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Archive through June 27, 2005

The TVClubHouse: Movies/Library ARCHIVES: Library 2005: Let's share....what are you reading? (ARCHIVES): ARCHIVES: Archive through June 27, 2005 users admin

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Cablejockey
Member

12-27-2001

Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 5:31 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cablejockey a private message Print Post    
Oh yes, there were some very strange things going on in that story, Calamity. It will be awhile before I get some of that book out of my mind. But it was quite a story nontheless. Now I'm reading another Neil Gaiman book--Nevermore.

Calamity
Member

10-18-2001

Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 12:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Calamity a private message Print Post    
Cablejockey: Yeah, there were many memorable moments in AG but when you're talking horror, I guess the part that haunted me the most was when Shadow solved the mystery of the missing kids. I was truly horrified by that. Still am.

Neverwhere was my first Neil Gaiman story. Not the book, the mini-series. Came across it on PBS late, late, late one night and simply had to watch it because I had no idea what was going on. It was that strange world that lead me to his books. I've read one of his graphic novels, many of his short stories, and one of his kids' books. That reminds me...someone gave me a copy of Stardust, which is more of a fairy tale and I reckon probably more my speed because his scary stuff freaks me out sometimes, lol.

Okay, most of the time. But I still can't help reading his stuff!

Scout
Member

01-20-2005

Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 5:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Scout a private message Print Post    
I'm reading "Perfect Madness - Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety", by Judith Warner. She discusses why all mothers today, whether they are stay-at-home or working, have so much more stress and guilt than ever before - especially compared to other countries. It's really interesting so far to read all the stories by the women she's interviewed on the topic. I'm anxious to see if she'll offer any solutions.

Melfie1222
Member

07-29-2002

Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 10:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Melfie1222 a private message Print Post    
Hi all . I go through phases with my reading, I read a lot some times and not so much others. I tend to re-read old favorites and mix it up with new books I haven't read yet. I recently re-read The Shell Seekers and September.

The newest book I finished was The Time Traveler's Wife (liked it) and I'm in the middle of The Shadow of the Wind (love! it so far... a book about books, and a lot more).

Cablejockey
Member

12-27-2001

Friday, May 20, 2005 - 8:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cablejockey a private message Print Post    
Calamity--I wasn't too surprised about the fate of the kids, but how many victims there had been, and the purpose of it--so awful. The murderer and the description of his origin was pretty nasty too.
So far Nevermore feels like a fairytale, but, being a cat owner, I fear they don't make out too well in this story. Just the descriptions of the 'fur trim' reminding him of a calico cat gave me the creeps.

Happygal
Member

11-15-2004

Friday, May 27, 2005 - 2:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Happygal a private message Print Post    
I enjoy popping in here to see what everyone is reading. Thought I would mention a few of the books that I’ve read since January. Some of these titles may be of interest to some of you.

Double Vision by Pat Barker. She is the award winning author of the “Regeneration Trilogy” and, although none of her later works can compare to Regeneration, this book is excellent.

All That Matters by Wayson Choy. If you enjoyed his other book, “The Jade Peony”, you’ll like this one. It continues the story of the Chen family. If you live in Vancouver, everything will seem so familiar!

Reversible Errors by Scott Turow. I enjoyed this book. It is similar to his other “lawyer/crime” drama-type books.

I am Charlotte Simmons by Tom Wolfe. Not so good…. I was expecting so much more from him.

The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard. This was a fascinating read. It takes place in the 1950-60s, but the way it is written, you’d swear it was a Victorian novel. I would definitely recommend this book.

The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty. This was a quick read with a happy ending and mostly a “feel good” story. I really enjoyed it.

Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. A very long (950 pages) but interesting book about an Australian who escapes from jail and eventually ends up in Bombay, India in the 1970s. The story is based on the author’s life… he goes through some incredible experiences! His description of the sights, sounds and smells of the slums of Bombay make you feel like you are actually there. A good read, if you’ve got the time.

The New Pearl Harbor by David Ray Griffin. This book is subtitled “Disturbing Questions about the Bush Administration and 9/11”. A fascinating read if you are the least bit interested in American politics and the lead-up to and the aftermath of September 11, 2001. The book is full of conspiracy theories (Oliver Stone would love it) … and it’s a bit hard to tell truth from fiction. But it’s an interesting read and made for some great dinner party conversation!



Calamity
Member

10-18-2001

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 10:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Calamity a private message Print Post    
The Cleveland Orchestra Story ~ Don't yawn! Just started it but so far it's actually been quite fascinating. Still, I imagine it may take me 'til the end of summer to finish the book, lol. It's very long as well as meticulously detailed and with warm weather finally here, my mind (and legs) are a bit too restless to concentrate on it for very long.

Essays of E.B. White ~ Way back when, I read a lovely work by White in one of my literature textbooks during study hall or something (alas, we never read the essay for class). I've always had fond memories of the piece and so was delighted to discover it in this collection. Yea! Oh, I'll read the others too, of course.

After that, looking for a fun fantasy or fairy tale...thinking it will be either Stardust by Neil Gaiman or The Once and Future King by T.H. White. I've given up trying to find the original novels and guess I'll have to settle for the omnibus version of that (which apparently omits some material from the originals).

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 12:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Calamity, I am really interested in the essay that you loved from Essays of E.B. White. I have several of his essay collections and love them. It's nice to read that there are others who still read his work.

Jasper
Member

09-14-2000

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 5:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jasper a private message Print Post    
I really enjoyed the Outlander and immediately went to the libray and got Dragonfly in Amber as well.

Just a short note, I have picked up a lot of recommended reading from this thread and so far none of you have steered me wrong!

Knightpatti
Member

12-06-2001

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 9:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Knightpatti a private message Print Post    
Just finished R for Ricochet by Sue Griffin. Enjoyed it.

Calamity
Member

10-18-2001

Thursday, June 02, 2005 - 2:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Calamity a private message Print Post    
Vee: The essay's called "The Eye of Edna". I haven't yet re-read it but as I recall it was an account of a hurricane that struck...somewhere...Florida, maybe?. Actually what I most remember was White describing what was happening before Edna arrived - him listening to radio bulletins and such. I reckon today's storm-weary folks along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts probably don't want to read about such things but to me, then a Midwestern kid, it was spellbinding. And, of course, written in such an effortlessly beautiful style.

When I was little, my favorite book by E.B. White was The Trumpet of the Swan (I whimpered about cutting Louis' foot though!). Stuart Little was wonderful too but I never read Charlotte's Web - I was too scared of spiders. But I still have my View-master set for the movie version, lol.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Thursday, June 02, 2005 - 3:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
Oh, thanks for getting back to me, Calamity. I don't recall that one so I will have to check through my collection. I'm hoping that I have it. I do love the way White juxtaposes his life on his saltwater farm with the struggles going on in other places. I guess I am thinking specifically of WWII. It makes quite a statement.

I hope that you will read Charlotte's Web. It is the best of his children's stories and is such a loving story about friendship. Think of Charlotte as a bird with weaving talents or something.

Edited to add: Yay! I just found it and am settling in to read it right now. I'll get back to you. Thanks again.

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Thursday, June 02, 2005 - 4:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Vee a private message Print Post    
It became evident to me after a few rounds with the radio that the broadcasters had opened up on Edna awfully far in advance, before she had come out of her corner, and were spending themselves at a reckless rate.

One just can't beat E.B. White for dry humor and concise, expressive writing. I really enjoyed that essay, Calamity. It strikes me that things have not changed much with hurricane, blizzard, and tornado weather reporting, etc.

"Once More to the Lake" is my favorite in the Essays of E.B.White, but my all time favorite is "Maine Speech" in One Man's Meat. I can remember reading portions to my son when he was quite young and he grasped the humor and we wound up laughing out loud together.

Calamity, I hope that you continue to spread the word about White's essays because I worry that they will fade away and that would be such a loss for those who enjoy this kind of writing.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Thursday, June 02, 2005 - 7:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Jasper Dragonfly in Amber is, IMHO, the hardest of the Outlander series to read. Number of reasons why -- main one is that the emotions are soooo complex, painful and real! It is FABULOUS, but gut-wrenching many times. My favorite of the entire series is Voyager (the third book). Let's just say Pirates, reunion sex, shipwrecks and Men In Kilts "have" to create a great book!

BTW -- I get to meet the author, Diana Gabaldon, this summer at the Highland Games in Fergus, Ontario. I cannot wait!!!

Calamity
Member

10-18-2001

Friday, June 03, 2005 - 2:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Calamity a private message Print Post    
Vee: Glad you enjoyed it. I hope I like it as much as I remember...I don't think I've ever read the other couple of essays you mentioned but will now. Oh, and I'll also try to read CW someday. I'll just keep thinking "She's a bird. She's a bird. She's a bird.", lol.


Jasper
Member

09-14-2000

Monday, June 06, 2005 - 11:31 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jasper a private message Print Post    
Teach I am about a third of the way thru, Randall has just reappeared and Jamie disappeared and Mary was raped. You are so right about the emotion, even thus far. I'm thinking of going to the Highland Games as well, Fergus isn't too far from where I live.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Monday, June 06, 2005 - 6:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
GOOOOOOOO!!!!! There will be many Gabaldon fans -- check out the Ladies of Lallybroch site. Diana is doing a few readings of the new book that's coming out in Sept. while she's at the games.

You should just have time to get through the current 5 before the 6th book comes out. If you start to lose track of characters, I also highly recommend "The Outlandish Companion." It came out between Drums of Autumn and Fiery Cross, so it doesn't have FC info -- but it's like a reference book plus some. It has all the characters w/descriptions, a Gaelic dictionary, astrology charts for Jamie and Claire (thanks to a Lady of Lallybroch! :-)), pictures of the jewelry, a question/answer session, a list of Diana's favorite books and much more. I read it cover to cover just waiting for FC to come out!

Sorry -- went a bit overboard. Can you tell I'm Jamie obsesses?? LOL

Scout
Member

01-20-2005

Sunday, June 12, 2005 - 9:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Scout a private message Print Post    
I just finished Dean Koontz's new book - Velocity. I miss his earlier books. This book wasn't bad, it just feels like all his latest books have nothing really new or original in them.

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Friday, June 17, 2005 - 11:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
I've been reading Jennifer Weiner all week. First one called Good In Bed and now I can't think of the one I'm reading now. Good author.

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Friday, June 17, 2005 - 12:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
Mocha, I love her books.

Supergranny
Member

02-03-2005

Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 3:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Supergranny a private message Print Post    
I am just finishing John Sandford's Broken Prey. It is so scary..I only read it during daylight! Actually I have it downloaded on my MP3 player so it is audio and I am walking around in the bright sunlight listening to it. The King County Library in Washington has all these books you can download to your computer and then you can burn them on cds or put on your MP3 player. They also come in text so you can put on your computer or palm pilot. It is really great. Some of these new books have over 500 holds waiting to read them. But not on the downloads.

Yesitsme
Member

08-24-2004

Thursday, June 23, 2005 - 1:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yesitsme a private message Print Post    
Mocha, Jennifer Weiner is definitely fun summer reading!

Loveslane
Member

06-15-2005

Monday, June 27, 2005 - 10:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Loveslane a private message Print Post    
Hi all. I, too, go through phases with my reading...I am now in a reading slump. Last week I started to read The Last Time I Saw Paris by Elizabeth Adler, but haven't been able to get into it.

Read the Big Stone Gap trilogy by Adriana Trigiani, which was recommended here sometime last year or the year before last (can't quite remember who did, sorry).

Read & liked Blue Plate Special by Frances Norris, a new & excellent writer.

Also read Queen of the Big Time by Ms. Trigiani, but didn't like the ending.

Loveslane
Member

06-15-2005

Monday, June 27, 2005 - 11:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Loveslane a private message Print Post    
Forgot to add that someone here also recommended Good Grief by Lolly Winston, which I read & absolutely loved (cried buckets).

Another TVCH recommendation which I've read & liked: The Big Love by Sarah Dunn.

Don't know whether someone has already read or recommended The Dive From Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer--this book stayed with me for the longest time. I re-read the entire thing after finishing it. I've gone back to it twice, but think I'll donate it to the library--that way I won't immerse myself into the book again.



Not1worry
Member

07-30-2002

Monday, June 27, 2005 - 12:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Not1worry a private message Print Post    
An Unfinished Life by Mark Spragg was excellent. I hear they are making it into a movie, which I almost never like. It's about a women who constantly choses the wrong man and now he's left her with more bruises and a big choice. She and her daughter pack up and leave, only to end up with a dead car on the side of the highway. They hitch a ride to the only place she can think of, her father-in-law's. He's crusty old rancher who despises her since the death of his son. Her daughter, who is about 10 I think, didn't even know she had a grandfather. Definitely a can't-put-it-down book.

Also read Table for Fivethat we've talked about a lot on the Chick Lit thread. Good book, the author can really write about grief. I wouldn't say it was depressing, but a bit draining. I feel the need to read something really mindless now.