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Archive through May 04, 2006

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: Movies & Library ARCHIVES: Movies & Library 2009 - 1: Let's share...what are you reading? 2006-2008: Archive through May 04, 2006 users admin

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Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Saturday, April 22, 2006 - 10:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I am finally reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I hope that I love it as much as I've heard others talk about it. I belong to a few reading groups online and the majority rave about it but there have been a few who found it disappointed them.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 10:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
OOOOOoooooo, Mamie. I sincerely hope you like it; this is my favorite series of all times. It is definitely different than most books. As far as the series went, Outlander, Voyager and A Breath of Snow and Ashes are my favorites; Dragonfly in Amber was heavy on the politics and emotionally gut-wrenching, Drums of Autumn and Fiery Cross focus more on the day to day living -- and I love that about them. It just made them "slower" reads for me. I read O, V and ABOSAA each in about 2 days! There just didn't seem to be any "good" stopping spots. :-) Based on others that I've recommended the books to, don't be surprised if it's a love or hate reaction. Most people who like them, REALLY like them; those who don't, couldn't care less (and have actually been known to not even finish them!).

I like the careful research, the complex characters and the humor in the series. There are so many laugh out loud moments that draw me in. On the other side, there are also moments that make my cry like a baby.

Merrysea
Member

08-13-2004

Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 11:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Merrysea a private message Print Post    
I also loved this series, but I haven't read A Breath of Snow and Ashes - is it out in paperback yet?

Beachcomber
Member

08-26-2003

Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 2:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beachcomber a private message Print Post    
The latest Ms. Julia book (Miss Julia Stands Her Ground) by Ann B. Ross and the latest book (Savannah Breeze) by Mary Kay Andrews (author of Itty Bitty Lies and Savannah Blues) are out. I just received mine and can't wait to start on them.

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Sunday, April 23, 2006 - 2:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I have Savannah Breeze in my TBR pile.

Hermione69
Member

07-24-2002

Monday, April 24, 2006 - 4:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hermione69 a private message Print Post    
I'm reading Jonathan Kellerman's Monster at home. I've really been into him lately, the problem is he is cutting into my sleep! I can't put him down!

At work I'm plowing through all these non-fiction middle school books for the Book Review Committee on such scintillating topics as Guatemala and The United Nations.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Monday, April 24, 2006 - 8:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Merry, no -- the hardcover just came out in September, so I imagine the pb will be out this fall. I think you can get it through amazon.co.uk if you're just dying to read it. :-) I checked out the CDs from our local library and am re-reading by listening to it. It's 48 CDs in unabridged -- so it's going to take a couple of renewals! LOL

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 1:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I finished Outlander and although I did enjoy it, I didn't love it. I thought that Jamie was a wonderful romantic hero. It was nice to have someone not be so macho but it just didn't thrill me into reading the rest.

I am now reading A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby and loving it!

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 5:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
:-) Glad you didn't hate it, at least, Mamie. I'll try not to rave too often or too loud about the series. :-)

Mamie316
Member

07-08-2003

Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 5:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mamie316 a private message Print Post    
I'm glad that you love it, Teach. A lot of the people on my online reading groups feel exactly the way that you do! You can rave about it all you want!

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Thursday, April 27, 2006 - 10:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
LOL -- no biggie. Drives me nuts when people try to convince me with their cheering how wonderful a particular book or author is and I don't agree. Like you -- I'm happy they enjoy the book, but evidently I'm more easily annoyed because when they rave, I just want to tell people NOT to read the book because I didn't think it was all that and a bag of chips.

Must be the end of the school year- -my tolerance level has dropped drastically! Just want to get rid of the buggers and get some SLEEP!! LOL

On a book-related topic, has anyone read Night by Elie Wiesel? I use "The Shawl" novela by Cynthia Ozick in my AP class, and I'm thinking of pairing the two books next year -- a fiction/non-fiction type of comparison. I picked it up, but haven't had time to read it yet. I'm hoping it's good and would be interested in others' opinions.

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 6:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Prisonerno6 a private message Print Post    
I just started reading Laurell K. Hamilton's Merry Gentry series. So far more interesting than what I've sampled of her Anita Blake series. I may have to go back to those and give them another try after I finish these.

And anxiously awaiting Katie MacAlister's Even Vampires Get the BLues this Tuesday!

Marysafan
Member

08-07-2000

Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 12:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Marysafan a private message Print Post    
As expected, I loved "Welcome to the World, Baby Girl" by Fannie Flagg. I loved the characters, the story, and the way it was told. All unique.

I just finished "Prodigal Summer" by Barbara Kingslover. I'd heard that her "Poisonwood Bible" was an exceptional read, but just couldn't get into reading an epic tale of missionaries in Africa. Perhaps some day, I have the book on my must read shelf, but not yet.

"Prodigal Summer" is about three protagonists during an Appalacian summer. The book weaves back and forth between "Predators", "Old Chestnuts", and "Moth Love".

It gets a little preachy at times on matters of ecology, but the nature theme serves as a nice backdrop to the human element. I learned more about plants, animals, and insects than I expected, but I consider that a bonus.

I have really hit the jackpot lately, in finding all satisfying reads. I hope the trend continues.

Supergranny
Member

02-03-2005

Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 2:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Supergranny a private message Print Post    
I tried reading Poisonwood Bible but just couldn't finish it...a year later I listened to it on audio tapes and enjoyed it.

Saxywildcat
Member

05-30-2005

Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 4:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Saxywildcat a private message Print Post    
I'm working on In Cold Blood right now. I was going to read ALmost Paradise, a true story about a murder out in the hamptons, but one of my dogs ate it, go figure, right?

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 8:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Granny -- I just got a beautiful box of Poisonwood Bibles in; my AP class is reading it next year. What seemed to put the "wall" up in your reading? I'm sure I'll have kids have that issue if adults do, but that was one book I raced through and adored. That always makes it harder for me to predict what will "throw" the kiddos. :-) I do have the CDs, so I can always offer them to those who struggle.

Supergranny
Member

02-03-2005

Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 6:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Supergranny a private message Print Post    
Teacher...I was trying to remember just exactly what it was that put me off and it seems like it was too flowery and full of symbolism to get past the words and into the plot. And yet when it was read by an excellent reader I was able to get into the story. Sometimes she goes off on a tangent..an excess of words and I do not enjoy that type of writing.

Marysafan
Member

08-07-2000

Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 7:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Marysafan a private message Print Post    
Granny, I understand exactly what you are saying. I too was put off by her writing style, especially after the simplicity of Fannie Flagg. When I first started to read "Prodigal Summer" it was tough going at first. I almost set it aside. I had to slog through each word of every descriptive sentence, and sort through what seemed like a boatload of words to get at what she was saying.

It took me a while to get used to it. It was worth the effort...but it definitely was effort.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Sunday, April 30, 2006 - 8:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Thanks. :-) That helps immensely so I know how to "direct" kids through it. If we read Crime and Punishment first, it should "seem" easier. :-) One last question - -did the Biblical references throw either of you off? I grew up in very religious home, so got all the allusions, but I'm not sure how much explanation will be needed w/my non-religious students. I hate to go on "over kill" because I don't think every single allusion has to be "caught" in order to make the book understood; however, I do want them to catch some of them! LOL

Tabbyking
Member

03-11-2002

Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 9:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tabbyking a private message Print Post    
i have been trying to get through 'dragonfly in amber' since last september. i have to force myself to pick it up at all! i guess i'll just give the 3rd book away. i think for me, it's just too plodding and plotting; it gets boring after a while.
however, my sister, who probably didn't pick up a book until she was in her 30's has devoured all the gabaldon books. 'she gabald' them all up!!

right now, i am reading "marjorie morningstar', herman wouk's 1955 novel. i remember seeing the movie on tv several times when i was a kid, but this is the first i have read the book. very enjoyable.

Calamity
Member

10-18-2001

Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 10:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Calamity a private message Print Post    
Skimming posts here, haven't checked out this thread in a while...so fun to see what people are/have been reading and what they thought of certain books. Couple things - Teachmichigan: I've seen a book titled Outlander on the audio shelves at my library - the case was huge and I can't remember how many hours it said it was. I've often thought I ought to check it out someday though. And, Wendo, I agree with you about The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay! Marysafan, I just really enjoy your thoughtful posts. They've so interested me in checking out some of the books you've mentioned.

Anyway, I recently finished The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery (I posted in N&V about it) and Susanna Clark's Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (also discussed this...somewhere, can't remember where though, lol).

I'm now into Ken Bloom's The American Songbook and also just started listening to Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman on CD, superbly performed by Lenny Henry (simply saying "narrated by" wouldn't do it justice). It's a sequel to American Gods. I see Christopher Moore has a new book out, A Dirty Job, perhaps I'll try that next, if I get the nerve, lol.

I got to catch the very, very end of the second hour of the Diane Rehm show this morning. Michael Dirda was being interviewed and he mentioned John Crowley's Little, Big which has been on my to-read list since I was 13 or 14 years old! I remember him mentioning it in one of his newspaper columns too, from five years ago or so. I do have the book, and am determined to read it this year!

Hermione69
Member

07-24-2002

Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 12:23 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hermione69 a private message Print Post    
HELP!

One of my English teachers asked me if I have heard of an Indian author who writes in a very poetical style. He thinks her last name may start with a "Kir."

Anything coming to mind for any of you?

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 9:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Calamity -- that sounds right. I've got the entire series on cassette (except the latest which I have on CD). Outlander is the shortest at 27 tapes. Fiery Cross was 40 cassettes, and the latest, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, is 48 CDs. I listened to every single book (in short 10 minute spurts in the car while going to work) and it took me nearly 2 years to get through them all. Now I listen in the mornings while getting ready for work, and I'm getting through about 1 CD/tape every 3-4 days. :-)

Tabbyking
Member

03-11-2002

Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 10:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tabbyking a private message Print Post    
teach, wow, 2 years!! did you ever take the long way to work so you could finish a chapter?
gonna research hermi's question...

Tabbyking
Member

03-11-2002

Thursday, May 04, 2006 - 11:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tabbyking a private message Print Post    
well, there is a kiran desai, but 'kir' starts her first name...
i'll continue to look, hermi!