Book Lovers Club
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Sandra - I will check out the mystery you recommended, and the only bodice ripper I read is Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series because she is actually very funny - the bodice ripping really only occurs in the first two or three volumes, then like with most! married couples it calms down.
I have reserved LaValle's Big Machine based on the End of Your Life Book Club and I realized that I have a non-fiction book, Burmese Lessons by Karen Connelly, the author of the Lizard Cage sitting right in my book case.
Ruthbru- I am getting chills looking at the 2nd volume of the child craft books in the picture you posted. As a child, even before knowing how to read, loved the stories and pictures and still have the first few volumes.
VR, will look for the new Geoff Dyer!!!
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me I saw Where the sidewalk ends. I think it was one I almost had memorized. Well that and,
Too cold to go out
to wet to play ball.
So we sat in the house
We did nothing at all.
And all we could do
Was to sit there, just sit
And we did not like it
Not one little bit.
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Here's the poem I remember:
Could Have Been Worse by Bill Dobbs My friends have not seen London,
They've never been to France,
But yesterday at recess
They saw my underpants.
I kicked the ball, my skirt flew up
And I know what they saw.
The girls all stared and blushed and laughed,
The boys said, "Oo-la-la!"
I've thought a lot about it.
This conclusion I have drawn:
I'm embarrassed that they saw them,
But I'm glad I had them on.
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What memories you have! LOL. I'm diving into The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian. It's my book club pick for May and the meeting is Sunday afternoon. I'd better get page turning! The others in the club have already finished it and sent messages about how they couldn't put it down. Can't wait. Don't you just love the anticipation of a new book?
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Sandra- I just finished The Light in the Ruins and enjoyed it but I liked The Midwives, another C. Bohjalian book, a lot more.
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If you like history & biography, you might want to check out Doris Kearns Goodwin's new book The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism. Goodwin gives you the behind the scene scoop on the major players in the age of reform. It is long, but I really enjoyed it.
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just finished Wired Love: A Romance of Dots and Dashes (the old old story in a new new way) by Ella Cheever Thayer. It is about a romance which begins between two telegraph operators. There are mistaken identities, a matchmaker, misunderstandings etc etc. rather rolicking in its way. The best aspect of the book is that it was written in 1879! The writing feels contemporary yet more formal. There are references to the telephone and who knows what the future was going to bring! The anonymity of the telegraph leads to flirtation; the author weaves its jargon into the dialogue; the two young women, one of whom is an aspiring singer and the other the telegraph operator are both independent and ambitious. It was really a short/fascinating and fun read. It was put out by Dodo press - a part of Penguin which specializes in rare and out of print books
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Finished Line of Fire by Stephen White. The protagonist is a Boulder psychologist married to a DA and his best friend is a homicide detective. I've been reading White's books for a good long time & always look forward to the next one. He has announced that the series will come to an end with only one more - # 20. White is actually a clinical psychologist who lives in Colorado. If you haven't read him, you're in for a treat. The first book is Privileged Information written in 1991. You can read them as stand-alone, but it's much better to read in order.
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I decided to try another book recommended in The End of Your Life Book Club (as you may recall, I did not like Chesel Beach). I picked Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner, the book that started the Book Club. It is a simple story of two couples who are lifelong friends.....with all the triumphs and tragedies of ordinary lives and the ways that we, as imperfect people, relate to one another. It was written so beautifully that I could actually visualize the settings (and when had a dream where I was there), and it really made me think. A beautiful, moving book!
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Ruth, 'Crossing to Safety' is one of those novels I remember long after I finished it. a simple story, beautifully done. It led me to read Stegner's other works.
Jut finished a good novel, out recently , 'All the Light There Is to See.' Set in WW II, parallel stories of a blind French girl and a German boy in Hitler's army. I finished it, then picked up a copy of Oprah's magazine, month old maybe, and saw a full-page review of it.
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I've been a lurker here so far, but I need to thank you all for your recommendations. Because of you I've discovered Louise Penny and Julia Spencer-Fleming and I'm going to try Stephen White. Some of you may not know about this site Fantastic Fiction I've found it very helpful.
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Hello ladies,
I love reading! I'm often lurking on this thread late at night because that is my favorite time to read. And my Kindle goes everywhere. My Sony Reader used to go with me but I love having a back light.
I re-read "Crazy Little Thing" by Tracy Brogan, a good read and it keeps your attention. "Dust" "Shift" and "Wool" is a science fiction trilogy that I really enjoyed! It's an earth based, futuristic story so enjoy.
Wasn't the "Husband's Secret" a great read? Loved it. Be sure you read "The Book Thief" and "The Orphan Train"
Okay, enough...you don't even know me and here I am spouting books I love. But, one more. I'm currently reading the book some of you are having a hard time with and that's "Little Girl Lost" So far, so good.
Great thread and I promise to be good and not list so much next time!
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Welcome Former Lurkers,
The more, the merrier. Glad you are here. It's the best place I've ever found for book recommendations.
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I agree - welcome everyone. We love to see all the recommendations - no holds barred. If one recommendation isn't your cup of tea, the next one probably will be.
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MaryFox - I frequently refer to fantasticfiction esp to check if a book is in a series and whether there are other books I should read first. Also, if I haven't read an author in a while, I review and make sure I am not rereading by mistake or skipping!! sometimes find other authors who works are similar to the ones I like via the site.
Mema4 - I don't think there are many of us science fiction fans here!! I had heard of Wool, but based on your recommendation, I might now check it out. I report on the books I have read and want to recommend here = and it serves as a reminder to myself as well. This thread was started with a list. so it is not inappropriate.
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I just finished The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd and would highly recommend it. The Author's Notes were especially interesting.
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I like a bit of science fiction once in a while but not monsters and space travel. Oh, and no zombies. Loved all the Harry Potter books. I can rarely find a good dystopian fiction...stories in the future, often having to do with humanity successfully adjusting to some catastrophe. (Sort of like Hunger Games but not Twilight.) I discard many books of this genre after only a few pages if they are too "out there." I find one or two good ones a year, I guess. For pure escapism fiction I love JD Robb's "in death" series of books because they are mysteries that take place in the near future - 2060. I've read all of them...30 or so...in the past few years.
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I am a scifi and fantasy person. From Asimov to Weber and a lot in between!
I own all the JDROBB IN Death series, David Weber- Honor Harrington series.
Charlene Harris-True Blood.
Started reading Scifi in 7th grade. In um, 1967.... first was I, ROBOT and When World's Collide. And of course, The Hobbit and LOTR.
I also love Romance especially Historical. Mary Stewart, Georgettte Heyer, My favorite book of the Genre and very hard to find, Grace Ingrahm- Red Adams Lady. Last time I checked the hard copies ran around 125$ for a Library copy. The paperback version was 40$ and falling apart. I have a copy in paperback but it is falling apart too. So if you all check your home libraries and find it, let's talk! LOL.
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Just finished a good book, a little "wifey" revenge with twists and turns! "Sleep Tight" by Rachael Abbott
Moonflwr, you would probably like the Hugh Howey books. I was pleasantly surprised!
I love fiction in Ireland so any suggestions?
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VR - I think you might enjoy reading this review of Geoff Dyer if you haven't seen it already:
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Jelson - I really enjoyed reading the review. I'll look forward to VR's comments since she is the expert on 'all things Dyer'.
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Minus....since you asked.....First off, thanks Jel for the link....These last few weeks I had to suffer reading reviews of Dyer's new book, without being able to enjoy reading it. I have it now and am almost finished reading it....so since Minus asked, I'll begin...With respect to the Slate review....Shame on the reviewer! Anyone and everyone who loves Geoff Dyer know he is not the only writer with that name! Whenever I recommend that someone read Geoff Dyer, I tell them to be careful because there are TWO Geoff Dyers! MY Geoff Dyer has occasionally referred to the lesser known Geoff Dyer who is becoming more well known.... so I guess the two Geoffs are going to have to duke it out!
Soooo.....the library notice arrived in my email that my long awaited Geoff Dyer book was waiting for me for pick up. Then a second notice arrived that ANOTHER Geoff Dyer book arrived, and then ANOTHER. So there I was with ALL THREE GEOFF DYER BOOKS TO READ. And then, I had a Geoff Dyer moment, like out of Out of Sheer Rage. I had all three books and not a clue which one to begin reading. It was kind of like the moment when you get that ice cream cone in your hand and are not sure to lick it slowly or just dive in! There were all kinds of Dyeresque moments as to which order I would read them in. So....I decided the aircraft carrier book would have to wait because I wanted to begin at the beginning with his first novel, The Search. Well, all I could say is that I couldn't come up for air, or food, or company or the DH's companionship, which he was getting a little worried about. Not because he wanted my company....Oh No! He wanted to read the damn book too! So, began our argument. I told him to start with his newest book about the aircraft carrier...but NOOOOOO.... the engineer in him said he had to start at the beginning! So, I will begin with HIS review and not mine because we all know how much I adore MY Dyer's writing. He couldn't put the book down! And as he was reading it, he started asking me the same questions that my mom asked when she dived into her first Dyer book, Out of Sheer Rage....he wanted to know what Dyer was talking about!???? Now, you don't have to tell my mother and me what Dyer writes about because WE KNOW, he writes about NOTHING. Like Seinfeld. Nothing. All of his books are about nothing. And if MY Dyer wanted to really write about SOMETHING, then he would be the OTHER Geoff Dyer! But the beauty of reading MY Geoff Dyer is that after you finished reading whatever it is he is writing about, you know you have read something amazing and WONDERFUL.
If Dyer wanted to REALLY write about being on an aircraft carrier and EXPLAIN international history, then he would be the OTHER Dyer. But THIS Dyer writes about HIS EXPERIENCE on an aircraft carrier in such brilliant and hilarious detail, that once you are finished reading the book, you don't CARE about international history. And if you are interested in international history and WHY we have an aircraft carrier where ever it is that it is, then I recommend that you read The Twilight War. And, quite frankly, reading the Twilight War at times IS hilarious too, until you realize some of what is written might sound like fiction and then understand what is actually going on is REAL and THAT isn't funny!
I'm saving The Colour of Memory for the weekend. I want to let these books simmer on my brain for a few days. I have to switch gears because tomorrow night I'm going to a Barnes and Noble and meeting John Waters. Another character! Equally as brilliant as Geoff Dyer. So, I have to read Water's new book Car Sick before tomorrow night!
Oh....so much pressure......
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Between the hilarious comments Dyer describes life on the ship..."...there is never a dull moment. But this translates into: there is never a moment's peace, no guarantee of a good night's sleep. There is never a dull moment, and yet life is an endless succession of dull moments (the idea is to make even the most unexpected emergency a matter of routine), especially for those sweeping the decks, or cleaning, wiping, washing, shining. Day after day, for seven months."
The book's humor sweeps from crescendo to crescendo and then punctuates with these gentle, meaningful observations....Throughout the book as he moves through the ship he weaves his emotion of awe and respect for the men and women on the vessel.
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OH VR!!! I love your mind!!!
John Waters! I secretly recorded the audio to Pink Flamingos in the mid 70's while watching the movie for the I don't what time, and virtually memorized the dialogue. Edie, when is the egg man coming???? The egg man! and Divine. I have her biography somewhere....... have not read his books, will do so now. Geoff Dyer, John Waters - life is good~!!
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oh Jel! How I remember going to see Pink Flamingos for the very first time! Have you seen the DVD This Movie Has Not Yet Been Rated? If you haven't... I soooo highly recommend watching it. John Waters is in it. Don't miss his interview in the Special Features section. The thing that I most admire about John Waters is that he has never sold out his artistic self. He is a profile in courage. He is that lucky artist who has created a wealth of art that touches outliers and the mainstream alike and became rich without compromise! Amazing!
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okay...I read the first 120 pages of John Water's book Carsick before meeting him. Having visited the Neue Gallerie the week before to see the exhibit Degenerate Art, I kept looking forward to meeting Waters to tell him how much I admired him and thought he was a profile in courage. I also wanted to tell him how much I loved living in this country where he could thrive, be admired and be so successful. And I did! And everyone applauded. Having visited the exhibit on the Degenerate Art and seeing what the Nazis considered filthy, I became emotional. Many of those artists who created masterpieces went into exile, committed suicide or had their works destroyed. The gallery had empty frames and empty spaces where art should have existed. And juxtaposing those images in my mind of the void that was created by the Nazis with the filthy creativity of John Water, it makes me feel so proud to be an American. Of course the audience was 250 strong...SRO! Amen!
So how is the book you ask? Filthy hilarious! I asked him to autograph a copy for my mom who will be 89 next week. He was such a champ! He said, "Your 89 year old mom still reads?" He said his mother couldn't when she got to that age. And then he looked at me again and said," She's going to read THIS?" ... As in...I'm going to share this filthy book with my 89 year old mother??? Heck yah!!!! I wanted to tell him she also loved the movie Bad Grandpa too but I didn't want to leave him with the impression that I came from a long line of filthy people!
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I am so very happy that John Waters did not disappoint. And to have shocked him!! I bet that doesn't happen very often. good job VR!
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Read Susan Wittig Albert's new China Bayle's series book Death Come Quickly. Her tales of the owner of an herb shop solving murders never disappoint. It's always surprising to realize Albert used to be a high power VP at Univ of CA Berkley and traded it in for a lower key life - gardening & writing.
Just finished the 2012 book The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan. Set in 1914, an ocean liner returning from Europe on the threshold of the war sinks. The interactions of those in Lifeboat 14 are fascinating. Publisher's Weekly wrote: "..circles around society's ideas about what it means to be human, what responsibilities we have to each other, and whether we can be blamed for choices made in order to survive". I'm ready to start it again to re-consider the issues I missed just following the story. She also has a list of her favorite books in the back. Totally different from the "End of Your Life" list, but formidable. She says: "books that astonished me, books that inspired me, and books that taught me how to write." She notes what she likes about each one. Even as an English major there are a fair number I haven't read & some I haven't even heard of.
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oh. Minus Thanks for letting us know about Albert newest. As soon as I get my Sony/Kobo mess straightened out I'll buy it.
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