Author |
Message |
Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Monday, March 27, 2006 - 5:15 pm
I finished Abide With Me and it's one of those books where I don't know how I felt about it. I liked it but didn't love it. I am reading Killer Pancake by Diane Mott Davidson. It's the fifth book in the Goldy Bear series and so far, I'm enjoying it.
|
Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 1:09 pm
I just read The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult. It was so different than I expected. Right when I thought things were one way, you find out they weren't. Good book.
|
Tabbyking
Member
03-11-2002
| Friday, April 07, 2006 - 5:43 pm
i read 'in her shoes' recently and i was bummed the movie left so much out! the book was much better than the film. dd is reading it now to see what she missed in watching. i am reading a linda fairstein novel called 'entombed'. she is a very good writer and was head of the sex crimes unit in NYC for many years. this is the 4th or 5th book of hers i have read.
|
Mak1
Member
08-12-2002
| Friday, April 07, 2006 - 6:24 pm
I've just finished two books, both of which I enjoyed immensely! The first was The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffmann. I love the development of her characters and think this was my favorite of hers so far. Today I reluctantly finished A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby. The story starts with four strangers who meet on a London rooftop on New Year's Eve, all intending to jump! I'm not giving anything away by telling you that they do not jump that night. They form a dysfunctional bond. The way Hornby switches from despair to hilarity is sometimes almost jarring, but somehow the hope and bizarre humor (at least for the reader) overpowers the despair. Each chapter is written from the perspective of one main character. I found myself reading faster as I got into the book, anxious to see what could possibly happen next! I wish there were a few more chapters to read tonight. 
|
Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Friday, April 07, 2006 - 7:02 pm
Mak, I have that on my TBR pile. I look forward to it now! I read The Ice Queen a while back and loved it. She's one of my very favorite writers.
|
Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Saturday, April 08, 2006 - 8:03 am
I just finished The Secret Life Of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain. It was about a young girl getting involved with a couple of guys in a kidnapping attempt and ending up having to go underground with the baby of the woman they kidnap. It was a very good read.
|
Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Monday, April 10, 2006 - 4:32 am
Has anyone read any good non-fiction books? I hear about them sometimes on TV and then forget to write them down. Duh! I used to love reading non-fiction and have gotten away from it in the past few years.
|
Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Monday, April 10, 2006 - 11:38 am
I just read The Prize Winner Of Defiance, Ohio and it was a very uplifting, fun non-fiction book.
|
Wendo
Member
08-07-2000
| Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 9:05 am
Recently finished Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan. What a wonderful and moving story about a dog and the family that forms around him despite the dogs foibles. Many, many laugh out loud moments as well. Highly recommended. Started Prep the other day. Since I attended boarding school, I have mixed feelings so far. But, it's holding my attention so...
|
Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 11:40 am
I was disappointed in Prep. Maybe because I didn't go to a boarding school, I don't know. I had a hard time finding any real feeling for the characters.
|
Roxip
Member
01-29-2004
| Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 1:17 pm
Anybody read "90 Minutes in Heaven?" My parents were raving about it this weekend. Said they couldn't put it down.
|
Wendo
Member
08-07-2000
| Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 2:36 pm
Mamie, that's some of the problem I'm having with Prep as well. I'm just not identifying or having any feelings for the main protaganist. Also, while I realize that every boarding experience is probably different for each person, I'm not finding anything I can relate to in the novel (and I WENT to boarding school; single sex, but still...)
|
Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 2:56 pm
I am reading A Most Uncommon Degree Of Popularity right now. It's about how it isn't just about the kids being popular but the mothers of the kids as well.
|
Marysafan
Member
08-07-2000
| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 1:39 pm
I recently finished a book of short stories by Rosamunde Pilcher titled "The Blue Bedroom and other stories". I enjoyed it so much that I brought out "September" which is her sequel to "The Shell Seekers" and enjoyed that even more.
|
Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 3:04 pm
If the book has Rosamunde Pilcher for the author...I know I am going to enjoy it. Another author that writes like that is Maeve Binchey.
|
Kattatude
Member
04-28-2005
| Friday, April 14, 2006 - 2:31 am
I'm trying to get through Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell and Maggie Now by Betty Smith. I recently took up learning to sew, and that has put a huge crimp in my reading time. I've read several Rosamunde Pilcher books, and loved them all. I adore Maeve Binchy also. I always feel cozy when I read their books, if that makes any sense. LOL
|
Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 1:27 pm
Thanks for the non-fiction referrals. I'm always looking for new good books and right now I'm in the non-fiction mood. I'll have to check those out. Many thanks!
|
Wendo
Member
08-07-2000
| Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 10:34 pm
Mamie, as I continue to muddle through Prep, I think I understand why I'm not digging it. The protaganist is not very likeable. When that happens, it's very diificult for me to enjoy the book. (And, so far, not digging this book that much. I had higher hopes for it.) Will post when I finish.
|
Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 10:54 pm
Cathy Kelly is a delicious storyteller for those who love Pilcher and Binchy. I HIGHLY recommend her books.
|
Mamie316
Member
07-08-2003
| Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 11:08 pm
Wendo, I know what you mean. I had a hard time having any feeling whatsoever for her.
|
Marysafan
Member
08-07-2000
| Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 4:18 am
Well, after posting on Wednesday, I decided it might be time to revisit Maeve Binchey. I had mixed reviews about the last book I read, and I had trouble getting started on another so I just set her aside for awhile. I went to my bookshelf and decided to make a second attempt at "Evening Class". Seamonkey had said that she read it and liked it and Seamonkey has never steared me wrong, so I picked it up to have another go. The first thing I discover is a missing bookmark that I have been looking for! Then I read the back cover and once again am not enamored of the cast of characters especially the "Signora" who is the teacher of this group of ordinary people. I imagine an Auntie Mame type of women. Someone who is so full of herself and commands, make that demands attention, and has to be the center of things. But I look into it anyway. I notice that the book is divided into sections. The first is Aiden, a middle aged school teacher. (I imagine Clifton Webb for some reason.) Then Signora Oh great...probably the story of some barefoot Italian war bride who comes from a remote village and comes to live in Ireland with her husband until he dies and now she is a middle aged dark haired beauty with flashing eyes, and bright clothes with bracelets up to her elbow that jangle when she "flounces" and she has to teach Italian to make her living. I'm just gonna LOVE her! (<----sarcasm). Then Bill. The back cover says he works in a bank and has a ditzy girlfriend. I will probably like him and hope he ditches her. Then Kathy a young girl who has a sister Fran. Then Lou a criminal who is also described as "glowering". THERE'S a keeper! (<--sarcasm again.) Well, you get the picture. I don't have much time, I read the first 25 pages and decide I like Aiden enough to keep going. Thursday morning, I finish Aiden's section and don't want it to end. WAIT! I want to know what happens to him! But no...Maeve has other plans...and starts the tale of Signora, which I am dreading, but will grit my teeth and get past it. Then I meet Signora, and discover that she is not at all as I had imagined her. In fact she is quite the opposite. She isn't loud and boisterous...she quiet and calm. She doesn't teach to be the center of attention, she teaches because she wants to share her love of Italy...and because of that thing that when someone comes into a room and they don't know something...and when they leave it...they do! Signora is beloved!...and her story makes my heart ache. Okay, Maeve...now you've gone and done it. You made my heart ache and I am totally hooked now. Each section is about 50 pages and I have finished Aiden, read all of Signora, and have time for one more so I delve into Bill. I LIKE Bill too. So that's how we will do this. Two sections a day. Two people a day. That'll work. So I get up Friday and read Kathy. I really like Kathy and her sister Fran, especially Fran. And by now the evening classes have begun so we are meeting other people along the way. I remember how much I enjoyed my evening classes...how much I looked forward to them. How I enjoyed meeting new people, and how much I loved learning new things. And I wish I could be there with them learning Italian from Signora. And the first night when they all are given Italian versions of their names, I find myself saying "Mi chiamo Maria! And next comes Lou the surly criminal also known as Luigi in class. And I'm sure I'm not going to like him, but I get to know him, and understand him, and see how he got himself mixed up in things...so by the end of the section I'm rooting for him. Okay...this book isn't going to be as bad as I thought, in fact...I'm quite enjoying it. Next morning comes Connie the rich lady who I KNOW I'm not going to like much less care about...but then I do like her and care about her. And then Laddy the porter from the run down hotel. (Geez Maeve...just how much pulling at the heart strings do you think I can take!) But I am taken in by Laddy, and his sister Rose and his nephew Gus and Gus's wife, and I care about all of them too. And now my two people allotment is done...and next is Fiona. Fiona! What's Fiona doing here! She isn't even in the class! She's the mousy best friend of Aiden's daughters...the one with the big glasses. MAEVE! What are you doing taking me on this tangent! So I break my two person limit and start in on Fiona...what the heck it's Saturday. But I see how Fiona fits...and I like her...heck I like her best! And then comes the page where she says something that makes me laugh right out loud! I can't remember when a book has made me laugh out loud like that. God love Fiona. And the next thing you know, it's late afternoon and I've read right through the Busch race, and there's only one more section left and that's Viaggio whoever the heck that is...probably some Italian dude with greasy black hair and black pants and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a gold chain around his neck. And I just know that I'm not going to like him...and what is he going to do to my people! And then I discover that Viaggio isn't a who...but a what...and it's too late...I am sooo hooked and soo into this book that I dont' care that the Wing's game is starting or that I have been practically ignoring hubby all day. I HAVE to finish this! So I read into the evening that becomes the night and all through the thunderstorm...and I keep reading and turning pages until finally there are no more pages to turn and it's 10:30! Okay...I know it's a bit long winded. I could have just said, "I just finished reading Maeve Binchey's "Evening Class" and I like it very much...but somehow that just wasn't enough this morning. I just HAD to share the experience. Next time, I'll try to be more brief. Now I'm off to try to decide what's next. That could be quite a job.
|
Supergranny
Member
02-03-2005
| Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 8:29 am
LOL Mary...love the book report! Thanks for helping my day be brighter.
|
Saggkl
Member
07-17-2002
| Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 11:04 am
Sure made me want to read it, thanks Mary.
|
Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 11:18 am
Read it and loved it, too. (Marysafan said: I imagine an Auntie Mame type of women. Someone who is so full of herself and commands, make that demands attention, and has to be the center of things. I see Aunty Mame as an openhearted, loving, and generous character who only wants others to be as happy and joyful as she is and to not be afraid to live large and look for the very best life has to offer. And that's where I derived the first part of my nickname... to remind me that as Mame Dennis says: 'Life is a banquest and too many poor suckers are starving to death.' FYI - I also picked Blanche for Blanche Dubois, to represent the other side of the coin, for those days when I am feeling fragile, unhappy, or stressed, and beaten down by life.)
|
Marysafan
Member
08-07-2000
| Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 1:26 pm
Last night I finished "A Walk to Remember" by Nicholas Sparks. My daughter gave it to me a couple of years ago and said, "You HAVE to read this." I finally got around to it...and with a little help from the board being down yesterday finished it in just two days. I really liked the style and especially the first person naration. It probably would have been a better read if I were still as naive as I used to be. In my ripe old age, I saw everything coming a mile away and as a result, it wasn't as enjoyable to me as it could have been. I have just started "Welcome to the World, Baby Girl" by Fannie Flagg. My daughter is reading it also...and says that I will really enjoy this one. So far so good....seems to be right up my alley.
|