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Archive through May 12, 2003

The TVClubHouse: Archives: Movies & Library 2003 -2004: Library: June 2003 - April 2004: Let's share....what are you reading? (ARCHIVES): Archives: Archive through May 12, 2003 users admin

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Marysafan

Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 12:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I finished the John McCain book and found it to be a good read.

I haven't received my treasure of Nelson Demille books from my E-bay seller yet...so while waiting, I decided to read Lest We Forget The Kingsmen, 101st Aviation Battalion, 1968. I thought now would be a good time as I have developed a fairly good concept of the lay of the land in Vietnam. It is nice after all these years to be able to put all the disjointed pieces of the puzzle to together and see the country as a whole.

This book is a journey back in time to the one year odessy of a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. A true story and written by the man himself, William C. Meacham speaks in the language of his time and circumstances.

So far an excitng but also sad adventure.

Seamonkey

Sunday, May 04, 2003 - 12:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Finished Bruce Feiler's Under the Big Top, a very interesting read!! I already "miss" the people he travelled with for a season.

Next book is David McCullough's first book from 1968: The Johnstown Flood: The incredible story behind one of the most devastating "Natural" disasters America has ever known. Looking forward to getting into it after I finish the Sunday paper.

Seamonkey

Tuesday, May 06, 2003 - 7:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Finished the book about the flood.. wow.. and now will start a novel which is set during the flood.. I wanted to read the factual book first, to have the background. Novel is a NYTimes Notable Book: In Sunlight, in a Beautiful Garden by kathleen Cambor.

Kady, don't know if your son strays from fantasy/scifi, but if he does, he might give the trilogy My Friend Flicka, Thunderhead and The Green Grass of Wyoming a try. They are adult books but I adored them when I was quite young and a couple of years back I got a set and re-read them. After all, one can have fantasy about horses too.

Chai

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 5:06 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I hope it's ok if I jump in here. I'm reading Agatha Christie's autobiography right now. I'm really enjoying it, so far. My son and I were very much into the series "Manor House". Christie grew up in that era and desctibes it wonderfully, as well as the WW1 era, etc.! Through this book, I am also getting an idea of just how exciting the first automobiles and airplanes were! How fun it is to read about how she started writing, and how she came up with her characters, especially Poirot!

Seamonkey

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 6:32 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Chai!! More than OK to jump in.. that sounds like a great book; I love autobiographies, especially by writers..

Marysafan

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 7:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Welcome Chai! Feel free to jump in anytime! that sounds like a great book! I love reading about that era.

I finished Lest We Forget this morning. I couldn't put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed "Wild Bill" Meacham's account of his tour in Vietnam during 1968. I think I flew every mission with him. He has a ways of taking you along for the ride. I am terrified of helicopters and would never dare to go up in one. Flying with "Wild Bill" allowed me to have have the adventure without any of the risk.

I received the Nelson Demille books in the mail and will start with The General's Daughter so that I will be reunited with Paul Brenner. I really enjoyed him in Up Country and am looking forward to spending some more time with him.

I am hating to say goodbye to "Wild Bill" and W.T. and the rest of the guys. But that's the way it goes. When your tour is over...you have to move on. It must have been incredibly hard for those guys to go back to a "normal" life after living under those conditions. I am hopeful that the friendships lasted a lifetime.

Mak1

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Welcome Chai. I love autobiographies, and this sounds like a good one.

I know how you're feeling, Mary. I finished The Secret Life of Bees this weekend and had a difficult time saying goodbye to the wonderful characters. It would make a perfect TVCH book club read! I even loved the interview of the author at the end. Thank you to everyone who recommended it in this thread!!

Today I'm starting an old science fiction book The Hole in the Zero by M. K. Joseph.

Seamonkey

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 1:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Mak.. glad you enjoyed SLOB.. I missed it right away as well.. now you know what I meant about the hats :)

Marysafan

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 3:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
You know...a few years ago, I followed along with Oprah's book club so that I could expand my horizons and get out of my reading rut. I found many of her selections quite depressing and eventually stopped following along.

I felt though that I really needed someone to help guide me to books that I would enjoy but might not necessarily seek out. The people on this board and particularly those that have posted in this thread have guided me to many, many hours of enjoyable reading the last couple of years.

I already have hubby in search of the Secret Life of Bees...because I already know I am going to love it based on your recommendations.

I just want to say thanks to you all who post here...and please keep sharing what you are reading. I may not always comment...but trust me...I am taking it all in!

Thanks again!

Mak1

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 7:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Seamonkey, I thought of you when I got to the first scene with the hats . I was reading it fast, then slowed down when I noticed I was so close to the end and tried to stretch it out for a couple more days. Mary, I think you will love it too.

I stopped by a United Way book sale table yesterday and found the Louise Erdrich/Michael Dorris paperback The Crown of Columbus for 50 cents. I was so excited. These are authors I probably wouldn't have found if it weren't for this board. Once again, thanks to everyone who posts their reviews and recommendations in the Library threads!

Hermione69

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 7:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Secret Life of Bees is one of the Virginia Young Readers selection for the next school year! I was so happy to hear that! That means we will be ordering 10 copies for the library!

I'm reading Speaking in Tongues by Jeffrey Deaver. He wigs me out, but I can never put his books down.

Seamonkey

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 8:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
That's great Hermi!! I think someone should option SLOB for a movie..

Sia

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 9:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Today I picked up "Household Gods" from the library. I like Harry Turtledove.

Cjr

Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I have been trying to get through the "Shelters of Stone" for weeks now and am so disappointed. I think I'll give up and start on "The Guardian".

Seamonkey

Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 5:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I just now finished the novel In Sunlight, in a Beautiful Garden, by Kathleen Cambor.. which was beautiful as a standalone but was perfect because I had just read the book about the Johnstown flood, so I had all the background, all of the detail that was mostly a backdrop/horrible blip/life and plot-changer in the novel. Once in awhile I really do it right :)

And the next book which undoubtedly I'll just barely begin before going back to sleep, is another novel, Life of Pi, by Yann Martel.

Now to hopefully not stay too long on the board so I can get more sleep before Saturday really begins.

Marysafan

Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 8:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Seamonkey, I will be really interested to hear what you have to say about "Life of Pi". It sounds intriguing.

Zachsmom

Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:50 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I finished "Mortal Prey" by John Sanford..it was good..but could have had a more climatic ending. With a book this size I usually could finish it in a day or two..but it did take me 4 because it didn't really "draw me in" if that makes sense.

I started "Up Country" last night and I'll see y'all in a few days..lol..it has engrossed me to where the house will stay a mess until this is finished!

Lycanthrope

Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 12:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm in the middle of a book called "The Da Vinci Code". It mixes historical fact with the fiction, and crafts a story that many Catholics will not like at all. And it's one of those books that make you think, and make you wanna go study more world history, especially as it pertains to the stories of Jesus Christ, the Knights Templar, and the Catholic Church's rise to power. It's a very fascinating read.

Marysafan

Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 12:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I finished The General's Daughter this morning. I couldn't put it down. I had seen the movie, but as usual the book was a hundred times better. It was great to spend some more time with Paul Brenner.

I have 8 more Nelson Demille books that just arrived and it was hard to narrow down the choices...but I finally opted for Spencerville. I am very much looking forward to spending some time with more of Mr. Demille's characters.

Zachsmom

Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 12:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Marysafan.."The Lion Game" was exceptionally good..actually..all of his books are good!

Djgirl5235

Monday, May 12, 2003 - 8:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I just finished "The Scold's Bridle" by Minette Walters (of "The Sculptress" fame)

"Scold's" was brilliantly written, and I could barely put it down - it was named the best crime novel of the year when it was first published. Definitely a must read if you enjoyed "Sculptress".

Mak1

Monday, May 12, 2003 - 10:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, Deej, it's nice to know Walters' other books are good, too!

Kimmo

Monday, May 12, 2003 - 2:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I just started "Out of the Silent Planet" by C.S. Lewis at home, and reading "A Painted House" (John Grisham) at work....

Also have to read "Camilla" by Madeleine L'Engle. I have probably started to read it at least 8 times since middle school, but never finished it.

Marysafan

Monday, May 12, 2003 - 3:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Kimmo, I have Grisham's A Painted House. I would be very interested in your take on it and if it is a worthwhile read.

Myjohnhenry

Monday, May 12, 2003 - 5:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Mary...first hint...don't read the book expecting it to be anything like Grisham's others because it isn't.
I picked it up at the library last summer and had a hard time getting into it. (Probably didn't help that I was on pain killers at the time, although my sister said she felt it was hard to get into as well...kind of slow) I ended up getting it on tape and my daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story.