Woodland Mist Academy Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Based on the time travel aspect of The Enchanted Inn, I'd recommend Jack Finney's Time and Again. If I recall correctly at least part of it has a winter setting. Regards, Kareni Check out Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and Wilkie Collins. Thanks for all the suggestions! A second vote for Wilkie Collins. I'd start with The Woman in White. I think you'd also really enjoy Rebecca if you haven't read it yet. I needn't look any further than the BAW thread for the spine-tingling sensation of needing to glance around because someone is watching... Rebecca is one of my favorites and The Woman in White is on my bedside stand. How did you know? :ohmy: :ph34r: ;) -War and Peace - I don't understand why people think this book is hard. Because of the length? If they read the entire Harry Potter series they read more pages than are in War and Peace. In fact Deathly Hallows alone has about 2/3 the number of pages in W&P. Number of characters? George R.R. Martin and Hilary Mantel load their books with characters. I just see most of them as "extras" and the main characters aren't that plentiful or hard to keep up with. Too hard? No it isn't, if you have a decent translation. Moby Dick was much harder and not even close to being as interesting. I'm just over halfway through, taking it slowly, and loving it. I :001_wub: War and Peace. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 I finished Anno Dracula last night. This was a suggestion from Stacia, too, who I suspect loves Dracula as much as I do. This was a satisfying followup to Dracula, up there with The Historian, although completely different - very mild spoilers follow: in AD, the story departs from the canonical version at the point where Dracula attacks Mina. Instead of being driven off, and chased back to Transylvania and dispatched, he turns her, kills her husband and . . . . the rest is alternate history! Dracula turns and marries Queen Victoria and London becomes overrun with vampires, old and new. What is so great about this story is how he weaves in the original characters, along with about every other character of note in 1880s London, including literary characters. So you get cameos by Dr. Jekyll (and Mr Hyde), Dr. Moreau, the Holmeses, the Stokers, and of course Jack the Ripper! It's a fun romp through an alternative, yet familiar, version of Victorian England. I liked this book a lot better than Dracula the Un-Deadm (abandoned, not completed) which was a little too pornagraphic for my taste. It definitely had some s@xual content, but not near as graphic or S&M-ish. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 I finished Anno Dracula last night. This was a suggestion from Stacia, too, who I suspect loves Dracula as much as I do. This was a satisfying followup to Dracula, up there with The Historian, although completely different - very mild spoilers follow: in AD, the story departs from the canonical version at the point where Dracula attacks Mina. Instead of being driven off, and chased back to Transylvania and dispatched, he turns her, kills her husband and . . . . the rest is alternate history! Dracula turns and marries Queen Victoria and London becomes overrun with vampires, old and new. What is so great about this story is how he weaves in the original characters, along with about every other character of note in 1880s London, including literary characters. So you get cameos by Dr. Jekyll (and Mr Hyde), Dr. Moreau, the Holmeses, the Stokers, and of course Jack the Ripper! It's a fun romp through an alternative, yet familiar, version of Victorian England. I liked this book a lot better than Dracula the Un-Deadm (abandoned, not completed) which was a little too pornagraphic for my taste. It definitely had some s@xual content, but not near as graphic or S&M-ish. Anno Dracula is in my abandoned pile. I can't remember why, I suspect life just turned complicated and it needed to be returned. From your description it sounds like something I really should enjoy so at some point I will give it another try. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Anno Dracula is in my abandoned pile. I can't remember why, I suspect life just turned complicated and it needed to be returned. From your description it sounds like something I really should enjoy so at some point I will give it another try. I have a bunch of books like that - things I'd like to get back to someday, but the time just wasn't right. As distinct from abandoned, as in, if I ever see the book again I will set it on fire. ;) 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 I have a bunch of books like that - things I'd like to get back to someday, but the time just wasn't right. As distinct from abandoned, as in, if I ever see the book again I will set it on fire. ;) Speaking of this... The Thirteenth Tale - which pile should this be in? Abandoned or burned? (oh alright, I'll give it away... ;) ) It started out OK, then not so much. What say the BAWers? Worth finishing? 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Thanks, Jane. I will check those out. Rose, I read the third Anno Dracula book (Judgement of Tears), not the first (because it was the one Kim Newman vampire book my library carried at the time). I'll have to go check out Anno Dracula now. (I think I checked recently & my library now seems to have the first one.) I read it because I kept seeing the Kim Newman book pop up on lists of vampire works & I wanted to see what his writing style was. I enjoyed it enough that I've planned to read the others in the series (if I end up finding them). Based on the third book I read, I would lump this series into 'fun' retellings of the Dracula story. I agree w/ you that Dracula The Un-Dead (written by Stoker's grand-nephew or something like that) wasn't great. I remember it being pretty gory & bloody... but then again, vampires aren't supposed to be nice, tame creatures. Woodland Mist, I remember liking The Thirteenth Tale ok, but probably not as much as many did. I looked on Goodreads; I read it back in 2009 (for my book club) & gave it 3 stars (so a middle-of-the-road rating from me). It's ok if that style of gothic storytelling is your thing. I guess that overall I like mine w/ more bite. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 I finished a couple of books; one was a new book to me while the other was a re-read. VK Powell's About Face was a mystery/romance featuring a police detective and a forensic artist; both of the leads are women. It was an enjoyable read. Adult content. "Reclusive forensic artist Macy Sheridan agrees to work one final case she hopes will solve the mystery that's haunted her for years. The only things blocking her from achieving her goal are a perfect facial reconstruction and Detective Leigh Monroe, a woman who reminds her of the past and challenges her future.Leigh Monroe has lost her lover, her livelihood, and her home, but she chooses to look on the bright side. What else could go wrong? Then she meets rude, solitary Macy Sheridan. But Leigh discovers that Macy's façade is a mask, yet as real and untouchable as the forensic reconstructions she so meticulously creates." *** The re-read was of Lorraine Heath's historical romance Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman. This is the second book in a trilogy, and the only one I kept to revisit. It has an interesting premise. "As the black sheep second son of an Earl, Stephen Lyons has gained a reputation in the art of seduction, but when his wicked ways result in scandal, he joins the army to redeem himself. On the battlefield, he proves courageous . . . until he is seriously wounded. Returning home to recover, he discovers he can't remember the angelic beauty who arrives at his doorstep, his babe nestled in her arms. Mercy Dawson will risk everything to protect the son of the dashing soldier she once knew and admired. When Stephen offers to do the honorable thing, she is determined that London's most notorious gentleman will desire her and no other. But Mercy fears that what began as an innocent deception could destroy her dreams and their blossoming love if Stephen ever learns the scandalous truth . . ." Regards, Kareni 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted December 3, 2015 Author Share Posted December 3, 2015 Speaking of this... The Thirteenth Tale - which pile should this be in? Abandoned or burned? (oh alright, I'll give it away... ;) ) It started out OK, then not so much. What say the BAWers? Worth finishing? I was introduced to the Thirteenth Tale by Melissa (Mental Multivitamin) who piqued my interest because she is just so smart and insightful when it comes to books. It wasn't the type of book I usually read, preferring sci fi/fantasy. I was blown away and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it is well worth reading. It does start out slow from what I recall. It's been a few years. Probably should put it back on my reread pile. Recommend Abandon for now and try again later. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 (edited) I've been taking a colored pencil drawing class this term through the local community college's continuing education classes. Today was the last day, and I finished my second project. I drew these butterflies based on a card by Laurel Burch. They are beautiful! I love the effect of colored pencils. How often do we close the cover on a book, never to give it much thought at a later date? Books that remain with us on the edge of daily consciousness are special indeed, even if the book remains for reasons that we ourselves fail to understand. The author has carved his way into our souls. Quite an accomplishment. So it is with Ivan Vladislavic, the South African writer whose novel The Folly perplexed several of us when we read it several months ago. Perplexed yet amused... I was sufficiently intrigued by Vladislavic to read an article that he posted on LIterary Hub, Death at 30,000 Feet. In the article he mentions two great American writers who seem to have been dismissed to the dusty shelves of libraries, Carson McCullers and Sherwood Anderson. In my early 20s, after graduating from college, I began a self education project that involved reading all of the classics that I somehow missed in high school and college. Of course, I never completed the task, literary rabbit holes being what they are. But in those years I read Anderson's influential novel Winesburg, Ohio and McCullers' beautiful first novel The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Vladislavic's article prompted a desire to revisit both books. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter has accompanied me in the car, an audio version read/performed by Cherry Jones who captures the voices of a small Southern town in the 1930s. What astonished me upon revisiting the book was not the astute 12 year old protagonist I had remembered but the deep complexity of Dr. Copeland, a black doctor of great dignity created before there was a notion of a Civil Rights movement. Even more astonishing is that McCullers wrote this book in her early twenties. It was published in 1940 when she was 23. About fifty years later, when Modern Library created its top 100 novel list, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter came in at #17. What a book! Jonathon Yardley revisited the novel in 2004 and wrote this essay on it. I look forward to rereading Sherwood Anderson in the months ahead. Wow, Jane. The children need my attention right now so I don't have time to dive into your links, but I couldn't help but comment. I'm so glad you followed this rabbit trail about Vladislavic. I might toddle along behind you when I find time. I'd be interested in co-reading Anderson with you if you're open to it. You've inspired me! Edited December 3, 2015 by idnib 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Speaking of this... The Thirteenth Tale - which pile should this be in? Abandoned or burned? (oh alright, I'll give it away... ;) ) It started out OK, then not so much. What say the BAWers? Worth finishing? I read it for book club not long after it was first published. I remember liking it but not having the love for it most people had. I do think it's worth finishing but only if you're at least halfway enjoying it. If it feels like a chore and there's no reason why you have to finish it, then go ahead and abandon it and give it away. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennW in SoCal Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Spent a very surreal day at Disneyland yesterday. We were surrounded by happy families, holiday lights and Star Wars hype while checking our phones periodically for updates on the horror unfolding 60 miles to the east of us in San Bernadino. We did have a good time, primarily in the role of proud parents as my ds took us around to show off all the work he does. The highlight of the night was a little girl sitting on her mom's shoulders during the epic fireworks show. When the "Let It Go" song started, complete with fake snow falling, in the glow of thousands of blue and white lights, the little girl acted out the song with such feeling -- she was Elsa in her ice world. It was really sweet! There is a book connection here! Mostly for Stacia and others who know and love Terry Pratchett and Hogfather. Every year from Halloween through New Year's, the Haunted Mansion ride gets transformed into Nightmare Before Christmas. I've been on it many times, enjoying the crazed Tim Burton inspired characters and the jack o'lanterns singing the Danny Elfman songs. But I'd forgotten all about Jack Skellington -- a skeleton -- dressed as Santa. When I saw it yesterday I was gobsmackedI Wait, I thought, what is Death, cleverly disguised as the Hogfather, doing here? Which came first? Burton's or Pratchett's skeleton in a santa suit? Well, after a little research, I can tell you the winner is Burton. When he was an animator at Disney in the early 80's he wrote a poem, "Nightmare Before Christmas", added concept art and pitched it to Disney. It took a decade for it to finally get produced, and the film came out about 3 years before Hogfather. I love the art of Burton, enjoy the Danny Elfman soundtrack, but Hogfather is a much, much better story, and one that couldn't (and shouldn't) be distilled down into a 5 minute ride. There is a fun animated version of Christopher Lee reading the original poem, if you are interested. Nightmare Before Christmas. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Those of you who like reading cooking books and/or Jane Austen might be interested in The Jane Austen Cookbook by Maggie Black (it's not a new book). I learned of it through this review: The Jane Austen Cookbook by Maggie Black and Deirdre Le Faye Regards, Kareni 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 (edited) Oh so late checking in again. The last Thanksgiving guest has gone home (!), the two birthdays immediately following turkey day have been birthdayed, and I can read again. I finished only one short thing in all that vacation break (what was I doing with all my rest time??): Euripides' Alcestis, which I read because Middle Girl was assigned it and I'd forgotten much of it. For the same reason I will shortly be reacquainting myself with Molière. And two-thirds of the way through The Good Soldier Švejk, which Jane has described so well that I am left only to provide an exemplary excerpt. ----------------- '... If I say to you: "Jump into the fire", then you must jump into the fire, even though you don't want to. What are you looking at?' Švejk was looking with interest sideways at the wall where a cage hung with a canary in it, and fixing his kindly eyes on the lieutenant he answered in a gentle, good-natured tone: 'Humbly report, sir, there's a Harz canary in there.' And after having interrupted in this way the flow of the lieutenant's words Švejk adopted a military stance and looked him straight in the eyes without blinking. The lieutenant wanted to say something sharp, but observing the innocent expression on Švejk's face said nothing more than 'The chaplain recommended you as a frightful idiot and I think he was not wrong.' 'Humbly report, sir, he certainly was not wrong, When I was serving as a regular I got a complete discharge for idiocy and for patent idiocy into the bargain. In our regiment only two of us were discharged in this way, me and a Captain von Kaunitz. And whenever that captain went out in the street, if you'll pardon me, sir, he always at the same time picked his left nostril with his left hand, and his right nostril with his right hand, and when he went with us to the parade ground he always made us adopt a formation as though it was going to be a march past and said: "Men, ahem, remember, ahem, that today is Wednesday, because tomorrow will be Thursday, ahem."' Lieutenant Lukà š shrugged his shoulders, like a man who did not know how to express a certain thought and could not immediately find words to do so. Edited December 4, 2015 by Violet Crown 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet Crown Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 (edited) -War and Peace - I don't understand why people think this book is hard. Because of the length? If they read the entire Harry Potter series they read more pages than are in War and Peace. In fact Deathly Hallows alone has about 2/3 the number of pages in W&P. Number of characters? George R.R. Martin and Hilary Mantel load their books with characters. I just see most of them as "extras" and the main characters aren't that plentiful or hard to keep up with. Too hard? No it isn't, if you have a decent translation. Moby Dick was much harder and not even close to being as interesting. I'm just over halfway through, taking it slowly, and loving it. Yes! When I read it, people kept being impressed to the point I'd hide the cover. I felt ashamed for getting Cultural Virtue Points for fun reading. I think long plus Russian scares people off. Edited December 4, 2015 by Violet Crown 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennW in SoCal Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Cultural Virtue Points! :lol: I have to add those into my annual reading list somehow. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Last night I finished reading Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods to my boys. We had two chapters left and after I finished the first one they begged to finish the book. They really love the Gregor the Overlander books. The last two have had some things that have kind of freaked out my 9 year old (my 7 year couldn't care less) like the description of how the people with the Plague looked in this one. My 9 year old was also horrified about where the Plague came from and was so upset that what happened to Hamnet and Frill didn't have to happen. My 7 year old, however, insisted that it all had to happen the way it did for the benefit of the Rats (which is true). These books are deceptively simple and have led the boys to have some pretty interesting discussions. They of course made sure I immediately bought the fourth book and the 7 year old suggested I should go ahead and buy the 5th while I was it. I assured him it would still be available when we finish the next one. I think they are going to be really sad when we finish all five. They have truly loved this series. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loesje22000 Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Those of you who like reading cooking books and/or Jane Austen might be interested in The Jane Austen Cookbook by Maggie Black (it's not a new book). I learned of it through this review: The Jane Austen Cookbook by Maggie Black and Deirdre Le Faye Regards, Kareni Thank you! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Over two months ago I put Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon on hold from the library through Overdrive. Someone on here recommended it. It finally became available yesterday. I finished it this afternoon. It was totally worth the wait! I loved it. I was so shocked at the big major thing in the middle. I never saw that coming. Madeline is an 18 year old who has lived inside her house almost her entire life because she has SCID. But then she meets the boy next door and starts talking to him (through IM and e-mail) and everything starts to change until she finally finds out something absolutely shocking. Really good book. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 Over two months ago I put Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon on hold from the library through Overdrive. ... I was so shocked at the big major thing in the middle. I never saw that coming. ... I too was surprised by that revelation. I agree; it was a good read. Glad you enjoyed it. Regards, Kareni 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted December 5, 2015 Author Share Posted December 5, 2015 (edited) I'm one of those who thoroughly enjoyed War and Peace. I love the cultural virtue points. We have a new value and way to pick out a book system. Does the book give my cultural virtue points? :lol: I seriously will keep that in mind. The book I just finished sadly didn't earn me any cultural virtue points but it was an enjoyable read. Jim Butcher's Fool Moon. # 2 in his Dresden files series. He's growing on me. Have added # 3 Grave Peril to my wishlist for next year. Thanks to amazon cyber sale this past week I added Jo Nesbo's The Redbreast, Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale, Robert Jordan's # 6 Lord of Chaos and #7 Crown of Swords in the Wheel of Time series, Larissa Ions #10 Reaver and #11 Revenant in her Demonica series to my ebook stacks. Gearing up for another beginning of the new year buying ban. Now I'm officially on a financial time out because some *#*&^^%% hacked my atm/visa card and waiting for new one to arrive. Such a PITA. Contemplating what I'm in the mood for next from my shelves. Edited December 5, 2015 by Robin M 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 (edited) Jane, I am in the first quarter of Tristano Dies. I can see now what you meant about the (deliberate) confusion and the darkness. Some of the writing is quite beautiful, though: She told me something troubling, almost moving, it's strange, because feelings are for those with humors left in the bottle, and a mineral like me no longer holds moisture... ...skin preserves that internal sea we're made of, because we're made of water, it protects the body from external heat while at the same time holding our heat inside, getting rid of any excess, depending on the season...and when the sea has evaporated, the shell remains, shriveled, useless... Edited December 5, 2015 by idnib 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 5, 2015 Share Posted December 5, 2015 Now I'm officially on a financial time out because some *#*&^^%% hacked my atm/visa card and waiting for new one to arrive. Such a PITA. How very annoying. I hope the new card will arrive quickly and that it will be secure from future threats. Regards, Kareni 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 (Is everyone waiting to chat in the new thread tomorrow?) If you're in the market for some literary socks, BookRiot is having a buy two pairs and get a third pair free sale. Shipping is free (presumably only in the US, but I didn't check). http://store.bookriot.com/collections/socks Regards, Kareni 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 I'm BOOOOORRREEDDDD!!!! Seriously, that's a good thing. It means I'm getting better. Of course I'm still very restricted for 4 more weeks and need to stay mostly in bed for a while longer. I do get to go downstairs tomorrow so I'm looking forward to that. I have visions of the downstairs being a wreck, though my family assures me it is definitely not. I read Alexandra Fry Private Eye: Curse of the Lion's Heart today. Alexandra is a 7th grader with a strange gift. Historical ghosts visit her and ask her to find their lost (stolen) things. In this one Queen Elizabeth I wants her to find her stolen locket. She goes on the quest to find it with her new friends Penelope and Jack (and Jack has some secrets of his own). It's kind of like Nancy Drew with a twist. It was a cute book. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 It seems odd to say it, Heather, but I'm glad you're ...BOOOOORRREEDDDD!!!! ... I hope you continue to heal well. Regards, Kareni 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Only ten chapters behind on History of the Medieval World. *huff* *puff* 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted December 6, 2015 Share Posted December 6, 2015 Popping in to recommend the newest by Kate Morton - The Lake House. Loved it! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted December 6, 2015 Author Share Posted December 6, 2015 Link to week 49 - please continue conversation in new thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathleen. Posted December 7, 2015 Share Posted December 7, 2015 I forgot to write in our books for this week... I read "Teaching Shakespeare" by Rex Gibson and my 9yo has been reading a bunch of Jan Brett's books including her latest "The Turnip" which we all loved. :) 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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