Book Lovers Club
Comments
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Marybe...You and the DH would become fast friends! His friend alerted him to Game of Thrones months before the series debuted. I got the THICK book with TINY print out of the library and he devoured it!
Yesterday he finished reading Lee Child's new book, The Affair. Also devoured it, despite a raging headache. Now the book will be devoured by my neighbor before being returned to the library. The DH said that he liked the book A LOT. However, he thought the neighbor might not like it as much as more recent books of Child's that had more violence in them... Hmmmm.....
On a lighter note, the DH will have a hard time deciding which of the following two books he will read next:
http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Barracuda-Novel-Tim-Dorsey/dp/0061876895
http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Off-Novel-Violence-Crime/dp/0857682873
Anyone else a fan of Lawrence Block and Tim Dorsey? How about Carl Hiaasen? Da Best!
Getting back to hoarding, I HAD to read Jessie Sholl's book about her experience of being a child of a hoarder because I have a hoarder living a few houses away from my home. I wrote to Jessie to tell her how brave I thought she was to write about her experience. Her book is one of the few, if not the ONLY book, written by a child of a hoarder. Our hoarder's daughters, well educated attorneys, moved away years ago and WILL NOT return to their mother's home, ever again. Two years ago, I was able to locate one of the daughters and she told me that their mother was welcome to visit them but they would never set foot in the home again. I tried very hard to explain to the daughter that the conditions she was living in was unsafe for her and her neighbors. I also told her that the building inspector wanted to speak to her. She spoke to him and told him the same thing she had told me. The situation is so bad that she has now been arrested for ignoring the courts. Not only is the inside of her home impacted with debris, but the outside of her home is collapsing. She also co-exists with squirrels and birds in her home. Heartbreaking. Meanwhile, if you met her on the street, she is dressed beautifully. Unbelievable. Anyway, having read the book, I can now fully appreciate how my neighbor's daughters feel. Very enlightening book.
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VR - I'm a fan of Lawrence Block's bookselling burgler Bernie Rhodenbarr, the gentleman thief and reluctant sleuth.
Carl Hiaasen is a familiar name to me because he wrote the intro to the re-issued Travis McGee paperback novels. I may have to look into something he wrote that's more than 5 pages long!
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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/15/60minutes/main688458.shtml
Badger...some background on Carl Hiaasen.
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Thanks VR, he looks like an interesting character, an excellent choice to write about Trav.
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I love Carl Hiaasen....his books make me laugh out loud. I even read the one he wrote which was actually for children, I think...Hoot.
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I did get The Giver on the nook from the library. My DD (14 yo) finished it first. I just finished it. It was very short (130 pages) and very easy and quick to read. Interesting premise. But I don't think it developed the characters enough. To me, it was more an interesting piece of science fiction, could easily be an episode on the Twilight Zone. In fact, I'm pretty sure there were some that were kind of similar. I'd recommend it if you're looking for something quick and easy to read. I think the book is probably really meant for middle schoolers.
I have read a lot of the newer, top selling fiction of the last few years, but haven't read a lot of older books. I've always wanted to read Catch 22. I think I'll see if I can get that on the nook from the library.
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Ah, I loved the Twilight Zone. I have not made it out of the house today, but think I am going to force myself to go out and may just make a trip to Half Priced Books to see what they have.
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I confess, I am a Tim Dorsey fan on hiatus, I have read the first 9 of his Serge Storm books and needed a break from the drugs, sex, general mayhem and diabolically creative murder. I always thought that I should have a notebook by my side to jot down places of interest because each book focuses on some geographic area, historical or cultural aspect of Florida. So in the off chance that I ever traveled to Florida for other than Dragon Boat Camp - I would use information gleaned from his books as guides. But somehow I have to hold onto to the books with both hands while reading - seriously he takes you for such a ride!
check out Christopher Moore http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/christopher-moore/ who is equally imaginative, if not as drug-fueled or bloody. Many of his books have California and Hawaii as their locales. He takes on conservation issues and religions His book Lamb: The Gospel according to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal is one of my all time favorites.
Julie E
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I've loved most Christopher Moore. Especially The Gospel According to Biff--it was crack-up funny!!
I just finished THE LAST SAMURAI by Helen DeWitt. Something about "post-modern" writing (whatever that really is) that I don't enjoy. I stuck with it for a book club, but I'm wondering if anyone else in that group will manage.
In between novels, I read parts of EMPORER OF ALL MALADIES. It's good, but I can only do small doses.
Up next--THE PARIS WIFE.
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Any John Sanford fans? I just love the Prey books. I think I have read them all. Just saw that USA is going to be showing Certain Prey with Mark Harmon as Lucas Davenport. I never pictured Lucas Davenport as anything close to Mark Harmon. (Not to say I don't love Mark Harmon and NCIS, just don't think it's a good casting.) But I'll be watching it any way to see how it comes out.
Found a copy of Catch 22 at home. Starting that now.
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The current issue of New York Magazine has a terrific article on Joan Didion and her new book, Blue Nights!
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Kay- I'm going to try Catch 22 as well! Thanks for the reminder!
Ok, will I totally get kicked off this site if I wonder out loud about the Twilight series? Yes, my daughter read them in high school, but seems that I have heard they are fun and enthralling? Just wondering if they might make good radiation reading somehow? LOL
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vtEllen...Whatever floats your boat! Go for it! What's the worst that could happen if you don't enjoy Twilight? You leave the book in the lounge area and let someone else try it!!! 0
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I just finished The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman. I loved it. My chemo brain made it hard to keep track of the characters. It was a riveting story that followed the lives of 4 Jewish women in the Roman times. I'm just starting 'City of Thieves' by David Benioff. A WWII novel.
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vtEllen, I may try the Twilight series too, if I can borrow them from my niece. My DH read them and enjoyed all but one of them. And he is a heavy reader, but usually reads something lighter as well. He's always working on more than one book at a time. I could never do that. Always just wanted to concentrate on one at a time. In the same vein, we both LOVED the Harry Potter series. We initially started them with my sons. The oldest son was the same age as Harry in the first book just when it came out. All four of us were completely hooked on them. I am sad that there won't be any more.
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Forgot to mention a small gem, Philosophy Bites:
http://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-Bites-David-Edmonds/dp/0199576327
The book is based on interviews that also appear on the Philosophy Bites website. My mother and I are connecting with Philosophy books these last few years and there are very few Philosophy books that appeal to us because most of them are so deep...and often full of themselves. This tiny book is simple to read and understand and tickles the brain....
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Hi Everyone!
My bookclub has chosen a book called The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. An excellent read so far
Vikki
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VR - for your husband and anyone else actually. Eliot Pattison's series which takes place in modern day Tibet. The protagonist is a disgraced and formerly imprisoned Chinese investigator who watches the backs of a group of Buddhists monks and is called on to solve politically sensitive crimes by the Chinese authorities in Tibet. I found it really eye-opening about China's 50+ occupation of Tibet and their ongoing effort to coopt and destroy Tibetan culture. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/p/eliot-pattison/
Julie E
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I still haven't gotten past the October 2010 posts, but would like to add a few great books I have read. I am in a book club, and we read a wide variety of books.
Some of my favorites were:
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Infidel by Aayan Hirsi
Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
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Oh, and another one:
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I loved that book.
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Wow, I feel glorious to read all of these great suggestions, wonderful!!!!
Thank you!!!
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Jelson....thanks for the recommendation. I will recommend to my close friend... The one who reads Sandra Brown books... The Pattison series. She and her husband visit Asia twice a year on business. They just returned on Saturday. His new newer series on colonial America is up the DH and my alley. Wonder how he compares to Beverly Swerling.....
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VR- I could/will spend the rest of the my life reading the books you recommend or even casually reference - you are amazing. who is Beverly Swerling, nevermind, I will check her out myself!!!!
Julie E
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I finally FINALLY finished Cutting for Stone - Whew! I don't know why on earth it took me so long to read it.... Yes to whoever asked if the second half was better/quicker to read. I can see why after finishing it people loved it and yes it made me cry and I did get to know and care about the characters but it wasn't worth all the struggle for me though. I KNOW, most everone adores the book! But I have read other books that have as much interest and evoke the same depth of emotion but I just think I couldn't get into the author's style of writing. I don't know, maybe cause it was a male doctor writing it.... Anyway, looking forward to reading something lighter and more fun... Thinking about the Pettigrew book....
I too know about horders, my across the street neighbor where I used to live is a horder. I have been in her house twice and it is something like I would never have imagined. Her family has tried everything and she won't get help at all. She is well educated, travels the world, normal nice lady but for her house... She hardly ever even has anything to take to the trash.... It is sad but unless they want help or are hurting themselves or others not sure what you can do abou it.
The Grief of Others by Leah Hager Cohen - has to to with infidently, prior families and building relationships. I have not read this but a friend recommended it .
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My first visit to this thread. YUMMMMM. Thanks KK!!!
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Okie dokie...I finished reading Death in the City of Light. A.TOUR.DE.FORCE!
http://www.amazon.com/Death-City-Light-Serial-Nazi-Occupied/dp/0307452891
Many comparisons have been made to Erik Larson's books. I agree. I know a couple of you have chimed in that you enjoy reading his books as well. Devil in the White City is his most popular book and his current book, In The Garden of the Beasts is way up there on all the best sellers lists. Both books are terrific!
However, I have to say that I think Death in the City of Lights is even better. Besides the story, I learned so many details about the people who were living in Occupied Paris during WWII. Picasso, Camus, Sartes......
and then there's the movie Black Book.
http://www.amazon.com/Death-City-Light-Serial-Nazi-Occupied/dp/0307452891
Several years ago, I got from the library the Dutch film Black Book. One of the best films I EVER saw. So.....there I was reading Death in the City of Light and had a faint recall of the movie Black Book. So with these "magic fingers" I did a little research and sure enough, the basic theme of the movie was derived from the same events that the book is describing.
I highly recommend that if anyone is interested in the topic, they first watch the DVD Black Book and then read the book Death in the City of Light. Both are unbelievable AND unforgettable. Trust me when I say you need to see the film first.....
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Livingit...KK (Elizabeth) passed a few months ago. This thread is her gift to us......
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VR - Zoh had never visited this thread before last night. She learned of it because of a discussion yesterday about KK on the Stage IV forum. I think we'll probably have quite a few new posters here since that discussion.
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Alpah...I saw the thread yesterday...Elizabeth is truly missed. Amazing how a single person touches so many people's lives....
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Now what do you know????? So I wasn't the only one dreaming of a movie based on Robert Caro's Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Power Broker, based on the life of Robert Moses and wondering who should portray him!
Who should play Robert Moses in HBO film?
October 27, 2011 by VERNE GAY / verne.gay@newsday.com
Master builder Robert Moses -- who changed all our lives, for better or ill -- died in 1981 at the age of 92.
So maybe it's finally time for the biopic, right? In fact, HBO is developing one in tandem with Oliver Stone that's based on Robert Caro's 1974 classic, "The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York," according to the Hollywood Reporter. (HBO declined to comment, and Caro did not return a call to his office seeking comment.)
But who to play Moses? The choice must project power (of course), a certain degree of inflexibility and ill humor (he did famously say, "those who can, build; those who can't criticize"), and maybe even the soul of a dreamer.
<a href="http://a.collective-media.net/jump/q1.nd.newsday/ent;sz=300x250;click0=;ord=7401836?" target="_blank"><img src="http://a.collective-media.net/ad/q1.nd.newsday/ent;sz=300x250;click0=;ord=7401836?" width="300" height="250" border="0" alt=""></a>
<A TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/activity;src=1138179;met=1;v=1;pid=71961873;aid=247356566;ko=0;cid=44493346;rid=44511134;rv=1;cs=d;eid1=640519;ecn1=1;etm1=0;_dc_redir=url?http://ad.doubleclick.net/click;h=v8/3bae/3/0/*/x;247356566;2-0;0;71961873;4307-300/250;44493346/44511134/1;u=,q1-20401508346_1319803181,1236e2828c8cbdf,ent,;~aopt=0/ff/12/ff;~fdr=246974436;0-0;0;65679839;4307-300/250;44310780/44328567/1;u=,q1-20401508346_1319803181,1236e2828c8cbdf,ent,;~aopt=3/0/12/0;~fdr=246786249;0-0;0;71948983;4307-300/250;44225662/44243449/1;u=,q1-20401508346_1319803181,1236e2828c8cbdf,ent,;~aopt=0/ff/12/ff;~sscs=?http://www.chevrolet.com/season-of-doing/"> <IMG SRC="http://s0.2mdn.net/1138179/PID_1771239_CHV_2011_Sil_Ret_TM_SOD_1500video_300x250.jpg" width="300" height="250" BORDER="0" alt=""> </A> <IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/activity;src=1138179;met=1;v=1;pid=71961873;aid=247356566;ko=0;cid=44493346;rid=44511134;rv=1;×tamp=7403602;eid1=9;ecn1=1;etm1=0;" width="0px" height="0px" style="visibility:hidden" BORDER="0"/> <IMG SRC="" width="0px" height="0px" style="visibility:hidden" BORDER="0"/> <IMG SRC="" width="0px" height="0px" style="visibility:hidden" BORDER="0"/>
<div><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/cblvsn.nwsd.entertainment/tv_article;pos=as1;tile=11;sz=300x250,300x600;ord=1319803179925?"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/cblvsn.nwsd.entertainment/tv_article;pos=as1;tile=11;sz=300x250,300x600;ord=1319803179925?" width="300" height="250" /></a></div>Some of the possibilities my editors and I cooked up:
Frank Langella: My personal favorite, he made Richard Nixon even more Nixonian in "Frost/Nixon."
John Malkovich: Perfect blend of martini-dry humor, freaky/scary eyes, and soaring forehead. He could out-Moses Moses.
David Strathairn: Love the voice, love the actor -- but does he do mean?
Philip Seymour Hoffman: Great actor who can do it all. (But a tall, patrician-like figure with deeply receding hairline? That's what makeup artists are for.)
Sam Waterston: Right blend of steely temperament and let-them-eat-cake hauteur.
Stanley Tucci: The Stanley Tucci from "Road to Perdition" or "Winchell"; probably not the one from "Burlesque" or "Easy A."
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