "the world according to garp" at the moment. it's fun.
but my favorite author is boris vian, especially "froth on the daydream". the characters and the surreal atmosphere is charming and enchanting, even the tragedy is so ... surreal (the girl gets sick because of a flower growing in her lungs) that its really heartcrushing as no realistic fiction could be. also i loved what he did to jean paul sartre in the novel, whom he didn't like. and the author is awesome, even his death is epic (when he watched the movie based on his "american criminal fiction" "j'irai cracher sur vos tombes", which he wrote under the pseudonym "vernon sullivan" he screamed "these guys are supposed to be american? my ass!" and dropped dead! how awesome is that.
my second and third most beloved authors are milan kundera (the unbearable lightness of being) and jonathan safran foer (everything is illuminated, extremely load and incredebly near)

kdognatl

03-02-2010, 10:14 AM

I am currently reading Shutter Island. It is pretty good so far. I am halfway through and I guessed the twist. Now I want to see the movie. I heard it was good. Next up is The Geography of Bliss.

Themiki

03-02-2010, 01:23 PM

Magical Thinking by Augusten Burroughs. I've gotta give it up for a guy who can make my childhood seem normal by comparison. Plus I love the way he writes.

flipit

03-02-2010, 09:53 PM

LOL here4beer i am sorry!! i don't come to the forums often enough cuz I end up spending hours here and not doing my work. for example, guess who's recapping american idol right now? NO ONE.
thanks for the recommend. i will check that out. i have a book by pat conroy called south of broad right now but haven't even started it yet. i wasted a month on some self help bs instead. haha.
just saw shutter island. it was pretty good, but i guessed the twist too! it must be pretty cool to read how all of that is described in the book. it was beautifully made.

here4beer

03-03-2010, 04:28 AM

no worries flipit... ILU!

TinkerbellAPixie

03-03-2010, 05:13 AM

Reading What Came Before He Shot Her and it just makes me sad and frustrated. I keep wanting someone to help these poor kids. Poor Jo-el and Toby :(

Clair

03-03-2010, 07:55 AM

I'm reading The Flame and the Flower which a neighbor gave me (along with about 20 other books). I sort of recognized it from my teen years and remembered it to be pretty good. I'm re-reading it now only because I'm shocked at how BAD it is.

Here is an actual quote from page 142:

With resignation she [dressmaker] glanced up at the Yankee. "Elle est perfection, eh, monsieur?"
Brandon's eyes lifted slowly to his wife's back. "Oui madame. Magnifique."
Heather did not understand the conversation nor did she try.

oh, brother.

flipit

03-03-2010, 11:46 AM

^^^^^^ lolollllll

angiemarie

03-03-2010, 12:29 PM

Clair, that sounds like classic lit to me! lol.

I've just finished re-reading The Serpent Garden by Judith Merkle Riley. I love all of her books. She does such a great blend of historical fiction, fantasy, romance and best of all, humor. The Serpent Garden is about a paintrix (female painter) in Henry VII's Tudor England.

I'm about halfway through Deeper Than the Dead by Tami Hoag. It's about the hunt for a serial killer in mid 80's southern California. It's pretty good so far, and I haven't figured out who is the murderer yet so that's always a good thing.

AnneM

03-03-2010, 01:44 PM

I'm reading "Stop Dressing Your Six Year Old Like a Skank" by Celia Rivenbark. She's like a southern Erma Bombeck. I need a good laugh now and then.

Pekmboyd

03-05-2010, 03:25 PM

I finished Super Freakonomics today, and read Precious, based on the novel Push by Sapphire (so it couldn't just be Push, they had to label it Precious so people would buy it because the movie made it famous).

Loved Super Freakonomics as much as I loved the original Freakonomics - I don't agree with everything they conclude, but I love how it makes you think and look at things in ways you never have before.

Push - not so much. Just really not the kind of book I like to read, and much like I felt about seeing Slumdog Millionaire, I do not believe that 5 minutes of hope at the end makes the entire shitty story "uplifting" and "hopeful" - and the book doesn't even really clearly give you even that. It's also written first person, so the grammar reflects the approximate speaking voice of the illiterate title character, which makes it quite difficult to read. I'm afraid I just don't get why the movie was such a big deal, but at least now that I've read the book I can Netflix the movie and see how it measures up.

I'm on a "books made into movies" kick, so I've got The Blind Side and Dear John up next.

Clair

03-05-2010, 03:29 PM

According to IMDB, this is why Push/Precious is named the way it is:

In 1996, when the book upon which this movie is based was first published, it was titled "Push: A Novel." The film was likewise originally titled, "Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire," but in February 2009, the movie title was changed to Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009) to avoid confusion with the 2009 action film Push (2009). When the novel was republished in 2009, it was as a movie tie-in edition with cover art from the film, a common enough practice regarding books that have been turned into movies. What is unusual about the movie tie-in version of the book is that the book's title had also been changed to the movie's - which means that the book is now called "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," even though it is the novel "Push" by Sapphire.

Pekmboyd

03-05-2010, 04:11 PM

angiemarie

03-05-2010, 04:56 PM

I read the book Push way back in the 90's, and I thought it was disturbing and provocative. I remember at the time reading a review of the book that posited the theory that Precious wasn't supposed to be a character but a composite of all the possible problems of being young, female, black, and poor.

I haven't seen the move, so I have no idea if it's good or not. But I'm glad that the movie was made because at least it wasn't a remake, sequel, based on a tv show, or based on a comic book character,

Clair

03-05-2010, 05:02 PM

I think Towel Head had a similar premise...

AnneM

03-05-2010, 08:19 PM

I'm on a "books made into movies" kick, so I've got The Blind Side and Dear John up next.

I like to read books that were later made into movies too. I recommend "Giant" by Edna Ferber. it's a great book and the movie is very true to the book. The story revolves around a wealthy Texan and his wife and their relationships with their children, friends, hired help and a young man who hits it big in the oil business. The movie is great too.

here4beer

03-06-2010, 07:14 PM

I finished Super Freakonomics today

I'm so jealous!! I've been on the waiting list at the library for this book for more than 2 months now and I can't wait to read it.

Personally, I loved Precious (the movie) and hated Push (the book). I saw the movie first, so I though the book would be excellent, but I thought it was almost too difficult to read, which is weird. The only other time I can remember this happening is with The Color Purple.

flipit

03-07-2010, 01:19 PM

i really loved color purple. thought it was brill. the movie was great too. i agree with pek re knowing that precious is fiction kinda waters it down for me. not that i would hope anyone would have really had to go through that in life, but i assumed it was true when i saw it and that made it a lot more powerful.
last night i did an oscar spoof show and did a musical version of mo'nique's speech at the welfare office. it was super wrong.

going to read some christopher moore today. do you guys read him? he's crazy and hilarious.

what is freakonomics? i have heard great things about it but it sounds like math so i'm skerd.

Pekmboyd

03-07-2010, 02:30 PM

what is freakonomics? i have heard great things about it but it sounds like math so i'm skerd.

Given my math geekiness, I'm probably the worst judge of this one, but I'd say it's interesting even for the non-math geek. Yes, they contain math, but the authors are really telling stories about what the math tells us, if we look at it in a different way - and it is very very fascinating, even if you disagree with their conclusions (for example, in the original Freakonomics they have a chapter that basically concludes that the legalization of abortion resulted in a drop in crime rates 15-20 years later)...but watching how they get there is more interesting than where they get, if that makes sense.

TinkerbellAPixie

03-07-2010, 04:30 PM

OK - just finished What Came Before He Shot Her. Hated the ending! Hated it. Want to go back and unread the damned thing :(

flipit

03-07-2010, 08:15 PM

i'm in, pek!
and tink, isn't that an anne rule book?

TinkerbellAPixie

03-07-2010, 08:32 PM

Nope - it's Elizabeth George. I Do Not recommend it. Unless you like a book with a suckass ending.

flipit

03-07-2010, 08:36 PM

i hate that! that's how i felt about that book the dome. it was a giant book and took forever to get through and when it ended i was like "OH NO HE DID NOT JUST DO THAT TO ME!!"
i feel your pain!!

TinkerbellAPixie

03-07-2010, 08:37 PM

That's it EXACTLY!

blazergirl

03-07-2010, 08:57 PM

I'm on a "books made into movies" kick, so I've got The Blind Side and Dear John up next.

I just wanted to give you a heads up on The Blind Side in case no one has told you about it. I read it a year or two ago and it is a very different combination of pure football info and the story of Michael Oher. It starts just talking about the history of football and the position of the left tackle (Michael's position) and after a couple chapters, starts with Michael's story. Then every now and then, there will be a chapter back to the history of football. I am a huge football fan and the pure football sections got even a bit overwhelming for me. However, the actual story was great and the movie was quite true to it.

Just a little info since it's a bit oddly laid out, but you should enjoy the story regardless. Did you see the movie?

shantigal

03-07-2010, 09:27 PM

You On A Diet - Dr. Mehmet Oz. It's a comedy.

Pekmboyd

03-08-2010, 04:31 AM

I just wanted to give you a heads up on The Blind Side in case no one has told you about it. I read it a year or two ago and it is a very different combination of pure football info and the story of Michael Oher. It starts just talking about the history of football and the position of the left tackle (Michael's position) and after a couple chapters, starts with Michael's story. Then every now and then, there will be a chapter back to the history of football. I am a huge football fan and the pure football sections got even a bit overwhelming for me. However, the actual story was great and the movie was quite true to it.

Just a little info since it's a bit oddly laid out, but you should enjoy the story regardless. Did you see the movie?

I just finished it yesterday, and you're completely right, it is WAY more technical football talk than I expected - it was all pretty interesting, but definitely took some focus to get through. I got a little irritated at a few points where it was clear the author expected you to know more about the history of football than you do, but overall it was still a good book.

I haven't seen the movie, I thought the previews made it look really schmaltzy - but now that I've read it I'll be more likely to watch it.

Pekmboyd

03-08-2010, 04:32 AM

OK - just finished What Came Before He Shot Her. Hated the ending! Hated it. Want to go back and unread the damned thing :(

Um...I'm guessing at the end he shoots her?

here4beer

03-08-2010, 05:58 AM

what is freakonomics? i have heard great things about it but it sounds like math so i'm skerd.

The only math I can do is clearance sale math (I can calculate the hell out of a % off!), and I still loved Freakonomics. It's reallty not math-y at all, and it's a fantastic read. The chapters are titled things like "What Sumo Wrestlers and School Teachers Have in Common," "Why the KKK like is a Real Estate Agent," and "Why Do Drug Dealers Live With Their Moms?" If that doesn't convince you to read it, I don't know what will. :D