Robin M Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 Well, I'm still working on Don Quixote. :glare: I don't dislike it, but I feel like it is just so wordy...like everything could be said in less time. I guess that's part of the whole difference in era. II'm going to have to find something at the library for this week, because I know I'm not going to finish Quixote this week. I don't know why, I like the story, but it is just dragging for me and I'm having a hard time willing myself to pick it up and continue. :tongue_smilie: It has a lot of repetition to it and does drag in the 2nd half. Definitely read something else in between to take a break. Book 4: Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel I read it this week because I saw it on someone's list and I absolutely loved Life of Pi. I didn't know Yann Martel had written another book. I jumped right into it without reading any reviews or summaries. I didn't even read the the inside jacket blurb. It was a very clever book. This is the first time I can recall wishing I had someone to discuss the book with right after I read it. You have to read the Life of Pi first and then read some reviews to understand that Yann Martel was inundated with letters from people who thought that the story of Pi was real. It was so real to them that they got angry when they found out it wasn't. They felt decieved. Knowing all that is necessary before reading Beatrice and Virgil. The story is a puzzle within a puzzle, a book about itself. In spite of the morbid subject matter, I was very impressed. I loved Life of Pi. Beatrice and Virgil not so much. It was way too morbid for me. I don't think it's necessary to read Life of Pi first. One doesn't have anything to do with the other. Or did I miss some symbolism? I finished Dead Until Dark, but since it was pure twaddle I didn't write a review. I didn't care for it and will probably not read the rest of the series. I did learn today that there is a TV show based on the book - is it any good? The tv show is super bloody and I didn't like the actress they picked for Sookie. She didn't do the part justice. I'm not sure about Ahab's Wife...is it necessary to have read Moby Dick first to really get the most from the book? And I'm sure I couldn't keep up with a fast reading schedule ....but I'm tempted! No, you don't have to read Ahab's Wife first. Jennifer loved Ahab's wife so much, we decided to read it first before tackling Moby. We'll probably take Moby Dick more slowly. It is a difficult read. Maybe this was my problem. I had attempted to read "Beatrice and Virgil" but had not read "Life of Pi." I did not like B & V, thought it was the silliest book I had ever read. I really wanted to enjoy it because I think Martel is a very gifted writer but B & V just didn't make sense to me. Maybe I need to read "Life of Pi" first. Anyway, I finished "The 39 Steps" by John Buchan (it was so-so) and am now in the midst of Book #4 "Watership Down" by Richard Adams. So far, wonderful book. Life of Pi is completely different from Beatrice and Virgil. Pi was much more interesting. B & V was just icky to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 No, you don't have to read Ahab's Wife first. Jennifer loved Ahab's wife so much, we decided to read it first before tackling Moby. We'll probably take Moby Dick more slowly. It is a difficult read. How did we get on Ahab's Wife? It's been a few years since I read it. I do know that I started tackling Moby after reading AW because I felt like I had a better grasp of the book at that point. But I gave up. I do love Ahab's Wife but someone else must have mentioned it too. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 My son requested that I read the YA novel Leviathan since he wanted to discuss the author's alternative WWI storyline with me. Scott Westerfeld has created a rather fascinating "Steampunk" world--I can see why my son loves it. He feels that the storyline is weak though and would love to see a stronger plot set in this alternative universe. I am also half way through Adam Gopnik's From Paris to the Moon, a collection of essays previously published in the New Yorker describing Parisian life of an American couple and their infant. Being in a Parisian state of mind, I plan on following this with a Common Reader (anyone remember that wonderful book catalog) reprint of Our Hearts were Young and Gay, a memoir of two young Americans in Europe in the 1920s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd293 Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 We're still on holiday here in Australia, so I've been revelling in the holiday reads: #2 The Voice of the Violin by Andrea Camilleri # 3 The Three Evangelists by Fred Vargas #4 A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley All three were crime novels. The first is a translation of a book from a popular Italian series about the difficult, food-loving Scicilian Inspector Montalbano who often has his own ideas on how the law should operate. The second is by a French historian and archeologist, and her interests are reflected in the storyline, with three of the protaganists being out-of-work history graduates specialising in pre-history, the Middle Ages and WW1 respectively. Their areas of study are often used as metaphors for their personalities and actions. I find that most crime novels I read are really about the personalities, rather than the actual crime, but this one had a well-developed mystery as well as fun characters. My third crime read of the week was another visit with our favourite young chemist and crime fighter, Flavia de Luce. Back to serious stuff this week - I'm going to work on Finding Darwin's God by Kenneth R. Miller and Gilgamesh, translated by Stephen Mitchell. DD11: #3 Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters - Rick Riordan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 How did we get on Ahab's Wife? It's been a few years since I read it. I do know that I started tackling Moby after reading AW because I felt like I had a better grasp of the book at that point. But I gave up. I do love Ahab's Wife but someone else must have mentioned it too. :001_smile: How soon we forget. In the "we're doing is all over again thread" Quote: "I intend to read some fluff and force myself to read something I'd rather not - like Moby Dick. HATE that book. But what I'm going to do to try and make myself like it more is reread Ahab's Wife first. I remember reading AW and thinking, "Ok, now I get what/why Melville was writing it that way." So I'm going to try to make peace with a book I've been fighting with for 20 years. :lol:" This started the discussion about MD and Ahab's Wife and kind of snowballed from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 How soon we forget. In the "we're doing is all over again thread" Quote: "I intend to read some fluff and force myself to read something I'd rather not - like Moby Dick. HATE that book. But what I'm going to do to try and make myself like it more is reread Ahab's Wife first. I remember reading AW and thinking, "Ok, now I get what/why Melville was writing it that way." So I'm going to try to make peace with a book I've been fighting with for 20 years. :lol:" This started the discussion about MD and Ahab's Wife and kind of snowballed from there. What can I say? I'm old, honey! :lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I read I Think I Love You by Allison Pearson. It's very fluffy and very funny. I would definitely recommend it as a great light read. I also read a thriller/mystery The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman and am currently reading Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George (the newest in the Inspector Lyndley series). They've all been good but I think it's time for me to move on to something a little meatier. I did start The Death of Adam by Marilynne Robinson. I count two of her books (Gilead and Home) as among my all time favorite books so I'm looking forward to these essays. Read in 2012 1. The Christmas Memory by Truman Capote 2. The Piano Teacher by Janice Y. K. Lee 3. Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James 4. I Think I Love You by Allison Pearson 5. The Most Dangerous Thing by Laura Lippman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thessa516 Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 My son requested that I read the YA novel Leviathan since he wanted to discuss the author's alternative WWI storyline with me. Scott Westerfeld has created a rather fascinating "Steampunk" world--I can see why my son loves it. He feels that the storyline is weak though and would love to see a stronger plot set in this alternative universe. I'll look for your review. I have it on my to-read list. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silliness7 Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I started Ahab's Wife today. Enjoyed the beginning very much but then it got all anti-religious and then it got weird and then it got sloooowwww. That's a lot for 60+ pages. Hope to read 30 more before I turn in but I've already fallen asleep once over it. Phantom of the Opera is still sitting on my stack. I do enjoy it but haven't been able to tear myself away from my knitting long enough to keep at it. And now, I've got Ahab's Wife to contend with and no audio for that either. :glare: I started two new books hopefully to finish this week, both on audio, 1776 by McCullough and On the Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck. I'm listening to Peck after supper, mainly with my 2nd son, but others pop in from time to time. Finished Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith. It struck me as I was listening to this one that it is a lot less mystery and a lot more character driven. I love the characters and their lives and culture so I love this series (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency) However, it could be a bit of a disappointing read if you're looking for a thriller of a mystery. It reminds me of Jan Karon's Mitford series. We also finished our Little Women read-aloud. Tomorrow we start Chasing Vermeer by Balliett. My oldest son says it's not that good, but we're going to try it anyway. The library is having a program in a couple of weeks based on this book and though I don't think you have to read the book to enjoy the program I'm sure the kids will enjoy it *more* if they have. Hope it's a good read. 2012 Year in Review. Week 1: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Week 2: Little Women by Lousia May Alcott Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iona Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 1. wwz The next three I finished this last week, but I had started them in 2011 2 wanderings of odysseus 3 how to read a book (though I don't know how *well* I read it) 4 well educated mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I'll look for your review. I have it on my to-read list. :001_smile: Oops--I wasn't clear that I had read Leviathan. As noted, the alternative world described is completely fascinating. There are amazing animals that function as machines--as well as amazing machines of war. There is the prince who is avoiding capture, the girl who pretends to be a boy so that she can join the Air Force, a scientist who is Darwin's granddaughter, lots of scheming, action, and foreshadowing of events to come. The book is fast paced. My college aged son read the third in the series over the holiday break which lead to a discussion of the alternative reality the author created. The next thing I knew, someone slipped the first in the series (Leviathan) into my library book bag which I thought was kind of cute. My son's wish is that someone else who is a stronger writer would take Westerfeld's world and write a more complex story in that setting. Of course, my son is older than the target market of the book. But I think that I agree with him. The alternative reality is thought provoking but the story could certainly be more fleshed out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvasMom Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I started Ahab's Wife today. Enjoyed the beginning very much but then it got all anti-religious and then it got weird and then it got sloooowwww. That's a lot for 60+ pages. Hope to read 30 more before I turn in but I've already fallen asleep once over it. I didn't see it as anti-religious at all. Una's father was definitely spiritually abusive and her views of religion are a result of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildiris Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I read I Think I Love You by Allison Pearson. It's very fluffy and very funny. I would definitely recommend it as a great light read. Is this about David Cassidy and the Partridge Family? Google says, "Yes." I recall an interview with Pearson on the radio. Both she and the book sounded funny months ago. Thanks for jogging my memory; I'll remember this for a good light read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 This week it is: Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Being in a Parisian state of mind, I plan on following this with a Common Reader (anyone remember that wonderful book catalog) reprint of Our Hearts were Young and Gay, a memoir of two young Americans in Europe in the 1920s. I remember the A Common Reader catalog and bemoan its demise. I still have a few of their catalogs lurking around here; they have sentimental value. (Bas Bleu is another pleasant book catalog though different from A Common Reader.) Regards, Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjgrubbs Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I finished The Vikings by Elizabeth Janeway this week. You can read my review here: http://www.chantelleg.blogspot.com/2012/01/vikings-by-elizabeth-janeway.html I'm still working on Books to Build your Child's Character, A Midsummer Night's Dream and I started Ahab's Wife. I do like it so far, but it will probably take me a few weeks to finish it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane Elliot Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I finished Little Bee by Chris Cleaveand and began The Narnian by Alan Jacobs. Little Bee is a poignant, beautifully-told story, amazing and perfect in almost every way until the ending, or rather the complete lack of ending. How dare he! Authors should be kind to their readers! At first, I thought it was an error in the Kindle formatting (like maybe the publisher had forgotten to type several chapters), until I read in the “Author Q&A†that Mr. Cleave didn’t end the story because he was going for the “stone in [her] shoe†effect. I would just like to say to Mr. Cleave that I don’t like having stones in my shoes; this is something I go to great lengths to avoid. And when I pay $11.99 for a book, by golly I want the whole story! I hope in time I can get over this and just remember the great times I had with this book, but until then I am extremely miffed. Note: I am not one of those people who has to have every story line neatly tied up at the end. Wondering what became of Pip and Estella or Scarlet and Rhett gives me something to think about while I’m folding the laundry. I don’t even mind when an author leaves the reader hanging to ensure the sales of his sequel. Brock and Bodie Thoene made a heap of money off me that way when I was in my twenties and didn’t have much money to spare. Little Bee’s ending, or non-ending, was different from any of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughing lioness Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I finished Little Bee by Chris Cleaveand and began The Narnian by Alan Jacobs. Little Bee creeped me out. And yet I read to the end. Just finished Imperfect Birds by Lamott. The ending was not conclusive but very satisfying. I could not be her kind of Christian but I love her ability to create believeable, real characters. And I think she does a great job of capturing a culture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 I didn't see it as anti-religious at all. Una's father was definitely spiritually abusive and her views of religion are a result of that. I didn't see it that way either. And don't want to get into too much at this point and spoil the story for anyone, but suffice it to say, I see it as she didn't like having her father's viewpoint forced on her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Last of the Wine. Pretty depressing overall. I mean, I knew the history, but as always historical fiction brings the period alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ. Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Currently Reading: 4. Wizard and Glass, Stephen King 3. Ahab's Wife, Sena Jeter Nasland 2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, JK Rowling (read aloud) Finished: 1. The Waste Lands, Stephen King Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readinmom Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Starting Ahab's Wife. I'm alternating that with Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'Easter by Lisa Patton. I finished the Beverly Lewis Rose Trilogy yesterday. I really enjoyed the story line. It would be considered light reading by some, but a nice change of pace. Finished: Week 2: 6. The Judgment, Beverly Lewis 5. The Mercy, Beverly Lewis 4. Invisible, an Ivy Malone Mystery, Lorena McCourtney 3. Oedipus Rex, Sophocles Week 1: 2. The Next Always, The Inn at Boonsboro Trilogy, Nora Roberts 1. Chi Walking: The Five Mindful Steps for Lifelong Health and Energy, Danny Dreyer __________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Robyn Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Finished The Scarlet Pimpernel this week and enjoyed it, and also Tehanu, the fourth in Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea series. I started Malcolm Gladwell's What the Dog Saw yesterday. Need to find something else to read on the treadmill to take my mind off running--What the Dog Saw looks a little too thick for the stand. How are you liking the Earthsea series? I loved the series, but Tehanu was my least favorite of the books. This week I finished two books. 2.) Battle of Skandia (Ranger's Apprentice 4) by John Flanagan 3.) Land of Lincoln by Andrew Ferguson - This book is a little about Lincoln himself and a lot about people and places that are affected by Lincoln (more affected than most): collectors, buffs, impersonators, museums, memorials, historical sites, etc. I wanted to read a non-fiction book about Lincoln before reading Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, but I wanted something with a difficulty level and length that matched my interest in Lincoln (mild). I had given up until I saw this and it was a perfect fit. This week, among other books, I'm starting A Chicken in Every Yard which arrived unexpectedly as a gift starting the fun of our 52 Books wishlist exchange! I am so glad to actually own a physical copy of this book, rather than borrowing it or having it on my Nook. It has many color pictures and will make a good reference book after I've read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 How are you liking the Earthsea series? I loved the series, but Tehanu was my least favorite of the books. I loved everything but Tehanu -- I had serious trouble finishing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molly Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Completed in 2012: 1. Four Houses & a Marriage by Clair Ni Aonghusa 2. One Life by Rebecca Frayn 3. What Katy Did at School by Susan Coolidge 4. A Cup of Tea by Amy Ephron Not sure what I'm going to read next, have two or three options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 #3 Coriolanus (William Shakespeare; play, classic) I just saw that there is a modern version of this coming out as a movie this month.... http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2668665881/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Little Bee is a poignant, beautifully-told story, amazing and perfect in almost every way until the ending, or rather the complete lack of ending. How dare he! Authors should be kind to their readers! At first, I thought it was an error in the Kindle formatting (like maybe the publisher had forgotten to type several chapters), until I read in the “Author Q&A†that Mr. Cleave didn’t end the story because he was going for the “stone in [her] shoe†effect. I would just like to say to Mr. Cleave that I don’t like having stones in my shoes; this is something I go to great lengths to avoid. And when I pay $11.99 for a book, by golly I want the whole story! I hope in time I can get over this and just remember the great times I had with this book, but until then I am extremely miffed. Note: I am not one of those people who has to have every story line neatly tied up at the end. Wondering what became of Pip and Estella or Scarlet and Rhett gives me something to think about while I’m folding the laundry. Little Bee’s ending, or non-ending, was different from any of that. :iagree: :iagree: :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Is this about David Cassidy and the Partridge Family? Google says, "Yes." I recall an interview with Pearson on the radio. Both she and the book sounded funny months ago. Thanks for jogging my memory; I'll remember this for a good light read. Yes, the story centers around two Welsh girls in the 1970's who are huge David Cassidy fans. The second half is when they are adults and discover they won a contest to meet him as kids but never knew it. They contact the magazine that offered the contest and claim their prize (a trip to meet Cassidy). But like Pearson's other novel (I Don't Know How She Does It) it's more about all the various relationships (mother-daughter, best friends, first love). It is a little bit about the whole celebrity worship phenomenon. I though it was funny and managed to feel very real although some of the plot is unrealistic if you think about it too much. Not a book that you need to think about too much though. :) I remember the A Common Reader catalog and bemoan its demise. I still have a few of their catalogs lurking around here; they have sentimental value. (Bas Bleu is another pleasant book catalog though different from A Common Reader.) I used to look forward to reading the A Common Reader catalog cover to cover in med school and residency. I didn't have the money to buy many books and I didn't have a ton of time to read other than for school but I loved the catalog for itself. I messed up the quotes but for whoever was talking about Henrietta Lacks, I completely agree. It was definitely one of the best books I read in 2011 and I think it's one of the best books about medicine and medical ethics I've ever read. Question: Anyone with a recommendation for a good biography of George Washington? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I am now trying to find something else to read in the paranormal/fantasy genre. Might do some re-reads now. Finished Night Huntress series and some short stories. Started Michael Grant's, Gone series. Not really into them. Started to re-read City of Bones, not really into that either. sigh, just can't settle in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom22es Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 This week I finished All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. It was quite an easy read, but engaging. I really enjoyed it. I have started Persuasion by Jane Austen which is my favorite of her novels. I was planning on taking a break from Austen for a while, but I am still recovering from Elegance of Hedgehog which I read in December and I really wanted to read another book or two with happy endings. I would like to get my hands on a copy of Ahab's Wife in the next few days, but I'm not sure I can this week. I'm also reading St. Augustine's Confessions, but this is rather slow going and I don't expect to have it finished this week. 52/52 2. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot 1. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Question: Anyone with a recommendation for a good biography of George Washington? I read His Excellency several years ago, before a trip to Virginia. It's well-written, and I learned a lot, but it's not a huge book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumping In Puddles Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 For week 3, I'm continuing Ahab's Wife and starting A Perfect Mess: The hidden benefits of Disorder - How Crammed Closets, Cluttered Offices, and on-the-Fly Planning Make the World a Better Place Week 2: Little Heathens (and started Ahab's Wife) Week 1: Water for Elephants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 (edited) I finished 2. What the Night knows by Dean Koontz 3. Healing the New CHildhood epidemics by Kenneth Bock, M.D. and Cameron Stauth last night and started 4 new books (yeah it's one of those weeks where 1 book isn't enough) They are 4. Little Sugar Addicts: End the Mood swings, meltdowns, tantrums and low self-esteem in your child today By Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph. D. 5. Smart but Stuck: Emotional Aspects of Learning Disabilities and imprisoned Intelligence by Myrna Orenstein, phD 6. When the Brain can't hear: Unraveling the mystery of auditory processing disorder by Teri James Bellis, Ph. D. 7. Glasshouses:the morganville vampires" By Rachel Caine(that one is my brain candy this week to round out the 3 non-fiction titles. Also continuing our read alouds 8. The Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark 9. Seaman: The Dog who explored the west with Lewis and Clark Heavy reading week, I imagine most of these titles will spill into next week. With so many non-fiction I have to have many on the go so that I have time to process what I am reading in each one without skipping reading altogether. I am still waiting on Ahab's wife to arrive at the library I hope it will be in Thursday book drop. 1. King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry: The story of the Godolphin Arabian Edited January 16, 2012 by swellmomma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I read four Dexter books last week and this week I'm reading Comes a Horseman, and continuing on with Lonesome Dove. Waiting for Ahab's Wife from the library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I loved reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. I guess I read that about 20 years ago. I also really like his book, The City of Falling Angels. Two books about two cities I really love- Savannah GA, and Venice, Italy. I am finishing another mystery and then I am not sure what I am doing. I have a book I didn't like in the first reading that I am supposed to reread for a book club meeting- Confederacy of Dunces. Then I have a book I need to read for the mystery book club. I also took out a book that the mystery book club all rated as the worst mystery they have read. I thought I might read a bit of that and see how bad the writing is. I have some classics I want to read but am not sure which one to start first. I would like to read All the Kings Men but it is long. I also have Wise Blood, Things Fall Apart,Never Let Me Go, The Heart of the Matter and War and Peace on the bookshelf along with the Barchester Chronicles. I saw the Masterpiece Theater version of these in the 1980's I think and I loved them so I thought the book may be well worth reading. See how long they have been on my bookshelf? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyable Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 This week's book for me is Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst. I have finished it but haven't put up a review yet. The book spoke to me this month because we are all giving up gluten so I'm dealing with craving things I can't eat. I took Ahab's Wife out of the library, and stopped after a page. It looks like a book I would *love* in another place in my life, one where I'm not being woken up multiple times a night. ;) I'm going to read some other books I have first, and if I can make a valiant attempt at it, I will. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbholly Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 In week 2, I read Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami. It did take most of the week to read. The plot was weird, but interesting. I liked it enough that I'll try some of the author's other works. I am going to give Ahab's Wife a try. Just started it yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maus Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Book #4 - "Flash and Bones" by Kathy Reichs. Love how she works in real facts about different organizations into most of her stories. This time, it was the history of NASCAR. We have a friend/former co-worker who is a NASCAR fan, so I kept thinking of her while I was reading. Book #3 - "Spider Bones" by Kathy Reichs. Book #2 - "One Corpse Too Many" by Ellis Peters. Book #1 - "A Morbid Taste for Bones" by Ellis Peters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosyl Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 So far in week 3 I have finished 5)The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory. I wasn't impressed overall. The recipe suggestions were good. 4) A Wedding Quilt for Ella by Jerry Eicher 3) Longing by Karen Kingsbury. 2) Little Women by Alcott 1) Midummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forbothmykids Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 In week 2 I finished: 5. The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook (Erin Chase) 6. Sense & Sensibility (Austen) This is my third or fourth time reading Sense & Sensibility and I love it more each time I read it. Of her novels, I think it's solidly in second place for me. I just love the humor in it. Then I had to watch the Emma Thompson film and enjoy myself some Alan Rickman. How can a man who barely moves his mouth speak so beautifully? This week I am reading Kids Are Worth It by Barbara Coloroso, and continuing with The Well-Educated Mind. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvnlattes Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I'm already behind but hoping I can catch up this week. This week I'm reading A Red Herring with Mustard by Alan Bradley. This is my second Flavia de Luce book and I'm undecided on whether or not I'm a fan. I'll know by the time I finish. Book 1 was Circle of Lies by Douglas Alan. This is a page-turner that reminded me of The Firm in some ways. The book had some editing issues which surprised me, missing words, to instead of too, etc. Overall I enjoyed it even if the ending was a little lacking imo. My plan has been to complete the A to Z challenge this year but I'm not sure what I think about that. I had a completely different book selected for the "B" author but it didn't come in in time so I went with the Bradley book. Now the other book is here and I can't read it because I'll be moving on to "C" next :glare: . I might just bail and read whatever suits my fancy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Almost done with Stephen King's book-can't put it down!! So far this year: Thirteen Reasons Why Welcome to the Goon Squad State of Wonder Sh*t My Dad Says Living Oprah What’s So Amazing About Grace 11/22/63-currently reading LOVE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Then I had to watch the Emma Thompson film and enjoy myself some Alan Rickman. How can a man who barely moves his mouth speak so beautifully? Denise :iagree: Dd's favorite Austen hero is Col. Brandon. She is a huge fan of Alan Rickman in Sense & Sensibility and Harry Potter. de Luce Please tell me how I should be pronouncing this?!? I've read the first two and just love Flavia! However, it always bothers me that I have no idea how to pronounce this. I am in the middle of two books and haven't had time to finish either!! Dh decided to rip out the sink in our master bath and I've been busy priming and painting the counter top(and running to Lowes) so we can put a new sink in. It has eaten up all my free time for the last 4 days. :glare: Younger dd is almost finished with her 2nd book. She has 3 going right now!! Older dd has read at least three so far. I'll post their books when I get around to finishing mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvnlattes Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Almost done with Stephen King's book-can't put it down!!11/22/63-currently reading LOVE Good to know. I've been looking at that one. I'll add it to my list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thessa516 Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I finished Garden Spells. ---- From my blog: Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen The term that came to mind when reading this book was amuse-bouche. It was a delightful taste and I craved the full-course. The novel was a cross between Practical Magic and Chocolat. A story with bites of the Prodigal Son and The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Waverly women have possessed special gifts for generations, including a blessed/cursed apple tree growing in their backyard. Claire has a gift for all things culinary, beginning with her magical garden. When Claire's sister shows up after an absence of 10 years, both women learn more about becoming a Waverly woman. I would have liked more meatiness to the character and story, but overall delightful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silliness7 Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 (edited) I didn't see it as anti-religious at all. Una's father was definitely spiritually abusive and her views of religion are a result of that. That was my hasty observation based on 60 pages. I'm keeping on keeping on because I'm thinking things will make sense as I keep going. It was off-putting at first, but I'm an optimist. ETA: Oh, I remembered what made me suspicious, it's not that I think all book characters have to be believers or cannot make negative comments about religion or Christianity. It's the sharp contrast the author is drawing between believers and unbelievers. Open-minded, kind, tolerant, educated, wise, etc. vs. the opposite. Now granted, her dad is drawn as one way. Now if all her Trinitarians are characterized like dad.....hmmmm.... Edited January 16, 2012 by silliness7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 I started Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffeneger this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 I took Ahab's Wife out of the library, and stopped after a page. It looks like a book I would *love* in another place in my life, one where I'm not being woken up multiple times a night. ;) I'm going to read some other books I have first, and if I can make a valiant attempt at it, I will. :) If you power past the quotes and introduction by page three it gets easier. I reread the first page a few times and then decided to just keep going. The whole story isn't written like the first page. Thank goodness. Think she had to get the poetic prose out of the way first or somebody else wrote the beginning paragraphs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvnlattes Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 Please tell me how I should be pronouncing this?!? I say "duh loose" but have no idea if that's correct. How do you say it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted January 16, 2012 Share Posted January 16, 2012 (edited) I am now trying to find something else to read in the paranormal/fantasy genre. A few suggestions: Replay by Ken Grimwood From Publishers Weekly In this intriguing fantasy adventure, Jeff Winston, a failing 43-year-old radio journalist, dies and wakes up in his 18-year-old body in 1963 with his memories of the next 25 years intact. He views the future from the perspective of naive 1963: "null-eyed punks in leather and chains . . . death-beams in orbit around the polluted, choking earth . . . his world sounded like the most nightmarish of science fiction." But Grimwood has transcended genre with this carefully observed, literate and original story. Jeff's knowledge soon becomes as much a curse as a blessing. ... Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. The Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs which starts with Cry Wolf From Amazon: Anna never knew werewolves existed until the night she survived a violent attack…and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the pack, she’d learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But Anna is that rarest kind of werewolf: an Omega. And one of the most powerful werewolves in the country will recognize her value as a pack member—and as his mate. Time and Again by Jack Finney From Amazon: "Sleep. And when you awake everything you know of the twentieth century will be gone from your mind. Tonight is January 21, 1882. There are no such things as automobiles, no planes, computers, television. 'Nuclear' appears in no dictionary. You have never heard the name Richard Nixon." Did illustrator Si Morley really step out of his twentieth-century apartment one night -- right into the winter of 1882? The U.S. Government believed it, especially when Si returned with a portfolio of brand-new sketches and tintype photos of a world that no longer existed -- or did it? J. D. Robb's in Death series (this is a futuristic detective series with a heavy romantic component. Very gritty and not for the faint of heart.) The first in the series is Naked in Death. The Chronicles of Elantra by Michelle Sagara. This is a fantasy series up to seven volumes now. The first is Cast in Shadow. C. Murphy's intriguing two book Inheritors' Cycle series (so far) which begins with The Queen's Bastard. From Booklist *Starred Review* In a world in which women are considered weak and lesser than men, three remarkable women wind up ruling three powerful kingdoms in the first of what promises to be an outstanding series featuring a masterfully intricate dance of politics and intrigue in a world with parallels to the Elizabethan era. Belinda Primrose, supposedly an orphan but truly the bastard of Queen Lorraine and her secret spymaster, Robert Drake, learns to hide her thoughts and feelings at a very young age, masters several combat skills, and executes her first assassination before she is 12. Assuming the identity of Beatrice Irvine, a young widow from a Scotland-like country, her pious attendance at church draws the attention of a wealthy young merchant prince who is an intimate of young Javier, who will be king when his mother steps aside as regent. Belinda and Javier recognize in each other a kinship in their ability to harness powers and do things that would ensure their execution as witches should anyone discover them. Readers will be eagerly awaiting their story’s next installment in the Inheritors’ Cycle. --Diana Tixier Herald Regards, Kareni Edited January 16, 2012 by Kareni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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