So what is everyone reading these days? [Archive]

Elisabeth

06-08-2002, 12:05 PM

Fun thread!

I just finished an incredibly inventive and creative first novel, called The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde; it's hard to describe but I'll give it a try. It's set in an alternate universe in London, where there's time travel for one, where the Crimean War has been raging on for well over one hundred years, and where the greatest crime is to tamper with literary masterpieces. The main character is a literary detective who must track a brilliant criminal who is kidnapping characters from canonical British novels and killing them. Jane Eyre plays an important role, so there are lots of funny moments where characters infiltrate Jane Eyre or the characters in Jane Eyre leave the pages of their novel.

Now I'm reading Word Freak by Stefan Fatsis, about the competitive world of Scrabble tournaments! It's fascinating stuff....

And Susan Orlean's The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup, an essay collection of profiles of unusual people, quite good.

Also reading Perri Klass's Baby Doctor, a memoir about training to be a pediatrician. It's interesting. I just read a collection of her short stories, Love and Modern Medicine, last month and thought it was excellent, so I wanted to try something else by her.

Natasha

06-08-2002, 12:24 PM

Thanks for all the posts so far! I love learning about new books and seeing what everyone is reading.

The Eyre Affair sounds really neat, and unique! I will have to have a look at that one - thanks, Elisabeth!

Linda, I have heard that Patchwork Planet was really good; I should look for it. Thanks!

Recently I read a book called Divided Passions by Michelle Tisseyre. It is a French-Canadian book (translated into English) about a family around the time of WWI. It was pretty interesting, but I wouldn t really recommend it as I found certain things in it unsatisfying. I heard that there will be a sequel, but doubt that I ll read it.

I have also been reading the Jeeves and Wooster Omnibus, a compilation of three of P.G. Wodehouse novels. I always find those books good lighthearted reading for the bus, a lazy summer day, or just before bed.

Recently, I read a book by Elizabeth Berg called something about finding the right one. When I Find the Right One Ill Know, or something like that. I have really enjoyed some of E. Bergs books (Joy School and the one about the two daughters whose mother left them - forget the title) but was disappointed by this one. I hear that there is a sequel to Joy School that I will look for when it comes out in paperback, or at the library.

Now I am sort of in between books, so your suggestions are timely as well as interesting! :)

Natasha

lisas3575

06-08-2002, 12:34 PM

Love these threads!

I'm about 1/3 into The Cider House Rules by John Irving. I've read several of his books, and really enjoy his writing, even though they're never very "happy " books. I'm just realizing that I love Wally Lamb's books too, and he is King of the Depressing Books. What does that say about me?!?! :p

I had to put aside Cider House because I finally made it to the front of the line for Tender at the Bone from our local library. I'm really enjoying this! I've heard the sequel isn't as good, but I'll probably have to see for myself. Tender is a very quick read, I should finish it today, then back to Homer Wells! :)

Kima, did you ever read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn?

Chefzhat

06-08-2002, 01:40 PM

Does my Geography 135 - Regions and Concepts count as a book?? :D :D

I get about 5 minutes each night to read before bed and I have been working on Amazing Grace, by Jonathon Kozal. I swear, I can't remember why I thought a class through summer semester was a good idea - I don't have time for ANYTHING!!

Debie

Wendy w

06-08-2002, 01:57 PM

In between cookbooks, I am reading an interesting book right now called Low Life. It is a history of old New York's less gentrified side - pimps, madams, brothels, con men, bars, opium dens, off-Broadway, etc. It is not all grim, it has a sense of humor as well as the author having feeling for those that he is writing about. A lot of the immigrants had other ways to supplement their income once they came over in order to survive.

This is not a fast read and I can only get to it a little bit before bedtime. Tender at the Bone is next.

kima

06-08-2002, 02:36 PM

Thanks for asking Lisa- I still haven't read it! This summer I promise!:)

beacooker

06-08-2002, 02:52 PM

Debie, I have read several of Jonathon Kozol's books, including Amazing Grace, and I have loved them all. The book Savage Inequalities was a real eye-opener about American public schools.

I recently finished reading (I think this is the correct title) Ice Bound, the story of the dr with breast cancer who was trapped in Antartica a few years ago. Now, inspired by Frontier House on PBS, I am re-reading several of the Little House on the Prairie books. As soon as I drag myself to the library and pay my library fines, I am going to look for some books about Shackleton's trips to Antartica (or did he go to the North Pole?).

I think I will also look into the Eyre Affair, and I'm curious for more information about the book Atonement - I don't think I've heard of it.

Little Bit

06-08-2002, 04:37 PM

Not much into novels these years, so I've been alternating two non-fiction titles:

William Bloom's book "Psychic Protection: Creating Positive Energies for People and Places" (with lots of good ideas on how to pray, convey a blessing, send good vibes, etc.)

Stephen Heller and Terry Steele "Monsters and Magical Sticks: There Is No Such Thing as Hypnosis" (about communication styles, and how people interact, and how you can and should choose to adapt your communication style to more effectively exchange meaning with others.)

Canice

06-08-2002, 08:55 PM

Sad subject -- ever since I lost my job, my reading has gone from about two books a month to.... never mind :o !
I'm reading Adam Gopnik's "Paris to the Moon" and, thanks to kima's query, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn".

luv2cook

06-09-2002, 09:49 AM

While on vacation, I picked up a Jackie Collins book. Now I'm hooked on the Santangelo series. I'm on book 3 out of 5. Disgusting. I try not to read because once I start, I can't stop. I will forgo everything to sit and read. I had to actually play a game w/myself this morning and quit so I could be productive today! I"m not allowing myself to pick it up until bedtime tonight...

boisewinesnob

06-09-2002, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by lisas3575
Love these threads!

I'm about 1/3 into The Cider House Rules by John Irving. I've read several of his books, and really enjoy his writing, even though they're never very "happy " books.

I read that book last year and was thinking it was one of the most depressing books I have ever read! But it looks like you already figured that out. I had not read any of his books previously, and wasn't prepared.

Anyways, I am on the waiting list for Fast Food Nation at the library and am hoping it will be in tomorrow in time for our drive to Yellowstone.

Canice

06-09-2002, 10:54 PM

Originally posted by boisewinesnob
Anyways, I am on the waiting list for Fast Food Nation at the library and am hoping it will be in tomorrow in time for our drive to Yellowstone.

Yea, THAT'll lift your spirits! ;)

boisewinesnob

06-09-2002, 11:10 PM

Canice,
I know, I know! But at least I'll be prepared for this one ;) .
I just finished school in May, so I'm just looking forward to reading something that isn't "required"!

Canice

06-09-2002, 11:55 PM

I'm teasing, of course. How wonderful to have all that behind you and nothing but blue skies ahead - for the next coupla months anyhow. Have lots of fun at Jellystone, and keep your eye on your pic-a-nic basket!

Chefzhat

06-10-2002, 05:36 AM

Have you John Irving fans read The World According to Garp?
My all-time favorite - I re-read this book at least once a year.

Beacooker, I read Savage Inequalities - very good, especially since I am in college studying to be a teacher. I'm horrified at the conditions at our innercity places of education. Too sad.

I saw a bumper sticker last week that said "Wouldn't it be great if schools had the funding they need and the Marines had to hold a bake sale to buy a gun?" or something like that.

Debie

Natasha

06-10-2002, 06:13 AM

beacooker, Savage Inequalities sounds intriguing!

I just finished rereading a French play this weekend by Marcel Pagnol, who was very well-known in France (died about 30 years ago, I believe) for his books and plays about life in Provence. He wrote a few books with anecdotes about childhood and youth, all with a certain charm and gentle humour. He is also well-known for Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources. His plays Marius, Fanny and Cesar are all fantastic, too - they deal with the lives of a number of characters in and around Marseilles, and how they lives are all intertwined. The one I reread on the weekend was Cesar, by the way. Anyway, I would absolutely recommend any of his books to anyone who would enjoy reading about life in the early part of the 20th century in southern France. Mind you, these books are not what I'd call "action-packed" or thrillers, so they might seem a bit slow to some, but I love them when I'm in the mood. They have imperfect, emotional characters, a beautiful setting, and, as I mentioned above, that touch of humour.

Natasha :)

mochadelsol

06-10-2002, 07:03 AM

Debi, I love that book The World According To Garp, Have you seen Robin Williams in the movie?

Angela

06-10-2002, 07:15 AM

Right now I'm reading Saving Gracesby Patricia Gaffeney, it's good. I'm hoping to finish is tonight because I bought Mary Higgins Clark's new one Daddy's Little Girl and I'm so anxious to read it!

beacooker

06-10-2002, 07:17 AM

Debie, The World According to Garp is one of my favorites ever, too. Has anyone read Irving's latest - The Fourth Hand ? I haven't read it yet, and am looking for reviews. I have read just about everything Irving ever wrote, but I am finding him harder and harder to read. I really enjoyed the first half of A Widow For One Year, but not the second half.

As for Savage Inequalities, well, it is a wonderful book, but probably the most depressing one I have ever read. After reading it, whenever I hear anyone talk about how in America, every kid has an equal chance, I feel like buying them a copy of this book. Debie, is the book part of the curriculum for becoming a teacher? I think it should be!

gertdog

06-10-2002, 08:17 AM

Originally posted by Chefzhat
Have you John Irving fans read The World According to Garp?
My all-time favorite - I re-read this book at least once a year.

I just finished this! I liked it, but think I enjoyed Cider House Rules more.

I've also recently read Then She Found Me by Eleanor Lipman, which is a fairly light, humorous story about a woman who was adopted as a child being found by her birth mother, Moo by Jane Smiley, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl, which I liked a lot. I just started Glitz by Elmore Leonard.

I just received a hefty Borders gift certificate at a wedding shower (it was Hawaiian-themed as that's where we're honeymooning... the idea was that I could buy my beach reading there... fun!)... can't wait to get more reading material!

Missi

06-10-2002, 08:31 AM

I just read Fast Food Nation ( I don't think I will ever be able to eat fast food again), and finally found a paperback and am now currently reading Kitchen Confidential .

Jewel

06-10-2002, 09:29 AM

These threads depress me <sigh>. I always feel so terribly inadequate! Here I am a fairly intelligent woman who finds time to read voraciously every single day, and I find that in comparison to you all I am just your basic slut. :eek: Doesn't anybody read smut anymore!!?? :cool: I mean I'm not talking Fabio on the cover, but maybe romance nonetheless!

I finally found one of my favorite author's newer books at the thrift store last weekend, so I am just starting Plain Jane by Fern Michaels. I found an old Sandra Brown book called The Switch that is on deck for the next read, and I the same day I found a Nora Robert's book (my favorite author) that I hadn't read, and I can't remember the title right now. :rolleyes: I'd been resisting John Grisham's novels because I didn't think they'd hold my interest, but I'm reading The Runaway Jury at work and although it's intricate and detailed, I'm slowly getting into it. I'm not sure if I'll be reading any more of his, I'll have to see how this one goes! ;)

boisewinesnob

06-10-2002, 09:38 AM

Originally posted by Jewel
I'd been resisting John Grisham's novels because I didn't think they'd hold my interest, but I'm reading The Runaway Jury at work and although it's intricate and detailed, I'm slowly getting into it. I'm not sure if I'll be reading any more of his, I'll have to see how this one goes! ;)

I think Runaway Jury was my favorite book by Grisham. You'll be so glad you quit smoking when you finish it, too.
I know people like to trash Grisham, but I like his books (I think people who don't like him are probably secretly jealous.....after all, how many bestsellers have THEY written???;) ). One reason I like his books is they are relatively "clean"; he doesn't feel he has to put a four-letter word in every other sentence.
Hope you enjoy it. Also, I think I read The Firm in about 2 days. I liked that one a lot, too.

slknight

06-10-2002, 09:50 AM

Originally posted by gertdog

I've also recently read Then She Found Me by Eleanor Lipman, which is a fairly light, humorous story about a woman who was adopted as a child being found by her birth mother

I haven't read this one, but really like The Way Men Act by the same author. Have you read that one?

mochadelsol

06-10-2002, 10:20 AM

Anyone fans of Kay Gibbons? (Ellen Foster, Charms For An Easy Life) Also author Anne River Siddons, I have read all the books by these two. I guess I just really love them:D

ccooney

06-10-2002, 10:21 AM

The Girl With A Pearl Earring, I think the author was Chevalier, but I'm not sure.
Pope Joan, I have no idea who the author was.
Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett

JJ40

06-10-2002, 10:25 AM

I'm currently reading Bee Season by Myla Goldberg, a recommendation I got from this board! I'm only about 20 pages in, but so far like it...plus I can relate to the main character...I won our city's spelling bee when I was about 12!

I'm also reading Myths of Gender which is a feminist look at biological differences between the sexes. Very interesting!!

Julie

crazyquilter

06-10-2002, 10:41 AM

Surely I'm not the only one who's read The Nanny Diaries. Boy, what a funny book. I's looking for something else now (I'm reading some mystery by Nevada Barr, can't think of the name), so this thread comes at a great time.

sneezles

06-10-2002, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by Jewel
These threads depress me <sigh>. I always feel so terribly inadequate! Here I am a fairly intelligent woman who finds time to read voraciously every single day, and I find that in comparison to you all I am just your basic slut. :eek: Doesn't anybody read smut anymore!!?? :cool: I mean I'm not talking Fabio on the cover, but maybe romance nonetheless!

I like to read both Fern Michaels and Sandra Brown but I'm really more into mysteries. I have read all of Grisham's books, liked some better than others.
I read simply for pleasure (about 4 books a week). I don't want to be depressed by the story (Wally Lamb is way too depressing). I did read The Secret Lives of Bees a couple of months ago and The Secret Life of Sissy LeBlanc which weren't mysteries but great stories about women (sorry, I gave them both away and don't remember the authors' names).

gertdog

06-10-2002, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by slknight

I haven't read this one, but really like The Way Men Act by the same author. Have you read that one?

Nope! The only other book I've read by Eleanor Lipman is The Inn at Lake Devine, which I really enjoyed. I'll be on the lookout for her other books!

Susan

06-10-2002, 11:58 AM

I'm just finishing up On Rue Tatin: Living and Cooking in a French Town by Susan Herrmann Loomis (2001). She is also the author of Farmhouse Cookbook and French Farmhouse Cookbook. This is truly a delightful book filled with vivid descriptions of the sights and sounds of France. This is a work of nonfiction in which the author shares her life in France beginning with her appreticeship in Paris at a cooking school and ending in the present (20 years later). There are several recipes at the close of each chapter. I have really been swept away by this book and find myself wanting it not to end! If you like Peter Mayle's books or other travel genre books with a foodie twist, you will most likely find this an enjoyable book. It is a easy summer read and will have you drooling for more! :D

~Susan~

Susan

06-10-2002, 12:05 PM

Originally posted by crazyquilter
Surely I'm not the only one who's read The Nanny Diaries. Boy, what a funny book.

I'm on the waiting list at the library for this one and am looking forward to reading it! I caught the authors on the Today Show awhile back and thought their story sounded like a fun summer read.

RebeccaT

06-10-2002, 12:14 PM

Originally posted by mochadelsol
Anyone fans of Kay Gibbons? (Ellen Foster, Charms For An Easy Life) Also author Anne River Siddons, I have read all the books by these two. I guess I just really love them:D

Oh, I am! I read both Ellen Foster and Charms for an Easy Life, but those were years ago... I need to get into her again! She's got such a wonderful way with words!

Since the last thread, I have read My Dream of You by Nuala O'Faolain. I really enjoyed this book, although it's lazy style was hard to get into. The bits on the history of the Irish Famine were particularly interesting, and I definitely came to love the main protagonist, Kathleen. I did get the distinct feeling that I am not at the stage of my life where I can really understand her, though, and I may bever be; she is a never-married woman in her late 40's, and is dealing with a lot of regret about missed opportunities for love. It is a beautifully written book, though.

I also completed the fourth in the Harry Potter series: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Oh, I cannot wait for J.K. Rowling to give us the next installment of this series! I am officially hooked, I LOVE these books! This one might have been my favorite, although I really loved the Prisoner of Azkaban as well.

I am almost finished with Barbara Kingsolver's latest, Prodigal Summer, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. This might be the best non-Harry Potter book I have read in a while! ;) It is set in the foothills of the Appalacians, and intertwines three separate stories of love's discovery by folks at different stages of their life. All the while, the author presents an amazing knowledge and understanding of the natural world, which is the fourth main character in the book. She really did her homework for this novel (either that, or she paid a lot more attention in Natural Biology than I did!!)

I don't know what's next on my agenda; I will be combing this thread for ideas, I imagine! :)

Peeps

06-10-2002, 12:56 PM

I�m so glad someone asked this question, I get so many great recommendations from these threads!

Where to start � I�ve been reading lots lately. I just read The Officer�s Wives by Thomas Fleming � its about 20 years old and I think they made a mini series out of it in the 80s but despite that it was just fantastic. Very epic and long, it follows a few West Point Grads through the 50s, 60s, and 70s mainly from the perspective of their wives.

For you Brit Lit fans, I read About A Boy by Nick Hornby (haven�t seen the film yet) and it was really cute, and I also read the follow up to Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan but it was pretty predictable and similar to the first, though still cute.

I loved Girls Poker Night by Jill Davis � a single gal tale sort of thing but a very quick (read it in one sitting) and entertaining read, very witty (author used to write for Letterman).

I�ve also been plowing through Diane Mott Davidon�s Goldy Bear caterer mystery books (though I�m trying to slow down since I don�t want to finish them all!). They are all such fun reads, with great recipes too! I especially loved the one where her friend had a heart attack so all the recipes were light! (I think it was Killer Pancake).

Also for you Grisham fans � have you read Brad Meltzer at all? I read The Tenth Justice awhile back and loved it and just recently read The First Counsel and thought both were great. He�s written 2 others I can�t wait to read. Same sort of thing as Grisham, legal mysteries where a young lawyer uncovers something dangerous, etc. He�s got a great quick pace and lots of twists and turns, very entertaining.

hrk

06-10-2002, 12:58 PM

Currently I am finishing up the Shelters of Stone By Jean Auel. (The fifth book in the Clan of tthe Cave Bear series) After waiting ten long years for the fifth book I can't seem to get through it quick enough.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RebeccaT

I am almost finished with Barbara Kingsolver's latest, [B]Prodigal Summer, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. This might be the best non-Harry Potter book I have read in a while! ;)

This is good to know. I read her first book, the Poisonwood Bible and so did DH and we thought it was an amazing novel, so I think I just might have to try this one next.

KValley

06-10-2002, 01:27 PM

What I've enjoyed recently:

The Fall of Light Niall Williams It's a lush, epic drama set in 19th century Ireland (during the potato famine). It follows the trials and tribulations of 4 brothers and their father as they leave their Tipperary home and set out to find a better life. They become separated, have some terrible, some amazing experiences. It's almost mythic in quality- melodramatic- but very sensual. He uses language so beautifully, but you have to be patient and savor the story without rushing. Has anyone else read Niall Williams? I cannot wait to read his other works.

Perch Hill Adam Nicholson True story- a writer and his wife buy a dilapidated farm in southern England-the book is their trials and tribulations to restore it to working state. Kind of like "A Year in Provence", but gentler, self-deprecating humor, more introspective. Very sweet!

Here be Dragons Sharon Kay Penman The first in her trilogy of 13th century England and Wales. Great curl-up-on-the-sofa-with-a-cup-of-tea-on-a-rainy-Sunday-afternoon reading. :)

The Amber Spyglass William Pullman THe third of his Dark Arts trilogy. Some of the most amazing youg adult fantasy I have ever read- this series ranks right up there with The Chronicles of Narnia and THe Lord of the Rings- very complex and rich themes and imagery- adults will be moved and children captivated. Good stuff here.
*****************
And here's what is waiting in the wings- I start a new book today!! I just haven't decided which one...

French Dirt Richard Goodman A story of a garden in the South of France. DH bought me this- sounds like another Year in Provence story!

Cloudsketcher Richard Rayner The description sounds a bit like Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead. A bit mystical, partly set in NYC, a premise centered on architecture.

Small Wonder Barbara Kingsolve Hi Maureen!! :) I'll probably read this a bit at a time, since it's a collection of essays. There isn't a book thread that goes by without someone mentioning BK! Prodigal Summer is one of my all-time favorites of any author. Didn't care much for Poisonwood Bible but if you haven't read any BK other than these two, please read her earlier ones Bean Trees, Animal Dreams, Pigs in Heaven etc- very different than Poisonwood or Prodigal- , but wonderful.

McCarthy's Bar Pete McCarthyPete is the British equivalent to Bill Bryson- a humorous travel writer. This book has been on the British and Irish bestsellers for weeks. Pete made a trek to the west of Ireland and ended up visiting every pub with the name of McCarthy that he encountered along the way. The pub featured on the cover of the book is in the little town of Castletownberehaven. We stayed near Castletownberehaven when I was in Ireland last month and made a pilgrimage to this McCarthy's Bar. We met the pug dog on the cover, had our pictures taken, and I bought the book on half.com as soon as I got home!

The Scribner Book of Irish Writing Short stories by contemporary Irish writers. I think this is the one I will begin next

The Constant Gardner John Le Carre I've never been a big Le Carre fan, but this one I am assured, is quite different. Set in Africa, a woman as the main protagonist.

And my summer reading list is full of recommendations I've found here: Nick Hornby (Peeps- you've got tho see "About a Boy"- absolutely wonderful movie; I can't wait to read the book); Nuala O'Faolin (Thanks, Rebecca!)Vikram Seth & Shyam Selva Durai I think Maureen is to be credited for these recs; I'm also on the lookout for two by Richard Russo, Dive from Claussen's Pier by Ann Packer; Catherine Chidgey's latest; and after reading Atonement, I'm hoping to find Ian McEwan's other works in the library.

A WONDERFUL summer of reading stretches before me. What a great feeling :D

lsdesign

06-10-2002, 01:35 PM

"The Island" and "No Great Mischief" by Alistair McLeod. The Island is short stories about Cape Breton, Canada and the Scotch and Irish immigrants still keep their ways. The latter is a novel. I also want to say here that "A Big Life in Advertising" is really very good. Mary Wells Lawrence is the author.She started the first female owned ad agency in the 60's and did many famous tv commericals.

Susan

06-10-2002, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by KValley

McCarthy's Bar Pete McCarthyPete is the British equivalent to Bill Bryson- a humorous travel writer. This book has been on the British and Irish bestsellers for weeks. Pete made a trek to the west of Ireland and ended up visiting every pub with the name of McCarthy that he encountered along the way. The pub featured on the cover of the book is in the little town of Castletownberehaven. We stayed near Castletownberehaven when I was in Ireland last month and made a pilgrimage to this McCarthy's Bar. We met the pug dog on the cover, had our pictures taken, and I bought the book on half.com as soon as I got home!
[/b]]

Julie~ After your last posting about this book, I got this one from the library and have read the first 80 pages. Had to get some Sinapore Noodles after reading it the last time! (You'll see why when you read the book!) YUM!

~Susan~

JenZen

06-10-2002, 02:38 PM

I'm reading Breaking Clean right now. It's a true story about life on a Montana ranch as a woman. Life was very difficult for the author, and this book takes place during the 1960s or so when most of the country was modernized.

On deck is Enemy Women, a civil war novel.

Recently finished Sea Glass, which I would highly recommend. Set during the depression. The characters are incredibly round.

dcornelius

06-10-2002, 03:19 PM

I am currently reading A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. I am really enjoying it and intend to give it to my DD after I am done so she can read it. I can't beleve I am 43 years old and have never read this book! I would recommmend it to anyone! I must give credit for this choise of titles to this BB as I heard about it on one of the other "what are you reading" threads!

Gracie

06-11-2002, 06:14 AM

I just finished Daddy's Little Girl by Mary Higgins Clark and John Grisham's new one The Summons . On request at the library I have John Sandford's Mortal Prey and James Patterson's Beach House .

I am just finishing Fast Food Nation. Not only will I not eat fast food again, I may become a vegetarian (or at least not eat beef). Fortunately the author didn't get into the chicken slaughterhouses like he did the cattle ones. Has anyone else read this? I am appalled at the lack of respect for regulations that the meat packing industry has (or maybe it's bias on the part of the author, I don't know).

Loren

Veronica

06-11-2002, 09:27 AM

I just finished reading Some Things That Stay by Sarah Willis. I really enjoyed it. It's a coming-of-age story that transports you to another time and place - and reminds you of what it was like when you were making the transition from girl to woman. I got completely absorbed in the book - couldn't put it down. The writing was excellent. I can't recommend this book enough.

Right now I'm seeing what all the craze is about with the Harry Potter books. I'm almost done with Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone. I love it!!

magdon

06-11-2002, 08:01 PM

Ah books.

Gracie-- there is a whole thread on Fast Food Nation... somewhere, maybe a couple months ago, April?

books I have to second: No Great Mischief and Moo

Very intrigued by The Eyre Affair as well.

I'm currently reading The Nautical Chart by Arturo Perez-Reverte. It's a sunken ship/treasure hunt/some romance or maybe not/man in crisis/adventure book and rather good. I liked his earlier books too.

Also, has anyone else heard about www.bookcrossing.com? I found out about them through one of my library lists & they were on NPR a bit ago. the idea is to "register" a book online, then leave it where someone else can find it, & then hopefully they'll go online & write a little review as well & pass it on. I haven't tried it yet myself, but plan to.

magdon

06-11-2002, 08:05 PM

The librarian in me couldn't resist. Here is the Fast Food Nation thread

http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23377&highlight=fast+food+nation

It also has a link to another thread about it. More discussion than you bargained for!:)

Susan

06-11-2002, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by magdon
Also, has anyone else heard about www.bookcrossing.com? I found out about them through one of my library lists & they were on NPR a bit ago. the idea is to "register" a book online, then leave it where someone else can find it, & then hopefully they'll go online & write a little review as well & pass it on. I haven't tried it yet myself, but plan to.

What an intriguing concept! I had never heard about BookCrossing.com before! I've just been browsing their site and am excited to try it! Thanks for sharing this!

~Susan~

Jen

06-11-2002, 08:41 PM

I've actually been reading quite a bit lately...hmm, let's see if I can remember...

I read a couple of Greg Iles' books - starting with Dead Sleep, which I loved, then 24 Hours, which is being made into a movie. Both really good. I hadn't heard of him, but will definitely keep reading his stuff!

Bee Season, which I think I picked up from this board as well, was wonderful. I really enjoyed it - haven't been able to find out if she's releasing anything else soon. I wasn't sure how I liked the ending, but it did stick with me. I highly recommend this one.

I read the newest Patricia Cornwell book, Isle of Dogs (I think) and I REALLY hated it. I've read all her books - sometimes I find her a bit irritating, but I like the stories so I keep reading. But this one was really bad. She was trying to imitate Carl Hiassen (another author that I really love) and just sucked at it. It was so obvious that she was copying his style. I'm not sure why I finished it...maybe just morbid curiosity about how she would pull the numerous characters and storylines together (answer: she didn't). Don't read this!!

Then I moved on to Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson. A nice light read - could see the ending coming from a mile away, but I did enjoy it. This would be good beach/holiday reading. It was interesting to see that the story was inspired by his own experience of losing a woman he loved, then starting over again later in life.

I just finished City of Bones by Michael Connelly. He is one of my all-time favourite authors. If you like crime fiction you should definitely give him a try. He has a series with one main character (Harry Bosch) who is a detective (not the cheesy kind though...a very well-developed character with lots of flaws). I'd recommend starting that series at the beginning. He's also written some stand-alone books - The Poet is outstanding (but a bit gory, be warned!). This one was his newest - not the best, but still heads-and-shoulders above most other authors.

I'm moving on to The Surgeon, Tess Gerritsen's newest. More light reading! I really should get back to reading more "quality literature" :rolleyes: ...I go through fits and starts with "real books" vs. "light reads".

Natasha

06-12-2002, 06:06 AM

Magdon,

The bookcrossing.com site sounds really interesting. I had also never heard of it! Thanks for sharing.

Jen, Michael Connelly sounds like an author whose books I should look into. I get into spurts when I really enjoy crime fiction, and times when I don't feel like reading it. So the next time I'm on one of those kicks, I will keep the name in mind! Thanks for the suggestion. :)

Some people have expressed a bit of embarrassment that they're not reading the books they feel they "should" be reading, or that they enjoy "light reads". Please don't feel badly, anyone! I think the important thing is that everyone on this thread loves reading and sharing information about books and authors. Keep it coming!

Have a FANTASTIC day, all!

Natasha

emily

06-12-2002, 09:51 AM

Jewel,

On Saturday night I read Sandra Brown's Bittersweet Rain; my mom brought it to town with her and I couldn't resist being swept away from the bad week I'd had. I read it in three hours straight. What I call a fluff novel, but oh so fun ;)

Before that I finished Ayn Rand's We the Living. It was her first novel and is set in communist Russia. I couldn't put this down either; it was captivating. It is definately a lot of Rand's objectivism preaching, but it has an intense love triangle story board as the foundation. It is also much shorter than The Fountainhead (which I read years ago and also liked a lot). If you haven't read any Rand, We the Living is a great start and if you have read Rand, this is still a great read.

Kim's recommendation for the book on women's health has me intriguied. I think that will be the next on my list.

Oh, Peeps, I've read The Tenth Justice and also really liked it!

emily

HRJ

06-12-2002, 02:18 PM

I love these threads!

Last night, I finished Ian McEwan's Amsterdam. It had a very promising start, but I have to admit I was not impressed as it moved along -- and the ending was a complete disappointment. McEwan had a really ingenious idea for a plot twist at the end -- and then he got all bogged down explaining the fates of two unappealing minor characters. It's a quick read, but I wouldn't recommend it.

I also gotta say, I did not like Bee Season -- but it's been very popular, so I don't want to be too discouraging.

I just put in an order at the Quality Paperback Book Club for a lot of summer reading -- including Islands; Close to Shore; The Bullfighter Checks her Makeup; and The Death of Vishnu. I'll be looking for something to read while I'm waiting for those to arrive -- I'm thinking maybe something by Barbara Kingsolver, since I liked her collection of essays High Tide in Tucson but have never tried any of her novels.

Julie, DH just finished reading The Constant Gardner. Said he liked it a lot, but that the subject matter was a little depressing. He read it through in two days straight over the weekend.

Helene

kima

06-12-2002, 04:06 PM

Hi all you bookworms!:)
Julie I didn't recommend the two Indian wtiters you mentioned- though I have heard of Vikram Seth. Can you tell me about them? As you know I love Indian books and food!
Also I have not heard of the other authors you mentioned-Russo, Packer,Chidgey. Can you tell me about them?
Helene you must read the Bean Trees and Animal Dreams [/b]-two of my all time favorite books.
I like to read Joanne Trollope for light summer reading and just got a book by Helen Dunsmore called Talking to the Dead .
Do you all buy most of your books or get them from the library? I was thinking of Kingsolver's Small Wonder . I almost bought it but got it from the libary-it seemed very expensive. maybe we could set up a used book buy and sell here?:)

eas11

06-12-2002, 06:04 PM

Originally posted by Peeps
..................I�ve also been plowing through Diane Mott Davidon�s Goldy Bear caterer mystery books (though I�m trying to slow down since I don�t want to finish them all!). They are all such fun reads, with great recipes too! I especially loved the one where her friend had a heart attack so all the recipes were light! (I think it was Killer Pancake).

I picked up the whole lot of 'em from half.com last summer. I'm not a big mystery fan but thought the culinary tie in would make them a fun summer read. I read 3 last summer and will probably pick up again this summer. DH, who does like mysteries, has been reading them this past month. He likes them but thinks its strange to find recipes in the middle of chapters!!

Right now I'm about 60 pages into Miriams Kitchen and I'm enjoying it. Can't recall the authors name.... It's non-fiction, about the authors personal spiritual journey, aided by learning family history, and cooking, in her MIL Miriams kitchen.

Ellyn

KValley

06-12-2002, 06:11 PM

Originally posted by kima
Julie I didn't recommend the two Indian wtiters you mentioned- though I have heard of Vikram Seth. Can you tell me about them? As you know I love Indian books and food!
Also I have not heard of the other authors you mentioned-Russo, Packer,Chidgey. Can you tell me about them?
[/B]

Ah dear friend- you're going to make me work for this, aren't you? ;)
It's great though- I have so many books on my "to-read" list that I can't remember why I added them- what it was about a review or recommendation appealed to me- so doing a little research on these authors has gotten me excited again about reading their works.

My apologies to whomever recommended Seth and Selvadurai- I ran a search, but the book threads are pages and pages long. So, if you are out there, THANK YOU. :)

Here's some write-ups on the authors/books I mentioned FYI:
Vikram Seth
Vikram Seth's prose fiction debut, A Suitable Boy, sold over one million copies worldwide despite the fact that, at 1,349 pages long, it holds the distinction of being the longest single volume ever published in the English language. Now Seth returns with a far shorter, though equally satisfying novel. An Equal Music is a love story, the tale of Michael, a professional violinist who has never recovered from the loss of his only true love, a pianist whom he knew as a student in Vienna. Ten years after their affair has ended, they meet again, and despite the fact that she is now married and has a child, she agrees to accompany Michael and his quartet back to Vienna where their passion is rekindled and secrets are revealed. Seth masterfully conveys the inner life of a musician and deftly articulates the joy and pain of creating music.

Now I remember seeing A Suitable Boy at the library and why I've been saving it for a summer read. IT'S ENORMOUS!!!

Shyam Selvadurai
Speech to The Canadian Bookseller's Association
Cinnamon Gardens was born out of stories my grandmother told me about her sister. She, my grandaunt, was by all accounts a remarkable woman. She had wanted to pursue higher education, to be a lawyer, but her father married her off at nineteen and she went to live in Malaysia...By all accounts, she was a remarkable woman for her time and just the type of person who would make a wonderful character in a novel. Thus, in the winter of 1994 and again in 1995, I went to Malaysia and Sri Lanka to discover more about this woman and also to get a sense of the time in which she had lived.

Richard Russo
'Nobody's Fool,' reviewed by Francine Prose (1993)
"'Nobody's Fool' never slides into the corn-pone hokiness so often found in novels of small-town life . . . [Russo's characters] all have inner lives . . . Russo deals with interesting themes . . . Having praised the novel, one has to say that it's not a consistent pleasure."

'Straight Man' (1997)
". . . strikes me as the funniest serious novel I have read since -- well, maybe since 'Portnoy's Complaint.' . . . The novel's greatest pleasures derive not from any blazing impatience to see what happens next, but from pitch-perfect dialogue, persuasive characterization and a rich progression of scenes . . ."

Ann Packer
Ann Packer�s provocative debut novel, The Dive from Clausen�s Pier, portrays one young woman's conflict between her commitment to the people in her life and of her duty to be true to herself. At turns enigmatic and candid, this absorbing story challenges us to look inward and to ask discomfiting questions about our relationships, our priorities, and our selflessness for which there are neither easy nor definitive answers.

"The Dive from Clausen's Pier is one of those small miracles that reinforce our faith in fiction. It does what the best novels so often do, making the largest things visible by its perfect rendering of life on the smaller scale. It is witty, tragic and touching, and beguiling from the first page." --Scott Turow

Catherine Chidgey
From the cover ��Every contact leaves a trace.�

But when Colette receives a letter from The friends of Patrick Mercer, she has no idea who the man lying unconscious in a hospital on the other side of the world might be. Why is she being written to?

"Golden Deeds" is a novel about the human desire to connect things up. It is about Patrick reconstructing his life in memory and dream. It is about Colette seeking a new life in a city she has just moved to. And it is about Ruth and Malcolm picking up the pieces of their lives after the mysterious disappearance of their daughter.

Warm compassionate, beautifully written, "Golden Deeds" is the second novel from one of New Zealand�s most acclaimed new writers.

Maureen - I do about 60 percent library, 40 percent bookstore. I go for libraries as much as possible, but if it's a favorite author or a classic or if I'm traveling and need a new book, I will buy. Books are also a staple gift between DH and me. We trade in our used/unwanted books at Third Place Books in Seattle and use the credit to make new purchases.

lsdesign - No Great Mischief was pretty intense. I really liked it, but it haunted me for some time after. The Island sounds right up my alley- it goes on the list. I'm all about things Irish/Scottish these days...

Susan - I'm DYING to find out about those Singapore Noodles! Alas, DH is taking McCarthy's Bar with him to Illinois, so I will have to wait until his August return to read it...

Helene - I'm glad you wrote your impressions of Amsterdam. I sat next to a British guy on a recent flight on who was reading Atonement and felt Amsterdam was far better. I loved Atonement, so I'm VERY curious now! Good also to have more feedback on The Constant Gardener. Other Le Carre's I've read always (all 2 of them!) were also pretty melancholy...:(

Peeps

06-12-2002, 06:14 PM

Glad you like them Ellyn - it was Mamasue who originally recommended them. I've actually made some of the recipes and they've all been fantastic. I love her descriptions of cooking something and then the recipe appears! What I find so funny is that I'm reading them in chronological order and the books are set usually only a few months apart - but yet this woman comes across at least one, usually two dead bodies in every book! Geesh- I'd probably have gone nuts if I kept discovering bodies every few weeks while going about my day to day business! :D

mochadelsol

06-12-2002, 07:11 PM

I'm way too weird, but I have this problem when I start a book, I have a problem putting it down. Only because I think I'll actually miss something while I'm gone, DUH!!

magdon

06-12-2002, 07:45 PM

KValley-- let me know what you think about Straight Man. I just read that for my book group and I LOVED it. Very funny. Empire Falls is now on my "to read" list, although I think its very different. It just won the Pulitzer.

In the Indian category, I really enjoyed Death of Vishnu. Did someone mention this or am I imagining things? Very different from most things I read. I liked the way all the characters intertwined.

have to say I was not a big Sharon Kay Penman fan. I read the 2nd? book in the series and could not really get into it which was odd b/c usually I really like romance and I'm a big fan of Elenor of Aquitaine.

kima

06-12-2002, 08:10 PM

Yes I like to make you work Julie- remember use it or lose it baby!:D
Okay I definately know the title Cinnamon gardend but haven't read it so i don't think I recommended it but you never know! If its good I'll take the credit!
Gee Catherine Chidgey's books sound interesting (I read about her at Amazon as well). I think her fist book,the one you called Golden Deeds also has the title The Strength of the Sun at least on Amazon. Her other book In a Fushbone Church also got very favourable reviews.
And Julie aren't you sweet to let Brendan take McCarthy's bar away with him this summer- I bet he knows how lucky he is to have such a generous wife!But hey you get to keep Lucy don't you?

Natasha

06-12-2002, 08:12 PM

Hi Julie and Maureen!

It may have been me who recommended Seth and Selvadurai; in any event, that's not important. Julie, I am so happy that you plan to read the books! They're both such wonderful authors, IMHO.

Take care!
Natasha :)

[Edited 'cause I obviously shouldn't post right before bedtime and with my contacts out. Thanks Maureen! :D Throw the Timbit at you? Never! I'll give you a box for correcting me. ;)]

kima

06-12-2002, 08:13 PM

Just came back to recommend behind the Scenes at the Musuem by Kate Atkinson (again). If you like British writing and humour-a must read. Julie have you read it? If not I'll bring to Seattle for you-but you have to bring it back here to me!!! In person!:)

kima

06-12-2002, 08:15 PM

I bet it was you Natasha!! But a minor correction- Julie hasn't read them yet they are on her summer list! Okay you can throw the timbit at me any time!

Kahlico

06-13-2002, 04:14 AM

I'm about finished with Anna Karenina . With any luck I'll have time to finish tomorrow.

I think my next read will be The Brothers Karamazov . That and one more book should have me set until the end of the year. I've cut way back on my magazine reading :D

Natasha

06-13-2002, 06:11 AM

Originally posted by kima
I bet it was you Natasha!! But a minor correction- Julie hasn't read them yet they are on her summer list! Okay you can throw the timbit at me any time!

Thanks sweetie - I just edited my post. :D Thanks for pointing it out. You deserve a big box of Timbits for that! Guess I was overeager for Julie to read the books already! :p

Natasha

KValley

06-13-2002, 08:32 AM

Originally posted by kima
Gee Catherine Chidgey's books sound interesting (I read about her at Amazon as well). I think her fist book,the one you called Golden Deeds also has the title The Strength of the Sun at least on Amazon. Her other book In a Fushbone Church also got very favourable reviews.

Golden Deeds must be the New Zealand title - I checked the list in my wallet and I did write down Strength of the Sun Isn't it funny that they do this?

And Julie aren't you sweet to let Brendan take McCarthy's bar away with him this summer- I bet he knows how lucky he is to have such a generous wife!But hey you get to keep Lucy don't you?

Alas, no! I'm going to be husband-less AND dog-less for TWO MONTHS!!! We thought Lucy would have more fun on the farm with her best buddy Bandit, the Blue Heeler. SO, I guess the party's at my place, eh :D It's going to be weird to be so alone... :( I'd love it if you brought the Kate Atkinson book with you- a perfect excuse to make a trip north this summer :D

magdon I'm so glad you like Richard Russo. I'd honestly never heard of him, then two people over two days raved on and on about him, so I am intrigued. I loved the movie Nobody's Fool- I never realized it was a book! :o

Natasha I'll thank you in advance for the recommendations! It may take me all summer to wade through A Suitable Boy, but it looks well worth the trek!

Kahlico Anna Karenina is one of my favorites! I slogged my way through THe Brothers Karamazov- just this side of torture :p

beacooker

06-13-2002, 08:42 AM

Russian authors - oog. After attempting Crime and Punishment , Anna Karenina and The Brothers Karamazov and failing each miserably, I have given up on them. Too many counts and countesses, viceroys and whatevers, and I guess because I am not used to Russian names, all the names sound similar to me, so I can't tell one character from another. I have always heard really good things about Anna Karenina, though, so I probably should try again. Maybe I'll rent the movie before-hand, so I can get an idea of the characters/plot, which may help me read it. Although usually I hate the movie if I have read the book, for books I have a hard time getting into, sometimes it helps me to see the movie first.

Since I first replied to this thread, I have started reading Time and Again by Jack Finney. Its about a time travel experiment, where you travel in time by immersing yourself in the day-to-day life of an historical period (i.e. they set up an apartment to be exactly like it would have been in that time period, and send in copies of newspapers from that time period, etc), and then one day you just *are* in that period, instead of pretending. I'm not really doing justice to it in my explanation, but it is very interesting. But I have always been fascinated with the concept of time travel.

Kahlico

06-13-2002, 08:17 PM

Originally posted by KValley
Kahlico Anna Karenina is one of my favorites! I slogged my way through THe Brothers Karamazov- just this side of torture :p [/B]

I really enjoyed Crime and Punishment once I understood how the names worked. That made Anna Karenina easier for me although I'd like to reread both sometime without having to thumb back through to remember who's related to who (whom?). I agree with Bea that it is a head spinner trying to remember princesses, princes, countesses, etc. and why they're all necessary :p

My all time favorite is The Great Gatsby but I can't read the very end. It makes me too sad everytime :( I think I've read all of Fitzgerald's short stories and all his novels except The Last Tycoon .

~Emilie

mochadelsol

06-13-2002, 09:54 PM

Emilie, I also have read all of Fitzgerald, loved most everything. I went though a time in my late 20's of reading only the classic's, I thoughly enjoy myself!

kima

06-13-2002, 10:01 PM

Just wanted to tell beacooker-your quote cracks me up!
Victoria where I live is the senior capital of Canada-you would not believe the things I see on the road almost everyday (yes I mean senior drivers), I try and be patient and tolerate but admit to a bit of ageism! I should make a video tape-you wouldn't believe it!

sneezles

06-13-2002, 10:23 PM

Originally posted by mochadelsol
I'm way too weird, but I have this problem when I start a book, I have a problem putting it down. Only because I think I'll actually miss something while I'm gone, DUH!!

Me, too! Have done this all my life-one of the reasons I read about 4 books a week is because I can't put them down and when I do I'm haunted by the fact that it's sitting there on the table waiting!

Or after you finish the book, you wonder what if there were still more pages what would be happening?

lsdesign

06-14-2002, 06:22 AM

Magdon, I read "Empire Falls" back in Feb. It is kind of a sleepy paced read. I liked it ok but not as much as some others I've read recently. I also wanted to put a plug in here for the Tim Gautreaux books. Short stories called "Welding with Children" and a novel, which was very very good "Last Step in the Dance". Both set in cajun country but without the annoying spelling that tries to mimic an accent. That is why I could never get into the Nancy Mitford books. I kept stumbling over the southern accent. Better to hear it my dear than to read it.

dcornelius

06-14-2002, 05:29 PM

The site you recommended is the coolest site since our CLBB! I registered four books and even "released one into the wild" today! I looked for a couple today also but to no avail. I can't believe it but there was even one "released" in the place where I work and I didn't know it! I checked for it and didn't find it though. I am going to release two of the others I registered, but the third I have to keep until my DD reads it. The one I "released" was recommeded here on our BB A Handmaidens Tale. My DD loves the site too and is going as I type to "release" one of her books! Thank you so much for the recommendation!

JackieO

06-14-2002, 09:47 PM

I will admit to not going through this entire thread, but I did do a search on The Nanny Diaries and found no results. Read it last weekend, very quick, very humorous, touching and sad, all at the same time. My step-daughter has been a nanny/child-care provider for almost 10 years and thoroughly agrees with the premise of the book: The nanny accepts her role while learning "the insane amount of juggling involved to ensure that a Park Avenue wife who doesn't work, cook, clean, or raise her own child has a smooth day."

Made me feel a whole lot more "adequate" about parenting DS!

My current "project" is reading Katharine Graham's memoir, "Personal History." Got a great start on it while on vacation last weekend, but have yet to pick it up after getting home Tuesday. :rolleyes:

Canice

06-14-2002, 11:26 PM

Originally posted by JackieO
My current "project" is reading Katharine Graham's memoir, "Personal History." Got a great start on it while on vacation last weekend, but have yet to pick it up after getting home Tuesday. :rolleyes:

Loooooved that book! What a remarkable life.

sushibones

06-15-2002, 03:57 PM

Originally posted by KValley

The Amber Spyglass William Pullman THe third of his Dark Arts trilogy. Some of the most amazing youg adult fantasy I have ever read- this series ranks right up there with The Chronicles of Narnia and THe Lord of the Rings- very complex and rich themes and imagery- adults will be moved and children captivated. Good stuff here.

For those of you who may be interested in this, the author is Philip Pullman. I had trouble finding in our library catalog until I searched by title.

Thanks for the recommendation, Julie. I'm always looking for good fantasy books for my 16 yr old son (and for myself as well). The 1st volume of the series is available at our local library, so I will be picking that one up for him, hoping to lure him away from the computer for part of the summer. :rolleyes:

RebeccaT

06-20-2002, 09:22 AM

Since I originally posted on this thread, I have finished Prodigal Summer (loved it! new favorite book!) and started and finished The River King. That was a really fun, quirky book - written by Alice Hoffman, the same person who wrote Practical Magic and may others. It is sort of suspenseful, sort of a love story, sort of a character novel. I really enjoyed it, and it made my 4 hour layover (gotta love flight delays) in the Atlanta airport this week go much faster! It was a very quick read.

I just started The Blind Assassin, which I am enjoying so far. It's a neat twist, with the whole "story within a story" and the use of newspaper articles as a plot vehicle. It has gotten mixed reviews on the BB, so I will let you know what I think when I finish. I am only about 100 pages into it right now, but so far, so good!

sneezles

06-20-2002, 09:28 AM

Was thinking of posting a new thread since I don't know if kworrman will check this out or not but just finished (actually read it in 6 hours...) James Patterson's The Beach House very fast read but good. A second year law student at Columbia Law takes on the system in his hometown when his brohter is murdered.

JackieO

06-20-2002, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by RebeccaT
Since I originally posted on this thread, I have finished Prodigal Summer (loved it! new favorite book!)

I felt that way after reading Prodigal Summer , too! If you haven't read her other novels Bean Trees and Pigs In Heaven , do so. I'm sure you'll enjoy them.

dcornelius

06-20-2002, 09:43 AM

Barnes and Noble in my area has a bunch of books from the Oprah reading club list on sale for $6-$7 hard back novels. I bought four and spent less than $30. with tax! Just thought I'd let you all know check out your local B&N. Not all the books on the Oprah list have been real good but hey? for that price it's worth the risk and when you are done with them the bookcrossing.com (http://bookcrossing.com) thing is real fun and a great way to recycle your already read books!:D

Susan

06-24-2002, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by Elisabeth
Fun thread!

I just finished an incredibly inventive and creative first novel, called The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde; it's hard to describe but I'll give it a try. It's set in an alternate universe in London, where there's time travel for one, where the Crimean War has been raging on for well over one hundred years, and where the greatest crime is to tamper with literary masterpieces. The main character is a literary detective who must track a brilliant criminal who is kidnapping characters from canonical British novels and killing them. Jane Eyre plays an important role, so there are lots of funny moments where characters infiltrate Jane Eyre or the characters in Jane Eyre leave the pages of their novel.

Whoohooo! I just found this one tonight at my library in the "new" section. I started reading it at the library and am hooked! Thanks for the recommendation, Elisabeth! :D I'll be up late tonight reading!
~Susan~

lsdesign

06-25-2002, 07:02 AM

I did not care for Prodigal Summer. I found it to be a bit preachy. Men are stubborn and not in touch with themselves, women are rarified beings in harmony with nature and themselves. Sorry.

DmOrtega

06-25-2002, 09:58 AM

My daughter and I are in a Mother-Daughter book group and we are currently reading "I Was a Rat!" by Philip Pullman. We are almost finished with the book. The story is about a boy that shows up on the doorstep of an older couple, that never had children. He tells tham that he was a rat. He behaves as if he still is, inside. I guess we will have to finish the book to find out if he stays a boy.

claire797

06-25-2002, 01:25 PM

I just finished Running In Heels, by Anna Maxted. It was cute. Before that, I read The Nanny Diaries and before that I finished Shopaholic Takes Manhattan. These days, I like light stuff.....obviously.

I just started Jacquelyn Michard's Theory of Relativity and so far it is DEPRESSING! If it doesn't get any better, I'm going to stop reading and move on to About a Boy.

rpysher

06-25-2002, 02:02 PM

Hi,

Just finished reading Summer House by June Devreau and that was a quick read. Previous to that I read The Nanny Diaries and thoroughly enjoyed that. I also read Susanna's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson it was also a quick and easy read. I liked the ending to The Last Time We Ever Met by Anita Shreve and I currently have another book out from the library from her. I loved Fall on Your Knees .
I'm planning on reading the second Harry Potter Book.

Happy reading.
Robin

Jen

06-25-2002, 11:20 PM

rpysher, it sounds like we have similar tastes! I think I've read all those books in the last month or two, except the first one...

Chris415

06-26-2002, 06:29 AM

I just had to add that we're going to read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for our next book! Someone else suggested it, not me, although it was on my list after all the recommendations from this list! I think it's just so great when an "old" book gets a new audience! :)

Natasha

06-26-2002, 06:39 AM

I've finally decided (after seeing it in the bookstores for years) to read The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (thanks, Gina!). ;) So far so good...though I have to say that I strongly prefer reading about the Ya-Yas than about Sidda and her current life. Those segments of the book just don't grab me much - at least not yet (I'm about half finished).

I may or may not see the movie someday. Actually, probably I will, but maybe on video.

In the meantime, I'm also reading a book about the life of Anne Boleyn, but it's not purely historical. There's an element of fiction as well. Actually, it's just a Jean Plaidy book translated into Spanish. It's long and is going to take me a while to get through, but so far I'm quite enjoying it.

Susan, hope you're enjoying The Eyre Affair so far! I still need to find that book.

Rebecca, can't wait to hear what you thought of The Blind Assassin. :) I ... well, anyway, I won't get into what I thought of it :p but as you say, it has gotten mixed reviews on the boards, right? I have read a few Atwood books but my favourite will always be the classic The Edible Woman. It gets better and better the more times I read it. Some of her newer stuff is just too out-there for me (maybe I'm not adventurous enough)? I did love Alias Grace, though.

Natasha

claire797

06-26-2002, 07:01 AM

Originally posted by Natasha

I have read a few Atwood books but my favourite will always be the classic The Edible Woman. It gets better and better the more times I read it. Some of her newer stuff is just too out-there for me (maybe I'm not adventurous enough)? I did love Alias Grace, though.

Natasha

Natasha,

I love Margaret Atwood and the Edible Woman was SUCH a good book. I keep thinking it would make a really good movie.

Natasha

06-26-2002, 07:57 AM

Originally posted by claire797

Natasha,

I love Margaret Atwood and the Edible Woman was SUCH a good book. I keep thinking it would make a really good movie.

It definitely WOULD make a great movie; you're so right!! :) Please pass along that idea to the folks in Hollywood, would ya? ;) Earlier this year, I heard of a theatre group doing The Edible Woman, and I really wanted to go, but it didn't work out. Too bad!

Natasha

Gina O

06-26-2002, 08:03 AM

Glad you are enjoying Ya-Ya Girlfriend! :) I do tend to agree that the Sidda story line was considerably less compelling, but I do feel it gave a good context for her need for discovery. When you are done, we can talk more! :) Gina

emily

06-26-2002, 10:33 AM

Natasha,

If you prefer stories about the Ya-Yas you should definately check out Little Alters Everywhere. I don't know whether this is technically the prequel, but it does take place in time before Ya-Ya. If I remember correctly (it's been a few years for me) I enjoyed that one more.

I'm currently reading Kitchen Confidential, which is pleasurable, until I manage to make it to the library to pick up the four books I have on hold; all recommendations from here (Yes, Lisa, one is the Simple Living Guide :p).

emily

rpysher

06-26-2002, 12:01 PM

Hi Jen,

I also read The Eagle and The Rose by Rosemary Altea and found that very fascinating. I also enjoyed While I was Gone by Sue Miller. Cannot get into Fortunes Rocks by Anita Shreve and I was recommend All About Eve. I was also toying with the idea of rereading The Clan of the Cave Bear series since the new book is out.....

Robin

emily

06-26-2002, 03:18 PM

Huh? There's a new book in the Clan of the Cave Bear series? Wasn't that originally published long ago? I didn't know that they were still making new ones... is it by Auel (is that how you spell her name?) I'm confused. :confused:

Although I've read the series and they seemed to decline after the second... Still, I'd be interested to hear reviews on that...

em

Natasha

06-26-2002, 04:50 PM

Namaste, Emily! :)

Thanks for the tip about the other Wells book (Little Altars...). I will have to read it - maybe next!

Natasha

Mickey17

06-26-2002, 05:49 PM

Jewel You are not alone. Lately Nora Roberts has been my favorite author. I love her murder/romanance/supernatural books.

Peeps- Am I missing something about Confessions of a Shopaholic? Because I can not seem to get into it. Maybe the character is a little too like what I was at an earlier age, but it is just PAINFUL to read. It seems like a knock off of sorts of Bridget Jones.

Right now I am reading a bunch of things, but unfortunately I keep getting sucked back into the brain candy that is romance novels. But here is the list,

John Adams biography
Moving Target Elizabeth Lowell
Slave to Fashion
The New Thought Police

I can't wait to get Daddy's Little Girl, Fast Food Nation, and The Nanny Diaries although I am trying to make myself read the books I have before I buy more. That will last about 2 weeks. (if that)

rpysher

06-26-2002, 07:44 PM

Emily

Hi,
YEs there is a new book to the Clan of the Cave Bear Series by JEan Auel. It has been such a long time ago since I read them that I was toying with rereading Clan of the Cavebear only because I loved that book. The I read the other two, but I did not enjoy them as much.

Robin

SusanT

06-26-2002, 08:50 PM

I recently finished Seabiscuit which I thoroughly enjoyed and am currently reading Killing Pablo by the author of Black Hawk Down. In between, I've read Miss Julia Speaks her Mind by Ann Ross which is in the Fried Green Tomatoes vein of Southern fiction. It was very enjoyable and quick read. A nice breather from the non-fiction.

I can't get my hands on The Nanny Dairies and I don't buy hardbacks so I'll just have to be patient. I did try to read The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing but couldn't finish it. I found the main character uninvolving.

Has anyone read Botany of Desire? That's next on my list. I'm on a non-fiction kick right now.

Slknight - DH read Close to Shore aloud to me on a car trip and I made him keep reading it to me after we got home. It was a thrilling book to hear read aloud. I felt like a kid with a great bedtime story.

Svadhisthana

06-26-2002, 09:21 PM

I just read "One True Thing" by Anna Quindlen. I was half way thru it when I remembered that it was a movie as well. I might be the only one who hasn't seen the movie version. I'll have to do that sometime.

Peggy

06-27-2002, 11:53 PM

Last night I finished Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. I loved it and now will allow myself to see the movie.

Next in line is Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende. This is the book chosen for my Book Club next month.

Peggy

sneezles

06-28-2002, 09:50 AM

Yesterday I read Ann Packer's The Dive from Clausen's Pier, it was so well written and the story so compelling that I read it in one day!
Has anyone read her book Mendicino and Other Stories? I was hoping for a review before I go hunting for it.

kima

06-28-2002, 11:22 AM

I am reading acouple of books I bought at Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle (gee what was I doing there???:D ). I love that bookstore-in fact I was there for about three hours!!!! Now I want to get to Powell's in Portland!
Anyway, I bought Tender to the Bone and More Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin. I alternate reading a chapter in each book! Has anyone tried any of the recipes in these books? I think ALL books should have recipes scattered throughout them-can you imagine??
:)
Sneezles-I am dying to read that Ann Packer book-must put it on hold at the library! Don't you guys wish we could meet and have a giant book swap???

dcornelius

06-28-2002, 02:47 PM

I am currently reading Backroadsby Tawni O'dell. It was one of the Oprah books I posted about earlier in the thread about being on sale at B&N. I am finding it to be quite "dark". When I said this to a friend of mine she told me that most of the books she had read that had been on the Oprah book club list were also dark. Have you all had the same experience? I hate to think I just bought four books that are gonna be dark and gloomy and depress the heck out of me.... The writing is good I guess but the mood of the book is... not a happy one...

rpysher

07-04-2002, 11:40 AM

Hi,

I am currently reading The Lovely Bones by Sebold (forgot the first name) and it is very interesting. It was mentioned in the August edition of Oprah magazine.

Natasha

07-04-2002, 11:48 AM

Jen - I love your new avatar and "tagline"! :)

Recent reads: I am almost finished reading P.D. James' Death in Holy Orders. It is pretty good. Quite long, but not boring. I don't like a couple of subplots, but by and large it's an interesting read. :)

I also finished rereading The Diviners by Margaret Laurence. I first read it when I was about 14 or 15, and didn't like it. I was disappointed because I had LOVED The Stone Angel. However, I now realize that I was too young then to appreciate The Diviners. It was like a whole different book the second time around.

Natasha

JHolcomb

07-05-2002, 06:35 AM

I just finished reading Janet Evanovich's latest book (Hard 8) and Robert Parker's latest Spencer book (Widow's Walk). MIL got me hooked on mysteries. Luckily, she buys them when they come out in hardcover and passes them on to me when she's done (and she's a fast reader :) ). I also just finished Running With Scissors . Lisa3575, you would really like this one. It's the memoir of this guy who grows up in the most messed up household you can imagine (dad's an alcoholic, mom's psychotic, mom gives kid to her psychiatrist who is a nutjob himself), yet he manages to find humor in it. If you liked the Dan Savage book (The Kid, right?) and I know you love Sedaris, then you should read this one. It's a bit depressing, really, but worthwhile. I'm also in the middle of reading Ursula La Guin's first book in the Earthsea series, The Wizard of Earthsea. I'm getting into it...slowly. Oh well, it's only about 150 pages. I think I may try to tackle Catch 22 next. It's staring at me from my bookcase.

Elisabeth

07-05-2002, 08:15 AM

I have got to get to the library after reading through this thread!!

I'm reading Two Gardeners: The Letters of Katharine White and Elizabeth Lawrence (hope that's the right title!). It's very enjoyable--both White (the wife of E.B. White and an editor and writer herself) and Lawrence were gardeners and garden writers; they discovered each other after Lawrence wrote White a fan letter about a gardening column she wrote for The New Yorker. I love reading personal letters!

And this book inspired me to pick up Katharine White's Onward and Upward in the Garden, a collection of the essays she wrote for The New Yorker. THey're mostly reviews of seed and flower catalogs and garden books; she's quite a good writer.

Also just listened to Diane Johnson's Le Divorce on tape. I wouldn't have liked this if I had read it myself, but I did enjoy having it read to me. She's updating Henry James's American-girl-in-Europe theme. I also heard they're making a movie of it!

401krep

07-05-2002, 10:21 AM

I took this list to the library with me before I went on vacation and I must say the "The Last Time They Met" by Anita Shreve was one of the best books that I have ever read! I can't get over how great and unexpected the ending was! Please go read this and thanks to whomever first posted this recommendation at the beginning of the thread. What a wonderful book!

I'm about to read "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn". I also just finished "Tender at the Bone", but was disappointed at how the book ended when she was still pretty new in her career.

Vanessa

dcornelius

07-05-2002, 08:59 PM

I gotta tell you, I was disappointed. I would classify it as almost pronographic. I like to pass my books on to my DD but I gave this one away as I don't want my DD reading it. I didn't even put it on the Bookcrossing.com site as it is not something I would list as a "good book" in my opinion. Why then did you continue reading you are asking....ok, it was twisted and intreguing (sp?) but not something I would recommmend to any one I wanted to respect me....:o

claire797

07-06-2002, 06:46 AM

Originally posted by dcornelius
I am currently reading Backroadsby Tawni O'dell. It was one of the Oprah books I posted about earlier in the thread about being on sale at B&N. I am finding it to be quite "dark". When I said this to a friend of mine she told me that most of the books she had read that had been on the Oprah book club list were also dark. Have you all had the same experience? I hate to think I just bought four books that are gonna be dark and gloomy and depress the heck out of me.... The writing is good I guess but the mood of the book is... not a happy one...

Vinegar Hill was dark too. I usually don't mind dark books, but Vinegar Hill was just so dark and downbeat I could barely read it. It had no redeeming qualities IMHO.

Meg O'C

07-06-2002, 12:50 PM

Claire,

I had the same problem with Vinegar Hill - could not even finish it!

ChristineLiu

07-06-2002, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by beacooker
Debie, The World According to Garp is one of my favorites ever, too. Has anyone read Irving's latest - The Fourth Hand ? I haven't read it yet, and am looking for reviews. I have read just about everything Irving ever wrote, but I am finding him harder and harder to read. I really enjoyed the first half of A Widow For One Year, but not the second half.

I just finished Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany. Like all of Irving's books, slightly disturbing, but has a lot of material for readers to think about. I am also in the middle of the first Lord of the Rings book. Intermingling with the "classics," I have been reading Brian Jacques' Redwall series for light reading (fantasy set in Mossflower Woods in England where the main characters are woodland creatures--mice, rats, snakes, moles, etc.). Very cute. I also recently finished Caryl Rivers' Virgins and the sequel Girls Forever Brave and True. I am currently waiting on Christopher somebody's (sorry, forgot his name) Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. In case anyone's wondering, I work on about 3 books at a time.

JJ40

07-08-2002, 11:08 AM

I, too, want to re-read the Clan of the Cave Bear series. I read them years ago and remember really liking them.

I have liked a couple of Oprah's picks (loved What looks like crazy on an ordinary day! But HATED Backroads and Vinegar Hill. Blech!! I can't believe she selected those, especially Backroads.

I just picked up The Best Thing I Ever Tasted...has anyone read that?

Julie

dcornelius

07-08-2002, 11:21 AM

Gap Creek by Robert Morgan, also on Oprah's list, one of the four books I got on sale at B&N. It is better than Backroads for sure! A bit depressing... I still have Mother Of Pearl by Melinda Haynes and White Oleander by Janet Fitch to go yet. I guess next time I buy books I will go for something other that Oprah's list for a while. I think I will make a list from this thread and get a couple of those. I gotta read what I've got first like a good girl. :rolleyes: I think White Oleander is a movie now isn't it?

Natasha

07-08-2002, 11:41 AM

dcornelius,

I'd be interested to hear what you think of White Oleander once you've had a chance to read it. I read it not too long ago and have to say that I found it depressing. :( But it did get some good reviews and feedback when it first came out so I think I may be in the minority there! I hope you like it more than I did!

I'd also like to hear how Mother of Pearl is!

Smiles,
Natasha

dcornelius

07-08-2002, 11:43 AM

I'll be sure and come back here when I get through them.

JJ40

07-08-2002, 01:16 PM

dcornelius, I really liked White Oleander. I found the writing to be very beautiful. Haven't read Mother of Pearl yet...

Tina_B

07-08-2002, 03:55 PM

Thanks to the recommendation on this BB, I just finished Cinnamon Gardens by Shyam Selvadurai. His characters were so human and the writing beautiful. I love both Rohinton Mistry and Vikram Seth, so this was a great find. Next to read is his first novel, Funny Boy, which I just got from the library.

I'm finishing off Bee Season, also a BB recommendation. Different, yet fascinating.

JHolcomb

07-08-2002, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by ChristineLiu

I just finished Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany. Like all of Irving's books, slightly disturbing, but has a lot of material for readers to think about. I am also in the middle of the first Lord of the Rings book. Intermingling with the "classics," I have been reading Brian Jacques' Redwall series for light reading (fantasy set in Mossflower Woods in England where the main characters are woodland creatures--mice, rats, snakes, moles, etc.). Very cute. I also recently finished Caryl Rivers' Virgins and the sequel Girls Forever Brave and True. I am currently waiting on Christopher somebody's (sorry, forgot his name) Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. In case anyone's wondering, I work on about 3 books at a time.

Christopher Moore wrote Lamb. Is it really funny? I enjoyed Practical Demonkeeping,

I LOVE A Prayer for Owen Meany. I've been through 2 or 3 paperback copies of it (meaning read so often I've worn them out). I could not get into The Fourth Handat all, though.

dcornelius

07-09-2002, 10:58 AM

At first I thought it was just gonna be another sad and depressing book but in the end I enjoyed it. There were plenty of sad parts but the story was good and it ended on an up note which helped considerably. I would recommend it. It made me "feel" and I like a book that does that. On to White Oleander.... Isn't this fun!:D

granolagirl

07-16-2002, 10:06 AM

I'm reading Memoirs of a Geisha. So far, so good! I'm also reading Paris to the Moon, which is good, too.

nlh

07-16-2002, 10:38 AM

I heard Gap Creek as an audio book driving to SC last year. I hated to stop the car, I got so into it. What a great "strong spirited woman" book!

I read The Scarlet Pimpernel over the weekend. I don't think I'd ever read it before. It started slow and I almost quit reading it but I kept going and it got pretty good.

eas11

07-25-2002, 04:49 PM

Like many folks, I usually keep my summer reading light and simple (why is that???) but I finished Blackbird, Jennifer Laucks memoir last week, and I've not been able to read anything since. Until today that is, when the sequel Still Waters arrived in the mail from a half.com order. This story of Laucks childhood was so absorbing, as heartbreaking and shocking as it was. Her writing style is novelistic, but so real I wanted to reach into the pages of this book and hug this child. If you can handle the subjects of loss and emotional abuse, I highly recommend the book. I look forward to a resolution/peace in Still Waters.

Ellyn

kima

07-25-2002, 05:07 PM

I have just started the much ballyhooed the Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Will see....:confused:

HejazSunKat

07-25-2002, 10:41 PM

Originally posted by Jewel
Doesn't anybody read smut anymore!!??

lol Jewel :D I do! Sometimes...depends on what I'm in the mood for. Isn't it funny how 'beach reads' fall into this category? Like you need an excuse to read something that is just plain fun?

A couple of my favorite 'beach reads':

:) The Stefanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich (One For the Money was the first one then they go up by number Two for the Dough etc...
:) The Spenser books by Robert B. Parker - Excellent, snappy dialogue, easy reading and set in Boston (the Hub of the Universe! :) )
:) Anything by Peter Mayle who writes, very humorously, about his life in Provence. I think French Lessons: Adventures with Knife, Fork & Corkscrew may be the latest.
:)How Stella Got Her Groove Back - by Terry McMillan - or anything by this author really...
:)The Adrian Mole books by Sue Townsend - These are hilarious! She does them in diary format and the main character is like a male Bridget Jones.

I also LOVED Angela's Ashes and the sequel 'Tis by Frank McCourt. At first I didn't want to read them because I thought "Why would I want to read about somebody's rotten childhood?" but then a friend talked me into it and I really enjoyed them.

Somebody else on this thread (and since it's now so long I can't find who it was to give them credit! :)) recommended The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and I can second that emotion wholeheartedly. That was without a doubt one of the best books I have EVER read. I also really, really liked Noble House and Tai Pan by James Clavell

Now for something REALLY different and REALLY good....if you like fantasy at all find this:
Daughter of the Empire by Raymond Feist and Janny Wurts
This is the first of a trilogy and it has a kick-*** female protagonist. The trilogy is all about this character outwitting, outlasting and out-playing her enemies through political machinations on a far away world. I know...this sounds like a wacky recommendation but, as God is my witness, these were excellent books. Even my husband loved them.

Finally a weird thing happened to me last night...I just found Atonement in paperback in my local bookstore in Saudi Arabia??? I thought it just came out in hardcover?