July Book Thread: 7/7-7/13

[beckms]

How about a new thread for a new week?

I'm trudging through Mary Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser after my interest in the era was piqued by The Other Boleyn Girl. Has anyone read Mary? Does it pick up? I'm not even 100 pages in, and I've been at it for almost a week...should I give up? I have so many books to read, I don't want to get stuck on one (plus my dad got me a copy of Harry Potter over the weekend...whee!).

How about everyone else? Any good books out there?:D

[TLee4]

Through all of your recommendations, I am currently reading The Magic of Ordinary Days . I am REALLY enjoying it.

Terri

[jjsooner73]

I have recently read Fallen Angels by Tracy Chevalier (she also wrote Girl with a Pearl Earring). I really enjoyed both of her books.

I also read The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst. It was a sad book, dark at times, but I enjoyed it for the dog behaviorisms (is that a word???) :D
A man comes home to find his wife dead after a fall from a tree in the backyard. The way she fell is not consistant with suicide and it is ruled an accident, though noone can figure out why she was in the tree in the first place. The man, a linguistic professor, realized the family dog is the only living being who really knows what happened, so he sets himself to the task of teaching his dog to communicate. Along the way, he learns other things the ultimately leads him to his own conclusion of what happened. THe story goes back and forth between the courtship of his wife to present time and provides for some interesting insights.

Currently, I am reading The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch (Amazon Link (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/006008166X/qid=1057590130/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-9063725-7640059?v=glance&s=books)). I'm barely into it, but it looks like it's going to be a fun read. It takes place in East Texas and is the story of Lucy after she becomes a widow at the age of 33 and moves back to her small home town.

[NewMrsG]

I just finished Quentins (Maeve Binchy) over the weekend. Predictable, but a light and interesting read.

Started Emperor of Ocean Park and it's slow going ... anyone read it?

[MusicMom]

I took Homeland, a book of short stories by Barbara Kingsolver, along on vacation two weeks ago. Halfway into the second story, I realized that I had already read the book. It was still good, but I wished I would have had something new to explore.

I just finished Distinguished Guest by Sue Miller- an excellent (fiction) book about family relationships. I caught a few typos in the text, but still enjoyed the story.

Next up: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. DS and DD have given it two thumbs up.

jjsooner73 The Girl with a Pearl Earring is on my bedside table, waiting for me. I'm glad to hear a positive review- I'll read that one after Harry.

[KAnn]

The Magic of Ordinary Days was just wonderful. I've been hoping for something else from this author. It seems like since the events of 9/11, I have just really been drawn to "gentle" fiction.

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by NewMrsG

Started Emperor of Ocean Park and it's slow going ... anyone read it?

I tried, but just couldn't stick with it. Maybe you will have better luck than me.

Just finished Laura Lippman's In a Strange City and started Lisa Scottoline's The Vendetta Defense. I have always liked both of these authors.

[dixie]

I began reluctantly reading LONDON by Edward Rutherfurd...my daughter has to read it before school starts in August and I told her I'd read it with her to help keep her on track. Its over 1100 pages of historical fiction and I've not been looking forward to it...but it is very very good. I'm over half way finished and am really enjoying it (which is more than I can say for my 16 yr old!)

[NewMrsG]

The Girl with a Pearl Earring is on my bedside table, waiting for me. I'm glad to hear a positive review- I'll read that one after Harry.

I also really loved this book - just a really interesting set-up for the story.

Terrytx: Thanks - I feel better! I hate when I have trouble with a book that everyone else seems to love or had wonderful reviews.

[sherri]

I read the Emperor of Ocean Park over Christmas...I was hooked. I really liked the book, but I was very fond of the main character Misha. I think it may have started out a little slower, but overall it was great. I have really heard mixed reviews about this one, people seem to love or hate it.

[stefania4]

I just finished Cane River for my book club. I have to admit I didn't care for it; in reading about each generation of the family I just felt like I was reading the same story yet again.

For fun I picked up a copy of Adrian Mole: The Cappucino Years. I was literally laughing out loud as I read it - just love those stories!

Next for book club I'll read Mordecai: An Early American Family, about several generations of a Jewish family in the formative years of the US - the Continental Congress, Nat Turner's revolt, the beginnings of the Civil War, etc. Our minister included it on the list because she heard such a great review of it on NPR.

Interestingly and unexpectedly, DH has picked up my beloved copy of The Poisonwood Bible. He seems to be enjoying it thus far.

[sherri]

Oh my, I loved Cane River, I thought the story was so interesting. I am sorry to hear you did not enjoy it. I found the story so interesting. It is so interesting to hear different opinions about books!

[Jessica]

Wow, I miss a week and I miss TWO book threads. Y'all are amazing readers...

Terrytx--I love Laura Lippman and have read all her books. I am going to try Lisa Scottoline, too.

My recent reads include:

Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler. I am sensing a sameness to her books--all those sad and lonely characters--but I like her writing style. The stories sort of mosey along.

Four to Score by Janet Evanovich. As Stephanie Plum would say, "Ommigod!" This series about a female bounty hunter in Trenton, NJ., is a riot and I think this was the funniest one ever.

Telling Lies for Fun and Profit by Lawrence Block. I adore his mystery novels. This is a nonfiction book about how to write fiction--I don't write fiction but I was curious about the process. A terrific book for anyone who likes to write.

Just started Tracks by Louise Erdrich.

As for Harry Potter, I read the books aloud to my DH and we are slow--we are in the middle of book three. I will have to skip the HP book club for now.

[beckms]

OK, I gave up on Mary Queen of Scots, at least for now. I hate putting a book down unread, but I can't be wasting time, not when HP was calling my name, all pretty in its monochrome slipcover...:p And, as promised, it's great so far!

My mom gave me a whole bag of books when I was visiting for the 4th. Any opinions on these?

The Kalahari Typing School for Men Alexander McCall Smith
Middlesex Jeffrey Eugenides
A Suitable Boy Vikram Seth
The God of Small Things Arundhati Roy
Ex Libris Anne Fadiman

So much to read! I need 10 pairs of eyes!
:cool:

[stefania4]

Originally posted by Jessica
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler. I am sensing a sameness to her books--all those sad and lonely characters--but I like her writing style. The stories sort of mosey along.
[/B]That was the first Anne Tyler book I read and I just loved it!

[britneyelise]

I am currently reading two books:

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, can't believe I haven't read this before

Also The Soul of a Chef by Michael Ruhlman. He also wrote "The Making of a Chef" which I really enjoyed, in this one he is describing the process some go through to become a CMC "Certified Master Chef".

Shannon

[Jessica]

Originally posted by beckms
OK, Any opinions on these?

The Kalahari Typing School for Men Alexander McCall Smith


I read the first in this series, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, and really enjoyed it. The stories are set in Botswana and the main character is a detective, but they aren't written like traditional mystery novels--more like connected short stories with a mystery theme.

[Chefzhat]

I just finished Portofino by Frank Schaeffer - what a hoot! I have some friends that are piously religious and this book was soooo true to life and highlighted exactly what irritates me about about the few people that are truly, deeply, condescendingly christian followers.

Next up: Animal Dream by Barbara Kingsolver, and A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris. My sister gave me a bag of books over the weekend and I'm in heaven! But also I'm not reading anything that's current! Oh well. You'll all be getting old novel reviews from me.

Debie

[stefania4]

Originally posted by Chefzhat
Next up: Animal Dream by Barbara KingsolverGreat book!

I'll have to give Portofino a whirl.

[beckms]

Originally posted by Chefzhat
I just finished Portofino by Frank Schaeffer - what a hoot! I have some friends that are piously religious and this book was soooo true to life and highlighted exactly what irritates me about about the few people that are truly, deeply, condescendingly christian followers.

Next up: Animal Dream by Barbara Kingsolver, and A Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris. My sister gave me a bag of books over the weekend and I'm in heaven! But also I'm not reading anything that's current! Oh well. You'll all be getting old novel reviews from me.

Debie

Have you read Poisonwood Bible by Kingsolver? You'll probably enjoy it.

[Chefzhat]

I worked so hard to get interested in Poisonwood Bible and just couldn't do it. It's one of the few books that I've had to put down without finishing. Funny, because I love all her other books. Sigh . . .

[Jessica]

Debie--I am not sure how far you got with Poisonwood Bible, but I had to read about a third of the book before the story grabbed me. A friend kept encouraging me to continue reading and by the middle of the book, I could not put it down. I liked all of her other novels, except Prodigal Summer.

[sherri]

I just finished SISTER OF MY HEART. It was a touching novel about two Indian cousins. I really enjoyed the book. I am going to get the sequel THE VINE OF DESIRE from my library.
Now, I am reading A GATHERING PLACE by Thomas Kinkade. This is the sequel of his first novel Cape Light. They are easy read, feel good novels that focus on the residents of a small fictional town called of course, Cape Light.

[Chefzhat]

I don't remember-it's been so long. Maybe I should give it another try. After that I didn't even buy Prodigal Summer because I was so bummed about Poisonwood Bible.

[SueK]

Originally posted by beckms
Middlesex Jeffrey Eugenides


I really liked this one. It was pretty long, but I got so absorbed in the story that I was finished before I knew it. Very interesting story!

[seannasad2k]

Originally posted by beckms

I really enjoyed Middlesex as well.


OOPS. This wasn't supposed to post!

[seannasad2k]

I really enjoyed Middlesex as well.

[beckms]

Originally posted by Chefzhat
I worked so hard to get interested in Poisonwood Bible and just couldn't do it. It's one of the few books that I've had to put down without finishing. Funny, because I love all her other books. Sigh . . .

How interesting! Poisonwood was the first book of hers that I read, and I couldn't put it down. After that, the other books I've read by her have been disappointments. Aren't personal tastes funny?:p

[NewMrsG]

How interesting! Poisonwood was the first book of hers that I read, and I couldn't put it down. After that, the other books I've read by her have been disappointments. Aren't personal tastes funny?

And *I* on the other hand, tried 4 times to read it and just couldn't do it! Personal tastes ARE funny.

Speaking of not being able to get into it, anyone else have a hard time with the Orchid Thief?

[MusicMom]

Originally posted by Jessica
Debie--I am not sure how far you got with Poisonwood Bible, but I had to read about a third of the book before the story grabbed me. A friend kept encouraging me to continue reading and by the middle of the book, I could not put it down. I liked all of her other novels, except Prodigal Summer.

It took me awhile to get into the Poisonwood Bible, too but I eventually got hooked. On the other hand, I absolutely loved The Prodigal Summer- especially the intertwining of the storylines. It's one of my favorite books.

- Vivian

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by Chefzhat
I worked so hard to get interested in Poisonwood Bible and just couldn't do it. It's one of the few books that I've had to put down without finishing. Funny, because I love all her other books. Sigh . . .

Maybe I should pull it back out too, cause I was like you and just couldn't get into it.

[Natasha3]

Jumping in quickly because I happened to see that Rebecca was asking about A Suitable Boy. It's huge, as you've no doubt noticed (you get an upper-body workout just holding up the book to read it! :p) but in some ways, I'd rank it among the best books I've ever read. It really struck a chord with me for many reasons, including my travels to India, and I loved how it meshed personal relationships (romantic, familial, etc.), politics, music, poetry, history, and so on, in one giant tome. Some of the sections of the book that dealt heavily with politics were less interesting to me than the rest, but overall it was really something. I hope you enjoy it! :cool:

Natasha

[ColleenT]

I just enjoyed two books. This first one was a short book titled "Suzannes Diary for Nicholas."

The second book was "They Cage the Animals at Night." My daughter asked me to read this since she read it with her 7th grade class. After they finished the book, the author, Jennings Burch, visited the school as a guest speaker. It was nice to read the book and have a discussion about it with my DD.

[d_ferrero]

Originally posted by Chefzhat
I worked so hard to get interested in Poisonwood Bible and just couldn't do it. It's one of the few books that I've had to put down without finishing. Funny, because I love all her other books. Sigh . . .

Funny, I felt exactly the same way.

Right now I'm reading Alice Sebold's Lucky. Provocative for sure... but not nearly as disturbing as I thought it would be. Wonder what that says about me :confused:. I mean, the subject matter is heavy, but I expected to have to put it down -- to have real difficulty reading it. I'm not finding that to be the case at all.

Next up is The Facts of Life by Lisa Wechel <sp>. I guess I'm in a memoirs rut right now...

[ErinM]

Originally posted by sherri

Now, I am reading A GATHERING PLACE by Thomas Kinkade. This is the sequel of his first novel Cape Light. They are easy read, feel good novels that focus on the residents of a small fictional town called of course, Cape Light.

It's out??? I enjoy those books too. I'll have to look for it in the library.

Also, count me in as another one that LOVED "The Poisonwood Bible". Haven't read any of her other books.

I'm currently reading a fictional book about "eco-terrorism" by Edward Abbey, called "Hayduke Lives!".

*A few hours later...* Okay, gave up on the "eco-terrorism" novel. Just got to be too boring. I'm now reading a psychological thriller called "Compulsion" by Keith Ablow. It's about a psychiatrist that gets involved in a murder investigation of a troubled teen murdering his baby sister. Interesting, so far.

[Little Bit]

Me again, checking in from my Ngaio Marsh adventures. I just finished Final Curtain and just started Spinsters in Jeopardy.

I am, however very tempted to take yet another detour from my mystery novel path so I can read the new version of Steven King's The Gunslinger. Apparently, he's updated/revised it so it reads a bit more easily as a novel. (Originally it came to life as short stories, and he thought a rewrite was justified to benefit/clarify the series. (The Dark Tower))

I do think The Dark Tower series are my favorite Steven King stories.

[newsomz]

Well. I just finished the (new) first book in the Chronicles of Narnia (The Magician's Nephew)- don't know if I had every read this one before but, I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to move onto The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. (it was always my favorite).

Also just finished The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint. Thanks to whoever recommended this. I really enjoyed it. It was a bit sad in parts but, overall a great book.

I've now moved onto How to Cook a Tart and A Heartbreaking work of Staggering Genius.

Carrie

ps-I look forward to expanding my reading horizons through this post.

[mcraig13]

I just finished Enemy Women. Someone on another thread said they didn't like it. It was not a page turner--but the story is interesting and the writing style is kind of like reading good poetry. I would recommend.

[beckms]

Originally posted by newsomz
Well. I just finished the (new) first book in the Chronicles of Narnia (The Magician's Nephew)- don't know if I had every read this one before but, I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to move onto The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. (it was always my favorite).

Also just finished The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint. Thanks to whoever recommended this. I really enjoyed it. It was a bit sad in parts but, overall a great book.

I've now moved onto How to Cook a Tart and A Heartbreaking work of Staggering Genius.

Carrie

ps-I look forward to expanding my reading horizons through this post.

Ah! Tart and Heartbreaking were two og my suggestions, I hope you like them as much as I did!

I'm confused, though, about your comment about The Magician's Nephew...I'm looking at my Narnia chronicles right now, and that's #6 in the series. Is there something I'm missing? I read them all in order two years ago, and I would think it would be confusing to read them out of order. In any case, they're great books, enjoy! :D

**editing to say that I just looked at the plot summaries on the backs of the Narnia books, and I can see how The Magician's Nephew could be read first. I wonder why they originally put it at #6? Guess I'll have tom reread them!!:p

[newsomz]

beckms
Ah! Tart and Heartbreaking were two og my suggestions, I hope you like them as much as I did! I'm just getting into these - started them yesterday. I'll let you know how I like them.

Yeah, it's weird about the Narnia books. Originally they were in a different order but, apparently sometime recently they put them in a new order (I don't know that much else about it). Anyway, this site has the new order (http://www.narnia.com/chronicles/books/index.htm) of the books. I'm curious to know what the old order was... I always thought The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was number 1.

Carrie

[maggie99]

Originally posted by newsomz

I've now moved onto How to Cook a Tart and A Heartbreaking work of Staggering Genius.

Carrie

ps-I look forward to expanding my reading horizons through this post. [/B]


Ooh! I loved AHWOSG! I'm trying to convince my husband to read it, but he'll only read computer manuals! :rolleyes:

I read Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman a few weeks ago and LOVED it! It's about a man leading supposedly perfect life, until a secret from his past is revealed (it's not as soap opera-ish as it sounds). Fortune's Daughter (also Hoffman) was also good, but not as compelling.

[sherri]

I also loved Blue Diary. I happened to pick it up at the library when I was waiting for some books on hold to come in. I was surprised how much I liked it. It was great!

[Kyra]

Guess I'm going to have to de-lurk because I love reading so much!

Just wanted to say to Stephania4 that I am glad there is another Adrian Mole fan out there! A British friend introduced me to these books a looooong time ago, but they still make me laugh every time I read them.

And I have to give another positive vote for the Alexander McCall Smith books...I have a friend who was in Botswana last year, and she says they do a wonderful job of describing the country and the people.

Oh, and a note on the "order" of the C.S. Lewis books. The Lion was written before Magician's Nephew, but Magician's Nephew comes first in terms of the chronology of the stories. Some of the more recent reprintings have just re-numbered them to reflect this, that's all. I have read that Mr. Lewis preferred that the series "begin" with Magician's Nephew, but don't know if that really true or not.

[Alaina76]

Originally posted by NewMrsG
I just finished Quentins (Maeve Binchy) over the weekend. Predictable, but a light and interesting read.

Started Emperor of Ocean Park and it's slow going ... anyone read it?

I just started Quentins and am having a hard time getting into it. I usually like Maeve Binchy, but have heard that this isn't as good as her others. I'll give it another try, light and interesting is exactly what I'm in the mood for. :)

I really enjoyed Fallen Angel.

[jjsooner73]

I picked up Nicholas SParks' The Guardian today at Sam's. It was a spontaneous purchase. :rolleyes:
ANyone read it?

I am really enjoying the book I mentioned earlier--The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch and plan on buying the sequel as soon as I get a good deal online or find the paperback.

[HRJ]

I have a big stack of books that I hope I can work my way through in the next few weeks -- don't think I'll get much reading done later this summer ;)

But, I wanted to say Thank you to all the people on the books threads who recommended The Eyre Affair, especially beckms, who recommended it in person -- I had started it a few months back and couldn't get into it. But because of all the positive feedback and Rebecca's enthusiasm, I gave it another try, and I must have been in a better frame of mind, because I ended up enjoying it so much! What a blast! I immediately ordered Lost in a Good Book, the next one in the Thursday Next series. What a lovely discovery.

I usually don't have two books going at once, but at the moment I'm reading both The Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

HP was definitely a result of this board -- after the lively thread about "why do/don't you read HP," I decided I had to see what al l the fuss was about. I'm enjoying it, but the thing is, there has been so much publicity associated with the books, that nothing in the first book is really new or surprising to me -- not the fault of the book, at all, but I have a feeling I would be finding it more charming and delightful if I were discovering the characters and setting on my own, so to speak.

Another recent suggestion from this board was Good in Bed, which I also enjoyed quite a lot -- a lot more than I expected to, to be honest. I had some problems with the story, but the writing was so sharp and clean and funny, it was a joy to get through. I'm hoping I can fit in In Her Shoes, Jennifer Weiner's next book, which I believe is coming out in paperback soon.

And, I stumbled across a hardcover copy of Poisonwood Bible for $5 at Buck-a-Book -- since I was kind of ambivalent about Prodigal Summer, I wasn't sure if I wanted to tackle Poisonwood, which I know is a great favorite of many folks here. But, I figured for $5, how could I go wrong? It remains to be seen whether I'll actually have time to get to it anytime soon, however.

Happy reading!

Helene

[beckms]

Wow, Helene, I don't know how on earth you can concentrate on reading, what with all the excitement in your life right now!!!!!:D :D :D But I suppose you'd better get some grown-up books in before you have to do daily readings of Goodnight Moon and Pat The Bunny...:p

I'm glad you liked the Eyre Affair. I think it's either a "love it of hate it" book, and I'm glad it was a good one for you! I just loved the way Fforde approached literature, as an adventure rather than something dull and removed. I read his second book, and am eagerly awaiting his third!

I finished the last Harry Potter last night. I'll save my commentary for the planned discussion. Now I have the daunting task of deciding what to read next...

Enjoy your books while you can! :)

[beckms]

Regarding the Alexander McCall books...do they have to be read in order? The only one I have is The Kalahari Typing School For Men. Should I go to the library and get No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency first?

[NancyR]

I just want to say thank you to everyone who contributes to this thread. I read it religiously. It is such a great way to learn about books you would not otherwise have been aware of. I'm sorry that I lurk more than contribute. Am I the only one who reads slooooooowly? I like to savor every nuance like eating a good meal...why gulp it down? Sadly however, I don't get nearly as much read as the rest of you. Right now I am finally getting to Lovely Bones and loving every minute of it. Thanks to all of you who recommended it.
Nancy

[Kyra]

Rebecca,

I have read all the Alexander McCall Smith books. No, you do not absolutely need to read them in order--nothing integral to the plot--but you might enjoy them (slightly) more if you do. These are such lovely books, and I do hope you enjoy them.

And I just wanted to tell Little Bit that I am a fellow mystery-book reader! I am impressed at your Ngaio Marsh stamina! I have to watch out for those exclamation points! (sorry) Anyway, some of my favorite writers are Dorothy L. Sayers, Martha Grimes, Katherine Hall Page, Jill Churchill, Diane Mott Davidson, Josephine Tey...too many to mention.

Oh, and Helene, I just got In Her Shoes from the library, and it is very, very good.

Happy reading!

kyra

[Jessica]

Nancy--I definitely go through phases where I read more slowly and others where I zip through books. It depends on my schedule as well as my mood.

Helene--I'd love to hear what you think about the Poisonwood Bible since I liked it quite a bit, but did not like Prodigal Summer.

[KristaMB]

I finally finished Pride and Prejudice last week. It took me forever to read that book. I liked it though, so I'm glad I plugged away at it.

I needed a quick, easy read so I'm about halfway through Night of Many Dreams by Gail Tsukiyama. I tend to like her stuff, and while this isn't the best book that she's written IMHO, I'm enjoying the story.

Next up is Dive from Clausen's Pier .

I had Prodigal Summer in the stack of books to read but may pass it up for some of Kingsolver's older stuff.

Thanks for all the great recommendations.

[gracey]

Looks like I am in the minority. I really liked Prodigal Summer but couldn't get into Poisonwood Bible. I still have it in my TBR pile, but somehow it never makes it back to the top of the list. Maybe those two are an either/or kind of pair.

[Beth H]

I have a big stack of books at home but haven't been doing much reading lately.

I am currently reading Jane Smiley's Good Faith , her newest book. I really enjoyed some of her other stuff but for some reason this one isn't grabbing me. It's not bad, but I'm not compelled by it.

I'm also reading Postively Fifth Street which is about the World Poker Championships at Binion's Horsehoe in Vegas (and also about the Binion murder). It's interesting, especially if you're interested in gambling/Vegas.

I finished (in one day) Jane Green's Babyville - a very light, superficial read but entertaining. Some of her commentary about child raising/pregnancy stuff is pretty funny. A good airplane/beach read.

[tbb113]

Originally posted by beckms
The God of Small Things Arundhati Roy
So much to read! I need 10 pairs of eyes!
:cool:

I tried desparately to read that book. When I realized I was on page 35 four weeks after I started it and never had picked it back up, I realized it was not for me :) I gave it to a co-worker and she LOVED it.

Tyra

[gertdog]

Originally posted by gracey
Looks like I am in the minority. I really liked Prodigal Summer but couldn't get into Poisonwood Bible. I still have it in my TBR pile, but somehow it never makes it back to the top of the list. Maybe those two are an either/or kind of pair.

I read both and I am with you. Loved Prodigal Summer, didn't enjoy Poisonwood Bible. I had a friend who was terribly disappointed that I didn't like the latter. How interesting that one author can provoke such different responses with two different books!

I've just returned from the library with my next two reads: The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lippman, and Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde. Yay!

[MusicMom]

Originally posted by maggie99
Ooh! I loved AHWOSG! I'm trying to convince my husband to read it, but he'll only read computer manuals! :rolleyes:

That's my DH!! Although he did read Holes a couple of years ago. That's probably the only fiction book he's read since high school.

Just finished Order of the Phoenix this afternoon. I found it to be much, much more emotional than the other books.

Now for Girl with the Pearl Earring.

[emily]

Hi, y'all. Well, I haven't been posting very much, and haven't been reading all that much either given the little free time I have from the kiddos. But I've read a few things this summer that I thoughts I'd comment on. Beck I read The God of Small Things based on a few recommendations here and while it was ok and a pretty quick read I don't really feel like I enjoyed it; however, it still stuck with me.

I've read a few of Kingsolver's works starting with Animal Dreams, then The Bean Trees and then Pigs in Heaven. I really liked the first two and while Pigs was more predicatble, I still enjoyed it.

I just finished Ignorance by Milan Kundera. I really enjoy his outlook on life and the way it comes across in his fiction. This novel focused primarily on the thoughts of emigrants and the retention of memories.

Currently I'm reading Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, author of Le Petit Prince. I'm only 20 pages in, but in general it's about his experiences as a pilot in the mid-1930s. I think it'll be interesting.

:)

Emily

[beckms]

Hey Em! Nice to see you around!

If you liked Milan Kundera, then you should read (if you haven't already) The Unbearable Lightness of Being. I loved it. It was one of those books for me that, while I was reading the majority of it, I wasn't so sure how I felt about it, but after I finished it, it left a lasting impression and I loved the experience of reading it. In fact, maybe I'll reread it this summer, because at the moment I an't even remember what it's about, just that I really loved it! Go figure. Nate accuses me of reading every other page because I read so fast. I think sometimes I don't retain details because of that.

Also, I don't know if you've been following the boards, but someone a few days ago requested a recipe for a 1999 (I think?) CL Tequila Lime Chicken recipe involving fettucine...sounds like a ringer for the recipe you made one night with Ryan Stallings when the boys were all living at The Oaks that summer...

:cool:

[TLee4]

Thanks to Bowie for recommending the Divine Economy of Salvation in last month's thread. I really liked it, even though it was disturbing in parts! I SHOULD now start East of Eden but I think I'll squeeze in The No. 1 Ladies Detectitve Agency first. Happy reading, everyone!

Terri