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Archive through February 03, 2005

The TVClubHouse: Movies/Library ARCHIVES: Library 2005: Let's share....what are you reading? (ARCHIVES): ARCHIVES: Archive through February 03, 2005 users admin

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Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 6:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I read Sugar Cookie Murder. It was very cute and yummy recipes.

Rslover
Member

11-19-2002

Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 8:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rslover a private message Print Post    
Have you read any of Phyllis Richman's books?
The Butter Did It, Murder on the Gravy Train or Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham?

Native_texan
Member

08-24-2004

Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 8:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Native_texan a private message Print Post    
Diane Mott Davidson (I hope I got her whole name correct) also has a series a about a Colorado caterer who is constantly solving murders and providing recipes to her dishes.

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 10:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I have the first three of the "Goldy Bear" series by Davidson. I haven't read them yet though.

Marysafan
Member

08-07-2000

Friday, January 21, 2005 - 7:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Marysafan a private message Print Post    
I just finished "Winter Solstice" by Rosamunde Pilcher. I don't know where to begin to tell you how much I enjoyed it.

I have a love/hate relationship with Ms. Pilcher. I abhor romance novels and have a tendency to roll my eyes at the mere thought of them. The first book that I read of hers was "Wild Mountain Tyme", but it was short and I was in the mood for a quick read. It was AWFUL! Then I went on Amazon.com and discovered that even long time fans of hers disliked this book, but because she takes so long to write a book (five years each for The Shell Seekers, and Winter Solstice)read it to tide them over.

I kept bumping into things that told me that "The Shell Seekers" was an extraordinary book, so when I came across a copy at a flee market, I picked it up as a good summer read. It was...and I enjoyed it very much. While in the midst of reading it, I came across "Winter Solstice" at a garage sale last summer and feeling that the old girl had redeemed herself, thought I would give her another chance.

After finishing the Mitford series which I had enjoyed very much, and finding myself in the depths of a frigid cold spell in my least favorite month of the year, I thought it might be an appropriate time for "Winter Solstice". It was.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed snuggling under my winter quilt, sipping a warm mug of something hot, and spending time with these characters. It made the last week not only bearable, but enjoyable. I cannot remember a time that I have enjoyed January more and with no hockey to watch...THAT's saying something.

If you are looking for a book with an exciting plot....this book is not for you. If are looking for a book to keep you guessing...again you will want to pass. Most things that happen (and there isn't a whole lot of things happening) you can see coming a mile away.

Instead this is a book about five people living their lives. Likeable people. Nice people. It's also a peek into life in a remote corner of the world, northern Scotland.

So, read this book, if you would love to sit down and enjoy a cup of something warm and spend some time getting to know these folks and enjoy their company. It will be a most satisfying visit. Also read this book if you would like a good look at Scotland...not from a tourist's perspective, but rather as if it were a painting. Because that's what I think she does, paints with words at least in this case.

Every time I see this book on my bookshelf, I will remember and cherish this time that I have spent with it. I am sorry that I finished it so soon, but it is my own fault for not putting it down more.

Now, I have no idea what to pick up next. This will be a hard act to follow.



Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Friday, January 21, 2005 - 8:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I love the way you described reading this book, Mary! You have sold me on it!

I am reading California Girl by Patricia Rice but I am just not getting into it. I may have to put it down and read something else. I hate to do that though.

Marysafan
Member

08-07-2000

Friday, January 21, 2005 - 9:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Marysafan a private message Print Post    
After much indecisiveness this morning and reading the first page of at least half a dozen novels, I have finally decided that
"The Cider House Rules" by John Irving will be my next selection.

I haven't seen the movie, nor have I read anything by John Irving. Perhaps it's time I did. So far so good after two pages!

Babyruth
Member

07-19-2001

Friday, January 21, 2005 - 10:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Babyruth a private message Print Post    
Marysafan, I am longtime big fan of Irving, and that book is my fave of all he's written. ENJOY!!

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Friday, January 21, 2005 - 10:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I really love John Irving too!

Yesitsme
Member

08-24-2004

Friday, January 21, 2005 - 11:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yesitsme a private message Print Post    
Mary, you got me to put that on my list, too. I like her stuff, though I have never read the one that you hated!

I'm currently reading an old one by Pat Conroy that I had never read, The Water is Wide. It's about a year he spent, around 1969, teaching at an all-black school at an island off the coast of SC. He evidently wrote this in the early 70s, but for some reason I had missed it. I love the texture of his writing. While he does often tackle depressing subjects, he always makes me laugh out loud, think and feel.

Puppylov3
Member

01-26-2004

Saturday, January 22, 2005 - 6:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Puppylov3 a private message Print Post    
I 've finished Dr. Zhivago on unabridged audio. Picked up and started Anna Karenina on unabriged audio - what can I say I'm on a russian novel kick.

I lovvvvvvvvvvvvved The Shell Seekers. Also read September and I think another one with some continuation of characters from the shell seekers.

typically I don't read romance either but I liked Pilcher but haven't gone beyond her shell seekers character books.

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Saturday, January 22, 2005 - 7:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I just started The Jasmine Moon Murder by Laura Childs. It's about a tea room owner who solves murders. It also has recipes in it.

Rslover
Member

11-19-2002

Monday, January 24, 2005 - 3:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rslover a private message Print Post    
I just read Clay Aiken's book, Learning to Sing. It's a short book, easily read in a few hours.

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - 12:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I am now reading Loop Group by Larry McMurty. So far, so good.

Scout
Member

01-20-2005

Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 10:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Scout a private message Print Post    
Marysafan, I love Rosamund Pilcher. Just the way you describe it - her books make you want to curl up in front of the fire and snuggle in for a great read!
I started with Winter Solstice and worked backwards. I loved Coming Home the best, then Shell Seekers, and September.
When I went back to her earlier novels, I hated them. I couldn't believe they were by the same author at all. They were sappy, silly, and no where near as well-written. I wish she'd hurry up and write another one. My son got me all the best ones in paperback for Christmas.
Have you read any of Maeve Binchy's books?
She writes a lot like Rosamund Pilcher in some ways. She can capture that warm, cozy feeling, and yet there is very little plot.
I usually feel as if I've visited Ireland and Scotland in Pilcher's case when I've finished one of their books.
Maeve Binchy's last book, "Nights of Rain and Stars" was okay, but not as good as those set in Ireland (at least for me).
I liked the "Cider House Rules" book, but didn't care for the movie at all.


Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 8:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I finished Loop Group which I did like but it was very different than I had thought it would be. I thought it would be more of a road trip between friends but it had a lot more sexual content than I expected. I think that Mr. McMurty was trying to show that women in their 60's were still very sexual beings but I thought there was a little too much talk about it.

I am now reading The Queen of The Big Time by Adriana Trigiani.

Terolyn
Member

05-06-2004

Friday, January 28, 2005 - 7:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Terolyn a private message Print Post    
I have started the Harry Potter books again - I figure by the time the new one comes out I will be ready for it :-)

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Friday, January 28, 2005 - 5:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I finished The Queen of The Big Time and I really enjoyed it. I wasn't sure if I would and I was pleasantly surprised.

I am now on to Sushi For Beginners by Marian Keyes.

Jen
Member

07-27-2003

Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 1:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jen a private message Print Post    
Just finished The Broker by John Grisham. It was good. The ending was almost as exciting as the ending to The Firm which I read many years ago.

I like that he has broken out of his only lawyer tale mode. His last one, The Last Juror, was his best in my opinion.

Now onto Conviction by Richard North Patterson. Can't wait! He is one of my favorites.

Puppylov3
Member

01-26-2004

Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 3:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Puppylov3 a private message Print Post    
just finished Plum Island by Nelson DeMille - loved it.

Scout
Member

01-20-2005

Monday, January 31, 2005 - 8:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Scout a private message Print Post    
Just finished, "The Da Vinci Code". Lots of build up, but didn't care much for the ending.
Scared to say too much about this book - seems to spark controversy no matter what you say. Reminded me a lot of some of Steven King's books. He can create the most fascinating, compelling premises, but his endings almost never live up to the quality of the rest of the story. I keep reading them, though...

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Monday, January 31, 2005 - 8:54 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
Scout, you are dead on about Stephen King. The endings always leave me a little disappointed. The book will be so enthralling and then there are aliens or some such thing at the end. Except for The Stand which I liked from cover to cover.

Scout
Member

01-20-2005

Monday, January 31, 2005 - 9:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Scout a private message Print Post    
Mamie, I, too, loved the Stand. I've read it many times. His best book, in my opinion.

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Monday, January 31, 2005 - 9:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I am with you 100% on that one!

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Thursday, February 03, 2005 - 8:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I am reading Nursery Crimes by Ayelet Waldman. It's the first book in her Mommy Track series. It's about a high-powered attorney who leaves work to stay home with her children and becomes a P.I. It has the right mix of mystery and hilarity. I read the two last ones and now and going back and reading the first 3.