October 2006 Book Thread

[KLynn]

What's everybody reading these days?

I posted at the end of the Sept. thread that I finally finished Wicked after quite a while. I am still not sure if I really liked, but I do feel a sense of accomplishment having finished it.

Now I am thoroughly enjoying The Thirteeth Tale - it is a book for book lovers, if there ever was one. The main character is in love with reading, among other interesting things about her life. That's all I will say to avoid spoilers! It is really great so far.

[Terrytx]

I'm reading Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs. I like her better than Patricia Cornwell.

[Laura]

I finally finished The Poisonwood Bible, which I can say did absolutely nothing for me. I am reading The Devil Wears Prada when I work out and am just starting The Known World, by Edward P. Jones; the book details the life of slaves whose owners were themselves black. I know nothing about the book other then that little blurb, but am reading it as part of a book club.

[Sookie]

I'm reading Nickel and Dimed (On NOT Getting By in America) by Barbara Ehrenreich. Ms. Ehrenreich moves around the country (Florida, Minneapolis, Maine) working at low-paying jobs (usually two of them at once) to show that it's nearly impossible to make it in America on a Wal-Mart (ie) salary. It's an interesting eye-opener of a book - the biggest eye-opener being when 50-something Ms. Ehrenreich herself had to spend a week-end detoxing because of a drug test she knew she could fail.

[Minky]

I have just finished Shiver by Lisa Jackson; Good Grief by Lolly Winston; and Dead Even by Brad Meltzer. I am currently immersed in My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, which I am moving through quickly (a sure sign of a good read for me :) )


Sheila

[Natasha]

I've had a steady stream of books come my way recently through library holds (it seems to be that as soon as I'm about to finish a book, they call me to say my next hold has arrived - just luck!), and from friends.

Recently I read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards, which several people mentioned last month (though I hadn't even noticed that until I reread the thread now - a friend lent it to me and the name didn't ring a bell at all! :o ). I have to say that while it started out promisingly, on the whole I didn't much enjoy My Sister's Keeper :o :( - but that's just me, of course.

I also recently read Night Watch by Sarah Waters. Michelle (kcmo727)'s review last month piqued my interest. Thanks Michelle - that was a good read!

Now I'm reading Picoult's The Tenth Circle.

Natasha

[LakeMartinGal]

I've just discovered J A Jance, and have read Long Time Gone, and ordered three other books by her from paperbackswap.com... I'm reading Final Target, by Iris Johansen right now.

[tbb113]

I'm almost done with The lemon tree : an Arab, a Jew, and the heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan and am finding it to be a very intersting history of the times. I believe he is an unbiased reporter (since he gives his sources of all his notes, plus his qualifications make him fairly unbaised). It is definetly giving me facts that I never knew or thought about and is giving me much to think about (and not all that pleasantly).

[elizabeth30]

I am reading East of Eden by Steinbeck and Midwives by Chris Bohjalian. I am enjoying both so far.

[LakeMartinGal]

I just started a book called "Entering Normal," which is part of a condensed book series. It seems pretty good, so far. It's about a single mom who excaped her boyfriend, and lives next door to a couple who lost a son 5 years ago... I think this will be a tear-jerker.

[cniles]

I just started Flag of Our Fathers by James Bradley -it is also a new Clint Eastwood movie coming out soon. It's about the story of flag raising at Iwo Jima and the lives of the 6 soldiers. Looks really interesting especially as it is written by a son of one of the soldiers.

[erin elizabeth]

Just finished two memoirs that started out gangbusters and then kind of petered out in the end. I would recommend them both, though, because they are mostly good and v. interesting.

The first was Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor. She details how she became an Episcopal priest and then, after about a dozen years, found that she needed to leave parish ministry to maintain her faith. It doesn't go in the directions you would expect, but the end moves away from her experience and becomes more philosophical and wasn't quite as good.

The second was Heat by Bill Buford. He spent a year in the kitchen of Mario Batali's Babbo in NYC. He was an editor at The New Yorker and quit to be a kitchen slave--his term. He leaves Babbo at the end of the book to travel to Italy and learn from the sources--that part isn't so great, but still has some good mini essays.

[essie]

I just finished reading These is my words, and Sarah's Quilt both by Nancy E. Turner. Very good novels based on the diaries of Sarah Agnes Prine from 1881 to 1906. They are very readable, and make me happy to live in my time. Read These is my Words first. I did it the other way around, but still very enjoyable.

[tbb113]

I finished The Lemon Tree and while I found it extremely thought provoking...it wasn't quite as even handed as I thought it would be from the beginning. He definetly describes the Palestainian point of view and the negative Israeli actions, but he glosses over the Palestainian attacks against Israel. The book definetly makes you think though.

I then read The Wonder Spot by Melissa Banks. Cute, light read.

I'm now in the middle of Better Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende. Its about a couple that goes and lives with an Amish type village and their 18 months there. Here is the blurb from Amazon

About a decade ago, Brende was pursuing a graduate degree at MIT by studying technology's influence on society, and he reached conclusions that disturbed both him and his faculty mentors. A chance encounter with a "black-hatted man" prompted Brende and his new wife to move to a religious, "Mennonite-type" community that in many respects makes the Amish seem worldly, where he hoped to pare his environment down to "a baseline of minimal machinery" that could sustain human comfort while allowing him to stay off the power grid. (Details about the community, which Brende dubs the "Minimites" in recognition of their austerity, are left intentionally vague so as to preserve their privacy.) The pervasive back-to-basics sentiment will surprise few familiar with others who work this vein, like Bill McKibben and Kirkpatrick Sale, but Brende's nostalgia for a simpler way of life is far from rabid. His rough prose honestly addresses how neighbors in his new community could graciously offer help yet warily view Brende as an intruder; Brende himself was particularly sensitive to perceived slights, and the radical lifestyle shift created a unique set of strains on his new marriage. Though the ending feels a bit rushed, his gentle case for simple living will easily resonate with the converted and may inspire skeptics to grapple more intimately with the issue.

[beckms]

I am reading A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. It's kind of slow going, but it's such a classic that I will definitely finish it. It's not that it's boring, it's just not gripping like a mystery or something...but there's something kind of delicious about reading it.

I was just browing through Barnes and Noble the other day, and I came across an interesting looking book: House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski. Has anyone read this?

[elizabeth30]

I am reading A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. It's kind of slow going, but it's such a classic that I will definitely finish it. It's not that it's boring, it's just not gripping like a mystery or something...but there's something kind of delicious about reading it.

I was just browing through Barnes and Noble the other day, and I came across an interesting looking book: House of Leaves by Mark Danielewski. Has anyone read this?

I haven't read it but I have had friends who have and they said that it was really creepy and really scary.

[nanco]

Just finished Memory Keeper's Daughter and now on to is Keeping Faith by Jodi Pocoult. I love Jodi's Books. The one I did not finsh was Pope Joan. Could not get in to it.

[kcmo727]

I also recently read Night Watch by Sarah Waters. Michelle (kcmo727)'s review last month piqued my interest. Thanks Michelle - that was a good read!

Natasha

Natasha,

I am so glad you read The Night Watch and enjoyed it. To me it was one of those books that really lives on in your mind long after the book is finished. Because of the backwards chronological order, did you go back and read the ending of the first section since that is *technically* the end of the book? I sure did! I was happy that at least some of the characters received a (seemingly) happy ending. I look forward to reading more of her books.

I had a garage sale last weekend so I had some extra cash and treated myself to a few new books at Costco -- can't beat those prices! I bought the The Historian, the new Janet Fitch, also The Other Boleyn Girl, which I know has been popular on these threads. I just read on IMDB that it is being made into a movie with Keira Knightley and Eric Bana. He is way too good looking to play Henry VIII! :)

[ellery]

and am just starting The Known World, by Edward P. Jones; the book details the life of slaves whose owners were themselves black. I know nothing about the book other then that little blurb, but am reading it as part of a book club.

I'll be curious to hear what you think of this. I believe this is one that I tried to read a few months ago and couldn't make it through. I had a very hard time getting into it and it never quite hooked me.

Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for everyone who always contributes to these threads. I find them invaluable when I'm making up my "library list". ;)

[daisylover]

I just finished The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood. Right now I'm reading C'est la Vie by Suzy Gershman, which is about the author's experience as an American living in France after her husband dies. It's thoroughly enjoyable, especially if you've ever wondered what it would be like to move to another country and "start over." It makes you think about all the little things that we take for granted being able to do, such as changing a lightbulb, that would be something we'd need to learn to do in another country.

[barbara-cook]

I'm currently reading "The Alternate" a crime/courtroom novel by John Martel - a "lite" read about an alternate on a jury trying to influence the minds of the "regular" jurors, and also behind the scenes about the major characters on the defense and prosecution sides of the story.

I just finished reading "The Constant Gardener" by John LeCarre (after reading a post here). It was intriging, but a little annoying (I did not like the ending at all). But it made me think about the huge pharmaceutical companies and what they may or may not be doing to help the world, especially the third world countries.

I went to a Friends of the Library sale last month and picked up about 16 books for $7.50, so I'm working my way through the bag. It'll probably last me 2-3 more months!

Question: Does anyone on the board (reading this thread) participate in "Operation Paperback"? This is a donating program for the folks in the military. I've read about it and got some information - just wondering if anyone is actually participating. It seems like a great way to pass along all the paperbacks we accumulate - although there are a lot of restrictions when sending books to the Middle East.....

[AKA Lisa]

I recently read The Thirteenth Tale too, and absolutely loved it! I've been recommending it to everyone I know.

I like to read mysteries and fiction. Elizabeth George has a new book coming out but it's a departure from her usual characters and I'm a bit upset about that! lol

[Jazzmatazz49]

I'm about third of the way through Jodi Picoult's The Pact . I'm a new reader of Picoult and she is quite different from most authors I've read. After reading My Sister's Keeper recently, I figure the ending of this one is going to be quite a surprise as well.

[beckms]

OK, all you Picoult fans, I finally picked up a copy of Keeping Faith at the library, and after about 25 pages I'm ready to smack the whiny, woe-is-me protaganist...please tell me it gets better and that I will be rewarded for listening to her drivel...

[CGoucher1025]

I'm currently reading A Woman Of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford. It's actually quite a good book.

Also, I'll read any J.D. Robb, or Shakespeare I can get my hands on.

[KLynn]

I recently read The Thirteenth Tale too, and absolutely loved it! I've been recommending it to everyone I know.
l

Just finished it this afternoon. For me, the sign of a good book is when I get up early to read before the rest of the house wakes up. Let me tell you, I have been up reading before 6am for the past two days. This book just riveted me. Loved it.

Next up is Brad Meltzer's new one, The Book of Fate.

[tbb113]

I just finished GirlBomb a memior by Janice Erlbaum about her teenage years. While I enjoyed the book, I find it very difficult to believe it was true. :o Maybe I'm naive...but I just don't believe that the events in her life really happened as she portrayed them. The amount of drugs, drinking, being underage, parental uninvolvement (for all the kids), etc just stretched my ability to believe. Maybe I'm just not meant to read memiors ;)

[cumulus]

wow! lots of piccoult fans! went to a book signing of hers a few months ago- she is the most charming, thought provoking, well rounded woman i've met. totally real, and speaks highly of her family.

my favorite of hers is the pact. a few others have been touch and go, but i think my sisters keeper was well written despite the ending.

just finished:

- the inner circle by t.c. boyle (love him!)
- isaac's storm by erik larson (awesome for a weather nerd)
- dress your family in corduroy and denim by david sedaris (who i also love)

current reads:

- white teeth by zadie smith (lots of names so far)
- tender is the night by f. scott fitzgerald (love him, book ok so far)
- midnight's children by salman rushdie (wow)

[memartha]

I recently finished The Memory Keeper's Daughter, which I found to be pretty much of a downer.

Then I read The Giver, by Lois Lowry, which is young-adult fiction. It was quite interesting; a quick read.

Before those two, I read Above the Thunder by Renee Manfredi, which I enjoyed.

[CGoucher1025]

Has anyone read Memoirs Of A Geisha? Is it worth getting to read, or should I just watch the movie?

[tbb113]

Has anyone read Memoirs Of A Geisha? Is it worth getting to read, or should I just watch the movie?

I read it when it first came out and enjoyed it. Haven't seen the movie so I can't compare them for you

[LttlMichey]

Originally Posted by CGoucher1025
Has anyone read Memoirs Of A Geisha? Is it worth getting to read, or should I just watch the movie?

Definitely read the book instead of watching the movie. There's so much more detail in the book - I found the movie to be rather disappointing, plus they changed some things around.

I'm currently reading The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. I like the characters but feel the plot has sort of a "been there, done that" feel. As in a middle-aged narrator getting the mid-life itch, returning home to deal with past family issues, etc.

Also, at the complete other end of the spectrum I'm reading World War Z by Maz Brooks. It's described as an oral history of the Zombie War. Such a weird description I know, but so far I love it! The way he writes, you almost can believe there was a zombie war. ;)

Lastly, if anyone is looking for an excellent book to read that isn't about zombies, I recommend Any Bitter Thing by Monica Wood. It's another book dealing with family and secrets, but it's a lot better than other books in that genre. All of the characters are appealing in their own ways, despite their many flaws. I can't praise it enough.

[KLynn]

Has anyone read Memoirs Of A Geisha? Is it worth getting to read, or should I just watch the movie?

One of my ALL TIME favorite books. It was one of those books I lived and breathed the whole time I was reading it. I was sad for it to end. I enjoyed the movie as well, but of course the book was far better. Read the book first, then rent the movie. The DVD has terrific extras, behind-the-scenes stuff, etc. I actually enjoyed all of that more than the movie itself!

[alicerh]

Lastly, if anyone is looking for an excellent book to read that isn't about zombies, I recommend Any Bitter Thing by Monica Wood. It's another book dealing with family and secrets, but it's a lot better than other books in that genre. All of the characters are appealing in their own ways, despite their many flaws. I can't praise it enough.

I agree. I thought this was wonderful. Another good one I just finished is The Falls by Joyce Carol Oates. Not weird like so many of hers. I thought this was a really good book.

[gracey]

OK, all you Picoult fans, I finally picked up a copy of Keeping Faith at the library, and after about 25 pages I'm ready to smack the whiny, woe-is-me protaganist...please tell me it gets better and that I will be rewarded for listening to her drivel...

Let me start out by saying I adore Jodi Picoult's books; however, I didn't care for Keeping Faith. Around midway through, I was feeling like it was medicine that I felt obligated to take. Promptly flipped to the last chapter and happily moved on with my life.

[NancyR]

OK, all you Picoult fans, I finally picked up a copy of Keeping Faith at the library, and after about 25 pages I'm ready to smack the whiny, woe-is-me protaganist...please tell me it gets better and that I will be rewarded for listening to her drivel...
Okay, I have to start by saying that I hate to criticize anyone because I absolutely admit I could not do better myself. With that said, although I admire Jodi Picoult's writing skill, I have to say that her protagonist is always a whiny woe-is-me type, at least in the ones I have read. I think Picoult is a good writer but she just goes a little too "out there" to suit me.

[beckms]

<hanging head in shame>

So after I posted my rant about Picoult, I promptly read about 250 pages in one sitting. While I still find the portagonist annoying, the book is very readable and keeps my attention without making me work too hard. I'll keep her in hand as one of those authors to turn to when my brain needs a break and a good story to focus on. :cool:

[NancyR]

While I still find the portagonist annoying, the book is very readable and keeps my attention without making me work too hard. :

............exactly what I was trying to say.

[SDMomChef]

I'm in the minority - I read the Thirteenth Tale and I thought that it was only O.K.

I'm currently reading The Prison Angel about a twice divorced woman with seven children who became a nun and lived in the La Mesa prison in Mexico and the incredible amount of kindness that she brought to the prisoners and their families.

[saserre]

Has anyone read Memoirs Of A Geisha? Is it worth getting to read, or should I just watch the movie?

I read the book and watched the movie. I liked them both. The book goes into more details about the less glamourous side of things, but that's more realistic.

Also, if you like Memoirs the book, I'd suggest Geisha: A Life by Mineko Iwasaki. She was a real Geisha and her book is biographical. I actually liked her book better than Memoirs. She was the one that the Memoirs author got a lot of material from.

[joybuzz99]

Read WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen~good read about a circus during the depression and aging..interesting read. Thought Gruen did excellent research on this one both with the circus history and life in an old age home. I felt that she nailed the emotions of the elderly gentlemen in the home. Made me think of my Dad and often made me have tears in my eyes. This book was suggested by another friend who was reading it in her book group. Purchased at Cosco in hard cover.

Presently I am reading THE WIDOW OF THE SOUTH by Robert Hicks and it is an interesting Civil War read based on a true story. Just visited Gettysburg so this book sparked my interest in the Civil War (purchased at Cosco in paper). Only half way thru so I will come back and update when I am finished.

[tbb113]

I just finished a very silly piece of fluff Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta.

From Booklist
Hip, smart Milagro de Los Santos is minding her own business at a book party for Sebastian, the ex-boyfriend she's not quite over, when Oswald, a mysterious, handsome stranger approaches her. The chemistry between them is potent, but after they accidentally exchange blood during a powerful kiss, Milagro finds herself feeling strange. Suddenly Sebastian becomes interested in her again, though when he tries to abduct her it's clear he's more interested in her encounter with Oswald than in rekindling their romance. She's rescued by Oswald's cousin, Gabriel, who spirits her off to the family home, where Oswald, his prickly grandmother, Edna, and his other cousin, Sam, take her in for her protection. Although they are vampires, they insist on referring to their state as a "condition," and now they're worried Milagro might also be infected. Sebastian is part of a sinister group determined to investigate the vampires, and Milagro is realizing that her passion for the seductive Oswald is conquering her feelings for Sebastian. A fun, snappy read for romantic fantasy fans.

[SDMomChef]

I finished The Prison Angel, a true story of a twice divorced woman who moved to La Mesa prison in Mexico and became a nun. Very powerful story about how one person can affect so many people.

Then I started reading the Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan. I always enjoy Amy Tan's books and her details on China. This was probably not my favorte book by her, but it was still a good read - stayed up until 12:30 last night to finish it.

This morning I started reading Heaven's Lake by John Dalton. A description from Amazon.com:

Dalton's debut novel is an evocative, beautiful exploration of modern-day China, seen through the eyes of a young Christian volunteer named Vincent, who travels to Toulio, a small town in Taiwan, to teach English and Bible-study classes. He acquires a ministry house and begins teaching and also takes on a high-school class of 42 bright teenage girls. Vincent encounters many colorful characters, including Alec, a roguish Scotsman, and Mr. Gwa, an elegant businessman who wants Vincent to travel to the mainland and marry the woman he loves and bring her back to him. Vincent refuses but soon finds himself in a compromising position with one of the girls in his high-school class, who boldly flirts with him and then seduces him. When her older brother learns of the affair, Vincent is forced to flee Toulio and rashly accepts Gwa's offer to go claim Kai-ling, the woman Gwa loves. But as Vincent travels across China, he learns more about the country and, ultimately, himself than he expected.

[NancyR]

My friend just gave me The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen and I can't put it down! Although she has written several other books she is a new author to me and I look forward to reading some of her other books. It is kind of a cross between Agatha Christie and CSI with a little Kay Scarpetta thrown into the mix.

[ErinM]

I just started Flag of Our Fathers by James Bradley -it is also a new Clint Eastwood movie coming out soon. It's about the story of flag raising at Iwo Jima and the lives of the 6 soldiers. Looks really interesting especially as it is written by a son of one of the soldiers.

I thought that book was very well written. And not just because my mom grew up in Antigo and knew John Bradley! In fact, both of my grandparents were buried by his funeral home. Mom said he was a very unassuming guy who never talked about it. One of his sons was in her class and he would get asked about it in history classes at school, but not even he could tell them anything because he didn't know any details.

One thing that sticks out in my mind that my mom told me about John was that he completely respected my grandfather, and believed him to be on of the most noble people he'd ever met. Man, sometimes I miss my Grandpa, and he's been gone 12 years!

Oh! As for my reading, I'm currently working on a book called "Magic, Murder, and Medicine" which talks about various plants and how they are used for the above purposes, with a bit of a focus on how they interact in the body. Interesting stuff!

[Sookie]

I just got back from Florida and I finished up on some reading while there. I took some easy reading for the plane. Mr. Monk Goes to Hawaii and The Devil Wear Prada. I can't get into anything but very light reading on the plane, because I am a nervous passenger. They were perfect for the to and from trips.

While in Florida I read The Secret Life of Bees, which I loved. I did not want to have that book end and would love to know what happened to Lily when she got older. I also read First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung. This was a great book about Cambodia and the Pol Pot Regime where nearly one-third of their own people died. A fascinating book.

[foodfiend]

Currently reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter. I really enjoyed the first part of the book -- the writing is lovely -- but then the book was too bleak. I felt like I needed a breather from the reflection and depression. I skimmed the last half of the book just to find out what happened to the characters.

[colleency]

I just finished Showboat, by Edna Ferber, published in 1926. It was an interesting picture of life in the 1870s and 80s on a boat that traveled up and down the Mississippi (an other rivers) putting on the kind of broad comedies and tragedies that you might associate with the old west (same time period). It also covered the life of a professional gambler in Chicago in the 1880s and 90s.

It was a very interesting read, especially trying to picture what they might be wearing. Now I'll have to see the play or one of the movies.