What's Everyone Reading, Part II

[Tanya]

...
Editorial Review from from amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Thirteenth-Tale-Novel-Diane-Setterfield/dp/0743298020/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-8071547-0725759?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176838030&sr=8-1):

Margaret has a story of her own: she was one of conjoined twins and her sister died so that Margaret could live. She feels an otherworldly aura sometimes or a yearning for a part of her that is forever missing. Vida's story involves two wild girls--feral twins (is she one of them?)--who would have been better off being suckled by wolves. Instead, their mother and uncle, involved in things too unsavory to contemplate, combine to neglect them woefully. There's also a governess, a Doctor, a kindly housekeeper, a gardener, and another presence--a very strange presence--which Margaret perceives as a ghost at first. Making obeisance to other great ghost stories, there is a deadly fire, a beautiful old house gone to ruin, and always that presence....

I just read this too, from some of the reviews on here, and I really enjoyed it. I don't usually do gothic, past-setting books, but she is a fabulous writer. I just wanted to point out that the above review kinda spoiled part of the ending for me. No biggie, but I was a bit surprised that this review was so prevalent (I found it also when I did a google search). Anyone who's read this care to venture (spoiler below)
who was saved from the fire? I'm guessing most will pick Adeline, but how else did the treasure box get saved unless it was Emiline (I assumed that was a clue)? I've read the author's feelings on the topic and it seems she doesn't know herself, so it really is up for us to decide.

[ee_chick]

I finished March this weekend, and it is my favorite book so far this year. I really, really enjoyed it. It's emotional and gritty and moving. I thought the blurb from the LA Times book review was right on - "A beautifully wrought story about how war dashes ideals, unhinges moral certainties and drives a wedge of bitter experience and unspeakable memories between husband and wife"

Before that was The Usual Rules, which I read for book club. It's a young adult novel about a thirteen year old girl who loses her mother in 9/11. It was much better than I had expected.

I absolutely loved Kite Runner, so I was thrilled when A Thousand Splendid Suns finally made its debut. Honestly, I think my expectations were too high - it's very hard to be captivated like that twice by two stories, especially those who share a setting (in a broad sense). That being said, it is a very good book. It's heart wrenching and powerful. I think you'll find it impossible to read without counting your blessings.

I also read Geraldine Brooks' first novel Year of Wonders a few weeks ago. It's a fictional account of the plague village - a tiny village in England that cut itself of from the outside world when the plague invaded. It was also excellent (and also a bit on the gory side), but I didn't find the story quite as compelling as March.

[kcjaime]

I absolutely loved Kite Runner, so I was thrilled when A Thousand Splendid Suns finally made its debut. Honestly, I think my expectations were too high - it's very hard to be captivated like that twice by two stories, especially those who share a setting (in a broad sense). That being said, it is a very good book. It's heart wrenching and powerful. I think you'll find it impossible to read without counting your blessings.


I picked this book up the day it came out b/c I loved The Kite Runner so much. I started reading it Sunday and finished it first thing Monday night. It was another fantastic book by Khaled Hosseini. I think it was just as excellent as The Kite Runner, but different b/c of the different story. Just like the last book, this one made me cry! It is such gorgeous, eloquent writing and also provides so much insight into cultures and places I know nothing about. I highly recommend it! :)

[BumbleB]

I just started the Kite Runner. :)

I'm also in the middle of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I don't know what it is, but I quite enjoy reading Victor Hugo.

[whos that girl]

"The Fall" by Robert Muchamore...a book for teenage boys that I borrowed from my brother. It's the 7th in a series called CHERUB (I've read the first five and he's lost the 6th) and they are very, very good.

[bookworm]

I finished March this weekend, and it is my favorite book so far this year. I really, really enjoyed it. It's emotional and gritty and moving. I thought the blurb from the LA Times book review was right on - "A beautifully wrought story about how war dashes ideals, unhinges moral certainties and drives a wedge of bitter experience and unspeakable memories between husband and wife"


I really wonder if I missed something, because a friend of mine had a similar reaction to March. I didn't like it at all--I think I had this idea of a hero from Little Women, and really I found Mr. March to be kind of a whiny jackass. But I find moral certainty a bit annoying in general...

I have A Thousand Splendid Suns on "order" at the library, but I think the next month will be re-reading the Harry Potter series in anticipation of the last book :).

[meganth]

I just finished Christopher Moore's A Dirty Job. It was a quirky book and a good read, but i pretty much dreamed about Death standing over me every night!

Not sure what i'm going to read next because checking out my library's website, pretty much everything on my list is checked out. People must be doing a lot of summer reading!

[imagirliegirl]

I just finished The Starter Wife, it was cute. It was a nice mindless read. I'm not watching the show, though, it's so far off of the book.

I think I'm going to grab the book Full Frontal Feminism. I saw the author on the Colbert Report and it looks like it might be an okay read. Anyone read it?

[MaineBelle]

Finished Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I don't know if I'll be rushing out to read anything else by this author. This one was just OK, and I did not like The Mermaid Chair.

I am currently reading Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes. I haven't read any chick lit in a while, so I was in the mood. I like this author because her some books seem to have a little more depth than some chick lit. Although this one is a bit depressing right now, we'll see if it picks up.

Leaving on vacation next week, so bought some books to read

Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris to read for my book club.


Michael Dorris has crafted a fierce saga of three generations of Indian women, beset by hardships and torn by angry secrets, yet inextricably joined by the bonds of kinship. Starting in the present day and moving backward, the novel is told in the voices of the three women: fifteen-year-old part-black Rayona; her American Indian mother, Christine, consumed by tenderness and resentment toward those she loves; and the fierce and mysterious Ida, mother and grandmother whose haunting secrets, betrayals, and dreams echo through the years, braiding together the strands of the shared past.

and Girls by Lori Lansens. This one was on NPRs summer reading list for last year.


Twenty-nine-year-old twins Ruby and Rose Darlen are conjoined at the head and share an essential vein, which makes separation impossible. Born during a freak Canadian tornado and abandoned by their teen mother, the girls were raised by Aunt Lovey, the fiftysomething nurse who delivered them, and Lovey's husband, Uncle Stash. In two wildly distinct voices, Lansens brings to life these surprisingly independent sisters (they have separate jobs at the public library) who couldn't get any closer and yet who have secrets from each other and unexpectedly private interior lives, tempered always by a humor rich in what-can-ya'-do self-deprecation. Rose, the catalyst for getting their story into her laptop, is a natural-born storyteller whose exquisite use of language masks many of the shattering truths that blaze forth in Ruby's reluctant long-hand version. Lansens fills Rose and Ruby's world with loving parents who have stories and secrets of their own and friends found in unlikely places. This novel after Rush Home Road speaks volumes about solitude, loneliness, and enormous personal courage. Highly recommended.

[berry]

I recently read Sweet Edge by Alison Pick and would highly recommend it. It is about a couple that is breaking up and the chapters alternate between following what he is doing and what she is doing.
Sweet Edge Link (http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Edge-Alison-Pick/dp/1551927837)

I loved Friends & Mothers by Louise Limerick about what happens to a group of moms when one of the mom's in the group loses her baby.

http://www.amazon.com/Friends-Mothers-Louise-Limerick/dp/0312355122/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-3288223-3420168?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182543572&sr=1-1

Up for possibly WORST book of the year award was the trite, predictable and not even in a fun or entertaining way -- How Nancy Drew Saved My Life by Lauren Baratz-Logsted. I thought this would be a funny light read for vacation, but it was just very boring and the writing was quite bad.

[sublime311]

Since the beginning of the month, I've read:

Running With Scissors
Dry (also by Augusten Burroughs)
Marley and Me
The Kite Runner

Now, I want to read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

[TracieB]

Just finished Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez. Great book... I highly recommend it!

[sublime311]

Now, I want to read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.
I just finished this. I started yesterday afternoon and couldn't put it down. Fantastic.

[fuzzy]

sublime311 -- did you like Dry? I just finished Running with Scissors, too and was tempted to pick that up as well.

I just finished Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. It was a good plane read.

[EllieInGa]

I picked up Body Surfing by Anita Shreve in the NYC Airport and was finished by the time I landed in Atlanta. GREAT book!

[sublime311]

sublime311 -- did you like Dry? I just finished Running with Scissors, too and was tempted to pick that up as well.

I thought it was great - really funny. It was a different kind of crazy than the first book. I highly recommend it. I just gave it to my mom to read, I'll let you know what she thought - she was really disturbed by Running...

[lawyerlee]

I loved Dry when I read it. His essays in it were really great. It's definitely different than Running with Scissors.

I finished Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver last night. Loved it! All three main characters are strong, self-sufficient, stubborn people who learn a lot about themselves and their relationships with the people in their lives. The human drama is set against a back drop of subtle commentary about the earth and our human relationship with it. I can't recommend it highly enough. This is one of the best, my enjoyable books I've read in ages.

It's finally my turn for a copy of A Thousand Splendid Suns from the library, so I started that tonight. I'm so excited to read it! :D

[imagirliegirl]

I'm reading Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin.


An unexpected love affair threatens a long-lived friendship in this soap opera–like debut from Atlanta ex-lawyer Giffin. Since elementary school, Rachel and Darcy have been best friends, with Darcy always outshining Rachel. While single Rachel is the self-confessed good girl, an attorney trapped at a suffocating New York law firm, Darcy is the complete opposite, a stereotypical outgoing publicist, planning a wedding with the handsome Dex. After Rachel's 30th birthday party, she knocks back one drink too many and winds up in bed with Dex. Instead of feeling guilty about sleeping with her best friend's fiancé, Rachel realizes that Dex is the only man she's really loved, and that she's always resented manipulative Darcy...

I thought it would make a good pre-wedding read. :)

[Rosebud]

I just finished Something Borrowed and enjoyed it. It's a step above your average chick lit, for sure. Really good character work, not a lot of the usual chick lit cliches, a plotline that isn't transparent. Amen to that!

[am_81]

Since I lasted posted in this thread (a month ago!), I finished up Alias Grace (Margaret Atwood) (http://www.amazon.com/Alias-Grace-Novel-Margaret-Atwood/dp/0385490445/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-8688715-6524005?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182878140&sr=1-2) and have read the following:


The Collectors (http://www.amazon.com/Collectors-David-Baldacci/dp/044653109X/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-8688715-6524005?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182878187&sr=1-2) by David Baldacci
Lolita (http://www.amazon.com/Everymans-Library-Classics-Vladimir-Nabokov/dp/185715133X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8688715-6524005?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182878246&sr=1-1) by Vladimir Nabokov
Sex & the City (http://www.amazon.com/Sex-City-Candace-Bushnell/dp/0446617687/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8688715-6524005?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182878302&sr=1-1) by Candace Bushnell
The Archivist (http://www.amazon.com/Archivist-Novel-Martha-Cooley/dp/0316158461/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-8688715-6524005?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182878367&sr=1-2) by Martha Cooley


I ended up being right about Alias Grace; once I got into the actual backstory of Grace, the book became much more interesting and in the end I really enjoyed it. I actually started reading Lolita right afterward, but after reading the first half I had to take a break and pick up something lighter. The subject matter is um, "intense," for lack of a better word and I needed to step away for a little bit. Same thing afterwards . . . . I had already read part of Sex & the City and I knew it owuld be sorta dissapointing (compared to the TV series), but I need something fluffy to recover from Lolita.

Right now I'm re-reading one of my old Danielle Steel books (ah, the memories!) because I was stuck without any new books for a couple days. Yesterday I went out and picked up:


The Memory Keeper's Daughter (http://www.amazon.com/Memory-Keepers-Daughter-Kim-Edwards/dp/0143037145/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8688715-6524005?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182878689&sr=1-1) by Kim Edwards
The Glass Castle (http://www.amazon.com/Glass-Castle-Memoir-Jeannette-Walls/dp/074324754X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8688715-6524005?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182878726&sr=1-1) by Jeannette Walls
Suite Francaise (http://www.amazon.com/Suite-Francaise-Irene-Nemirovsky/dp/1400096278/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8688715-6524005?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182878789&sr=1-1) by Irene Nemirovsky


Not sure which I'm going to start off with . . . .

[EllieInGa]

I just finished Something Borrowed and enjoyed it. It's a step above your average chick lit, for sure. Really good character work, not a lot of the usual chick lit cliches, a plotline that isn't transparent. Amen to that!

I've read both Emily Giffin books and have loved them both! I can't wait for her to come out with something new.

[Rose]

Emily Giffin has a third book out. It came out last year. I can't remember what it is called though. It was good, but not as good as the first two.

ETA It's called Baby Proof

[Katy]

I just finished Frenemies by Megan Crane (http://www.amazon.com/Frenemies-Megan-Crane/dp/0446698555/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-1446319-2418830?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182894653&sr=1-1). I really enjoyed it (and will be interviewing her shortly for CC). Once I got into it, I really couldn't put it down.

Next on the list is Water for Elephant by Sara Gruen (http://www.amazon.com/Water-Elephants-Novel-Sara-Gruen/dp/1565124995) (for bookclub)

I'm hoping to also get some of Emily Giffin's books from the library. I love summer TV - I watch nothing and read everything!

[Amuse Bouche]

I just finished A Big Storm Knocked it Over by Laurie Colwin. One of my favorite writers. This was was not plot-intensive, but I just love her writing.

Also read the Art of Detection by Laurie King. A good read, but not my favorite of King's books by far. I generally prefer her Russell Holmes series, but in the Martinelli series, which this was part of, A Grave Talent was really vastly better.

Another great book I read this spring was the Three Junes, by Julia Glass. I found it incredibly compelling.

[lawyerlee]

Wow, wow, wow! I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, and I'm still trying to catch my breath. It completely knocked the wind out of me in the best way. What a beautiful, yet painful, story. I am in awe of Hosseini's gift with storytelling. These characters were so real to me and their struggles and pain hurt my heart. But ultimately, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and hope radiating from this story. I hope everyone will read this. It would be a shame to miss this story. :)

[meganth]

I just finished Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta.


Hip, smart Milagro de Los Santos is minding her own business at a book party for Sebastian, the ex-boyfriend she's not quite over, when Oswald, a mysterious, handsome stranger approaches her. The chemistry between them is potent, but after they accidentally exchange blood during a powerful kiss, Milagro finds herself feeling strange. Suddenly Sebastian becomes interested in her again, though when he tries to abduct her it's clear he's more interested in her encounter with Oswald than in rekindling their romance. She's rescued by Oswald's cousin, Gabriel, who spirits her off to the family home, where Oswald, his prickly grandmother, Edna, and his other cousin, Sam, take her in for her protection. Although they are vampires, they insist on referring to their state as a "condition," and now they're worried Milagro might also be infected. Sebastian is part of a sinister group determined to investigate the vampires, and Milagro is realizing that her passion for the seductive Oswald is conquering her feelings for Sebastian. A fun, snappy read for romantic fantasy fans.

It's a perfect beach read!

Now i'm on to Pest Control by Bill Fitzhugh. I'm on a quirky story style right now for some reason. It all started with my fave author Jasper Fforde, who thank heaven has a new book coming out this summer!

[Rosebud]

Wow, wow, wow! I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, and I'm still trying to catch my breath. It completely knocked the wind out of me in the best way. What a beautiful, yet painful, story. I am in awe of Hosseini's gift with storytelling. These characters were so real to me and their struggles and pain hurt my heart. But ultimately, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and hope radiating from this story. I hope everyone will read this. It would be a shame to miss this story. :)

I'm so glad to hear that you liked it! I'm only a few chapters in and am loving it so far. Isn't it amazing what a talented writer Hosseini is? The Kite Runner just floored me and this book looks like it'll be awesome, as well.

[sublime311]

Wow, wow, wow! I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, and I'm still trying to catch my breath. It completely knocked the wind out of me in the best way. What a beautiful, yet painful, story. I am in awe of Hosseini's gift with storytelling. These characters were so real to me and their struggles and pain hurt my heart. But ultimately, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and hope radiating from this story. I hope everyone will read this. It would be a shame to miss this story. :)
Word!

I really need to join a book club. I have such a hard time expressing how I feel about a piece of literature. You said exactly how I feel about it. Thanks!

[imagirliegirl]

I just finished Something Borrowed. It only took me a day and a half so it was a nice, quick read. I enjoyed it and it had a nice little plot twist. I'm going to read Something Blue on the plane tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it.

[HeatherFL]

Just finished American Theocracy by Kevin Phillips. Bought Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand in the airport yesterday, and ordered God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens and Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson. Looking forward to finishing them!

~H.

[nettreefrog]

One of the blogs I read (unplugyourkids.blogspot.com) was talking about a book called The Dangerous Book for Boys. If I had extra time right now, I would pick it up!

[mgrace]

I love your user pic lawyerlee!

[MaineBelle]

I just finished Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes. I didn't care for it. I think part of the problem is that I wanted a book that was fun and lighthearted and this one was just a bit too depressing for me. So, it was probably an OK book, but just not what I was in the mood for.

[Holls]

I'm starting the last of the Sophie Kinsella Shopaholic series... Shopaholic and Baby. If anyone was wanting to buy this one it's listed as $26, but Target has it for $13 :)

[am_81]

Wow . . . I started reading The Glass Castle (Jeannette Walls) (http://www.amazon.com/Glass-Castle-Memoir-Jeannette-Walls/dp/074324754X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8688715-6524005?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182878726&sr=1-1) on Tuesday afternoon and finished it up last night. I spent a good chunk of yesterday afternoon at the beach and completely blew through the book. I was afraid it wasnt going to live up to all the hype, but I'm glad I bought it anyway. I would definitely reccommend it to anyone who hasnt read it yet.

Just started The Memory Keeper's Daughter (Kim Edwards) (http://www.amazon.com/Memory-Keepers-Daughter-Kim-Edwards/dp/0143037145/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8688715-6524005?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182878689&sr=1-1) over lunch . . . . so far, so good.

[EllieInGa]

I just read Anita Shreve's All He Ever Wanted. It was ok, but not one I would really recommend. It was soooo slow!

[Rosebud]

Wow, wow, wow! I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, and I'm still trying to catch my breath. It completely knocked the wind out of me in the best way. What a beautiful, yet painful, story. I am in awe of Hosseini's gift with storytelling. These characters were so real to me and their struggles and pain hurt my heart. But ultimately, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and hope radiating from this story. I hope everyone will read this. It would be a shame to miss this story. :)

Giving this post a big DITTO. I finished A Thousand Splendid Suns last night and was just blown away by it. It's a wonderful, powerful book.

Don't miss this one-- it's an excellent read!

[Amuse Bouche]

I'm almost finished with Country Life by Rachel Cusk. It's not at all what I expected -- I thought it would be much more chick lit, but it's quite literary. Reminds me most of Cold Comfort Farm of all the books I've read.

[ginastorm]

I finished "The Same Sweet Girls" the other day and loved it. It's about a group of Southern women that met in college and their friendship through the years. I loved it and really enjoyed that Cassandra King used real small towns in Alabama as part of the story.

[bookworm]

I just finished my Harry Potter series re-read (and finished a bit ahead of schedule...but close enough that it should all be fresh in 3 weeks :) ), and am about to pick up "The Bitch in the House" which appears to be a collection of essays by women on a bunch of topics. Not my usual reading material, but I think I'm trying to atone for having read "Shopaholic and Baby." I still feel dirty from reading that. And yet, if there is (yet) another one in the series, I suspect I'll read that as well. Sigh.

Meanwhile, "The Glass Castle" is sitting on my shelf making me feel guilty. Anyone want to persuade me to read it? I hated "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" and although I know this is a different book, I think they were next to each other in the store so I'm mentally associating them :o.

[am_81]

Meanwhile, "The Glass Castle" is sitting on my shelf making me feel guilty. Anyone want to persuade me to read it? I hated "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" and although I know this is a different book, I think they were next to each other in the store so I'm mentally associating them :o.

Read it!! I promise you wont regret it! Its been a couple of days since I finished it up, but I'm still thinking about it. The family's story is more than a little depressing and the parents (especially the dad) downright angered me at times, but its totally worth the read.

Uh oh . . . you hated The Memory Keeper's Daughter? I've read several mixed reviews, but I'm reading it right now anyway. Would explaining why you didnt like it give away any of the story (I'm less than 100 pages so far)? Anyone else have opinions on it?

[Rosebud]

Meanwhile, "The Glass Castle" is sitting on my shelf making me feel guilty. Anyone want to persuade me to read it? I hated "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" and although I know this is a different book, I think they were next to each other in the store so I'm mentally associating them :o.

Definitely read The Glass Castle. That was one of the very best books I read last year. It's not warm and fuzzy, but it's so well-written and memorable. It stayed with me for ages afterward.

Why did you dislike The Memory Keeper's Daughter? Just curious. I've actually been wanting to chat with someone about that book since I finished it.


Uh oh . . . you hated The Memory Keeper's Daughter? I've read several mixed reviews, but I'm reading it right now anyway. Would explaining why you didnt like it give away any of the story (I'm less than 100 pages so far)? Anyone else have opinions on it?

I liked it. I did have some problems with it (mostly related to writing style and a few plot lines that needed more attention), but in the end I thought it was pretty interesting. If you've already started, I'd definitely say continue on. I'll be curious to hear what you think of it.

[claire]

Reading "The Space Between Us" by Thrity Umrigar - so far it's got me hooked. It's set in India, a totally different culture and way of life, yet the characters feel so real you can almost touch them.

[claire]

I just finished A Big Storm Knocked it Over by Laurie Colwin. One of my favorite writers. This was was not plot-intensive, but I just love her writing.


I'm re-reading this one right now! Slowly... it's one of the 5 books in the pile on my side of the bed ;-) You're right about the plot, it's not exactly gripping, but the characters are wonderful. She is one of my favorite authors too.

[bookworm]

am_81, don't worry--I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority on MKD.

Now that I think about it, "hate" may have been a strong word, maybe because my expectations were too high. The short version of why I didn't like it is that I found it tedious. I don't think the next bit is a spoiler, but I'll put it in white just in case... I didn't find the characters compelling (with the exception of the daughter, and she didn't have a lot to say). I also didn't think the author did a good job exploring the consequences of the father's action, beyond taking a long time to paint the "unhappy ever after" picture. Since there wasn't much of a "before" to the story, there wasn't a dramatic conflict between before the event and after. We didn't have a lot of info on the characters to think about how their lives might have been different, and what the implications were.

But ok, I'll pick up Glass Castle :).

[imagirliegirl]

You should definitely read The Glass Castle. It is very interesting.

I just finished Something Blue and it was cute. I was pleased with how the story ended.

Next I am going to read The Abortionist's Daughter. It was on the get 3 for the price of 2 table so I picked it up. It looks like it could be interesting. It has mixed reviews on Borders' website but I'm going to read it anyway.

[Myra]

Meanwhile, "The Glass Castle" is sitting on my shelf making me feel guilty. Anyone want to persuade me to read it? I hated "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" and although I know this is a different book, I think they were next to each other in the store so I'm mentally associating them :o.

I think I'm the only one on CC who didn't like the The Glass Castle. The writing is good, but it was very easy to put down. I also found Memory Keeper's Daughter very boring.

Recently loved Three Junes and Breath, Eyes, Memory. Still reading A Prayer for the City and just started Never Let Me Go. I can't wait to start A Thousand Splendid Suns!

[TracieB]

Okay, just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns. Wow. What a book. I was sobbing. Hosseini is such a good writer. I HIGHLY recommend it!!!!

[sublime311]

I just finished The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I enjoyed it - it wasn't fabulous, but it was enjoyable. I had no problem putting it down between reads, but I was happy to pick it up again. I particularly enjoyed the vividness of Kidd's words - I could picture what I read.

Next, I plan to reread Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to prepare for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on July 21st!

[Amuse Bouche]

Myra -- you're not the only one who didn't like the Glass Castle. We read it in book club and opinion was pretty divided.

[imagirliegirl]

Myra -- you're not the only one who didn't like the Glass Castle. We read it in book club and opinion was pretty divided.

I don't know if I so much liked it. The story was pretty weird and bothersome. But I did appreciate the perspective and that it was well written.

I finished The Abortionist's Daughter. I found it to be a tad predictable but still an okay book. Only took two days to read it so it was a quick read.

I found The Memory Keeper's Daughter in a drawer this morning so I'm going to read it. I bought it ages ago and completely forgot I had it. Saved me a trip to Borders this morning.

[am_81]

Okay . . . I'm now less than 150 pages till the end of The Memory Keeper's Daughter and I think understand where everyone's opinions are coming from. I'll reserve final judgement till I finish though . . .

[Katy]

I think I'm the only one on CC who didn't like the The Glass Castle. Nope, I didn't like it much. While I thought her life was fascinating, I just couldn't get into the book.

I just finished our next book club read, Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen. It's definitely not something I ever would have picked up for myself, but I really liked it. Sadly, I'll be out of town for our book club, so I won't be able to discuss it with everyone.

I just started Julie & Julia (another BC read, but I'm reading it way ahead of schedule). I also have four books on hold at the library for me. And of course, numerous books on the nightstand as well :rolleyes: Luckily, I walked out of B&N the other day without picking up anything new!!

[melnv]

I just finished The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai. It was honestly one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. There were so many times where I had to read a passage outloud just to hear the words.

Has anyone else read this? I also read The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue. I liked it, but my sister thought it was horrible and skipped through parts so it was pointless trying to discuss it with her.

[bookworm]

Well, I haven't picked up The Glass Castle because my mom offered me her copy of A Thousand Splendid Suns (before she had even read it...what a mom :) ). I just finished that, and wow, it was hard to read (as was The Kite Runner), but really worth it. I was talking to a friend when I was about 1/2 way through and said that I liked it, but it wasn't nearly as compelling as KR. Then right after that, it changed and I had to take a long lunch break today so I could finish it because putting it down didn't seem like a good option.

[amberfiddles]

i loved the other boleyn girl, but wasn't impressed with the constant princess. i just finished the queen's fool and i liked that one. which other PG books are good?

i just started reading the meaning of everything at lunch today. very interesting thus far.

[Ohana]

What took me so long to find this thread? I just joined a book swap, and I'm on the hunt for new books to read. This thread has given me a lot of books to add to my list! I just finished September by Rosamunde Pilcher and Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. Both were re-reads for me, and I enjoyed them. Right now, I'm reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Outlander is taking a while to get moving, but so many people raved about it that I'm determined to plug along.

Amberfiddles I didn't care for The Constant Princess much, either. The Queen's Fool was a better read.

[bookworm]

i loved the other boleyn girl, but wasn't impressed with the constant princess. i just finished the queen's fool and i liked that one. which other PG books are good?



I think you've read the best ones (The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool). The one about the gardener wasn't bad, but I'm blanking on the name. The Virgin's Lover was among the worst books I've read (and I read crap), and the Wideacre series started out well but quickly turned Flowers in the Attic dirty. Blech.

[Rosebud]

i loved the other boleyn girl, but wasn't impressed with the constant princess. i just finished the queen's fool and i liked that one. which other PG books are good?

I really liked The Other Boleyn Girl but hated The Boleyn Inheritance. Very badly written. Can't recommend that one. Mmmm... maybe The Other Boleyn Girl was a fluke?

[Amuse Bouche]

I liked The Other Boleyn Girl and the Virgin's Lover, but TOBG was much better. Still, if you liked TOBG it's worth giving the Virgin's Lover a try.

I'm reading Man of My Dreams by Curtis Sittenfeld. Not nearly as good as Prep, but readable.

[bookworm]

Thanks to those who nagged me into picking up The Glass Castle. I started it last night and finished it today during lunch. It was sickening yet touching, and well written.

Now, however, I'm going to read something nice and fluffy. I need a break (read both this and A Thousand Splendid Suns this week). I think I have a trashy romance in my library pile, and that is going to have to be next on the list.

[whos that girl]

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton

While I'm not a fan of the later half of the series, the first half is divine and the first book, Guilty Pleasures, arguably one of her very best. Anita Blake is a kick-ass necromancer and Hamilton has mastered the paranormal genre. She really has created a world that you can imagine to be real.

[LeslieR]

I just finished Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes. I didn't care for it. I think part of the problem is that I wanted a book that was fun and lighthearted and this one was just a bit too depressing for me. So, it was probably an OK book, but just not what I was in the mood for.

Really? Ugh, I just put this on hold at the library. I thought it would be a nice light read after what I'm reading now (Lucky by Alice Sebold). Darn.

[claire]

Really? Ugh, I just put this on hold at the library. I thought it would be a nice light read after what I'm reading now (Lucky by Alice Sebold). Darn.

It's a great book, but definitely NOT light. Well, it has light moments and made me laugh quite a few times, the ending is hopeful and uplifting, but there are some deep dark places in the middle. Consider yourself warned. ;)

[Katy]

I just finished Lisa Jewell's Ralph's Party yesterday. I started it briefly the other day, but pretty much finished the entire book yesterday. Guess I just needed to sit in front of the fans and read :cool:

I was hoping to start Something Borrowed, but for some reason, that library request didn't go through yet, so it didn't come in with my other two Emily Giffins. Sadly, I don't think the library is open today, so I can either suck it up and wait until tomorrow, start reading something new from the bedside pile, or move on with Julie & Julia. Not sure which just yet.

[kd 9.21.02]

I don't really know why but I felt compelled to read this because of all the press Tina Brown is getting for it here in New York.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41u%2BDTq-0mL._AA240_.jpg

I'm not loving Tina's tone at all. She puts herself and her opinions/assumptions/judgements into the story way too much for my taste. But it's an OK summer read and I'm somewhat interested so whatever - I'll finish it.

[am_81]

Okay . . . I'm now less than 150 pages till the end of The Memory Keeper's Daughter and I think understand where everyone's opinions are coming from. I'll reserve final judgement till I finish though . . .

I finished this book the same day I last posted, but I dont think I've quite made up my mind about this one yet. I will go ahead and agree though, with whoever (cant remember right now) said that this was a tedious read. I actually found myself speed-reading through some of the sections about the doctor and his family; I just found the storyline about the nurse so much more interesting. That being said, I never felt like I really *knew* the characters. There were so many interesting places the author couldve gone with the story, so much more information that couldve been presented, and some parts just seemed kind of half-assed. Which is surprising considering the length of the book.

Also, I feel a little bad saying this, but I didnt particularly care for the wife. I mean, I felt bad about what happened to her, but I couldnt ever really . . . I dont know. Something about her just kind of rubbed me the wrong way.

Despite all that, the book wasnt too horrible . . . it just doesnt seem like it lived up to its potential.

[JamBray]

I just finished The Poisonwood Bible and loved it. Now I'm on the last book in the Outlander series, A Breath of Snow and Ashes.

[sdianems]

I just finished The Poisonwood Bible and loved it. Now I'm on the last book in the Outlander series, A Breath of Snow and Ashes.

Oooh...love the Outlander Series and would be curious to hear what you think of this one (I have no idea when I will get to it)!

Recently I started LL Bean, The Making of an American Icon which I am enjoying quite a bit; written by his grandson who worked in the store in Maine upon leaving the military.

I just finished Managing Up by Badowski who worked as Executive Assistant to Jack Welch at GE for a number of years. Hated it! Super boring and she offered no insight whatsoever into dealing with difficult bosses. Actually, the only "advice" she really gave was to hint that the way to get along with your boss was to work 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, etc. Of course, if I was getting paid what I can only imagine she was, maybe I would be inclined to put in those kinds of hours, too....:rolleyes:

[LeslieR]

Thanks Claire! I love the Walsh sisters, so I was worried that this was different than the other books. Watermelon was by far my favorite.

JamBray, I finished A Breath Of Snow And Ashes last week. I'm curious to hear what you think, too. There's a thread for it that I posted in when I was done, but it hasn't gotten any traffic since. All Outlander fans must be over it already. lol

[imagirliegirl]

I finished this book the same day I last posted, but I dont think I've quite made up my mind about this one yet. I will go ahead and agree though, with whoever (cant remember right now) said that this was a tedious read. I actually found myself speed-reading through some of the sections about the doctor and his family; I just found the storyline about the nurse so much more interesting. That being said, I never felt like I really *knew* the characters. There were so many interesting places the author couldve gone with the story, so much more information that couldve been presented, and some parts just seemed kind of half-assed. Which is surprising considering the length of the book.

Also, I feel a little bad saying this, but I didnt particularly care for the wife. I mean, I felt bad about what happened to her, but I couldnt ever really . . . I dont know. Something about her just kind of rubbed me the wrong way.

Despite all that, the book wasnt too horrible . . . it just doesnt seem like it lived up to its potential.

I was just coming in to give my thoughts on this book and you totally took the words out of my mouth. I also skipped through several sections about the doctor and his family. They were just tedious and boring. I never really felt a connection to any characters but Caroline and Phoebe.

This story really did have a lot of potential and could have been really interesting. I definitely felt a little let down. I don't think it was a total waste of time but I don't know if I'd recommend it. I guess I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it.

[LeslieR]

I finished Lucky by Alice Sebold last night. It was just okay. I liked The Lovely Bones much better. I know it was a true story, though, and not something I could relate to as I've never gone through what she went through.

Any Anita Shreve fans out there? I picked up a few of her books at a library book sale. I've never read her before, so I can't decide which one to start with. I have The Pilot's Wife, A Wedding In December, and Sea Glass. Which one do you recommend first?

I also have Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier checked out from the library. It had been on my list for a while, but I can't remember who recommended it to me. All the reviews on amazon.com are really good, so maybe that's why it was on my list? Who knows. Anyone ever read it?

[Alanna]

rebbecca is a great novel! its so suspenseful and creepy! I read it for the first time when i was in highschool ... and have read it a few times since..... (the movie with Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier is really good too... but read the book first!)

I love love love Daphne DuMaurier - i went on a kick a few years ago and read everything she wrote...

my other favorite by her is Jamaica Inn

Definitely read Rebecca--- think you will enjoy it!

[kd 9.21.02]

I loved Rebecca as well. It's a classic must read.

[imagirliegirl]

I'm starting The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult today. I have really loved some of her books and some are just eh. So we'll see how this one goes.

[LeslieR]

Cool! Thanks ladies! I'm going to start it today.:)

imagirliegirl, I've read all of JP's books. The Tenth Circle was just okay for me. I love her books, but the problem I always face is that they are really good page-turners and then the endings are too quick and pretty much a let down. I feel like I liked her older books better than her newer books.

[vwinkel]

I'm currently reading: One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd: A Novel by Jim Fergus. I can't quite put my finger on what I dislike so far about the writing. It's almost as if I can tell it's writing and not a story? However, I am enjoying it so far (they haven't met the indians yet).

JamBray - The Poisonwood Bible is one of my favorites. The story has stayed with me even though I read it many years ago. I often pause while standing in a grocery store and am thankful.

LeslieR - I am an Anita Shreve fan and also a hater. :) I loved the Pilot's Wife and recommend you start with that one. I wasn't thrilled with Sea Glass and haven't started A Wedding in December yet. Despite the fact that I don't care for some of her storylines, I do love her phrasing and writing.

[JamBray]

Oooh...love the Outlander Series and would be curious to hear what you think of this one (I have no idea when I will get to it)!





JamBray, I finished A Breath Of Snow And Ashes last week. I'm curious to hear what you think, too. There's a thread for it that I posted in when I was done, but it hasn't gotten any traffic since. All Outlander fans must be over it already. lol
I'll definitely let you both know what I think of the book, but so far, so good. I did see your thread Leslie, and was tempted to read it, but forced myself to wait. ;)

JamBray - The Poisonwood Bible is one of my favorites. The story has stayed with me even though I read it many years ago. I often pause while standing in a grocery store and am thankful.

I know what you mean, and can see myself reading this many times. Just an amazing and wonderfully written story.

Have you read her other stuff? Anything you can recommend, or are they all good?

[bookworm]

LeslieR - I am an Anita Shreve fan and also a hater. :) I loved the Pilot's Wife and recommend you start with that one. I wasn't thrilled with Sea Glass and haven't started A Wedding in December yet. Despite the fact that I don't care for some of her storylines, I do love her phrasing and writing.

Funny, I agree with the first and last sentences but have the opposite take on the rest :). The Pilot's Wife was too Oprah book for me, but I really liked Sea Glass. I also read another one that I can't remember at all... something about winter, maybe?

[MaineBelle]

Wow- this thread really picks up in the summertime!

Re The Memory Keeper's Daughter

I read this book a little while ago and didn't care for the characters either. I've never lost a child, so I can't understand the emotions that go with. But at the time of reading it I was having trouble TTC. So from my point of view, I wanted to tell the wife to be grateful for what she had instead of spending her life lamenting what happened.

[pixielou]

re: barbara kingsolver
though i *loved* The Poisonwood Bible, I really think I enjoyed Prodigal Summer more. I've also read The Bean Trees and the sequel to that - titled something like When Pigs Fly or Pigs in the Sky. They were ok - i'm glad i read them, but they just didn't measure up to the poisonwood bible or pordigal summer. i'm waiting to get her latest book, Animal Vegetable Mineral.

I've recently discovered Elin Hildebrandt. Loved loved loved her novel, "The Blue Bistro", and have thoroughly enjoyed all her others.

I've started in on the Number One Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. I've read the first 2, and starting the 3rd. I'm finding them quite enjoyable. Nice quick summer reads.

Lastly, I'm kinda late to the game, but I *finally* read The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks. Can't believe a guy can write like that. I then read "The Notebook". Any other Sparks recomendations?

~pixie

[Alanna]

I've started in on the Number One Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. I've read the first 2, and starting the 3rd. I'm finding them quite enjoyable. Nice quick summer reads.


I'm reading the 3rd one of these too (should finish today....) I *heart* them... its so nice to have a nice gentle book to read...

[LeslieR]

pixie, I've read and own all of the NS books. I enjoyed them all in one way or another. The Notebook was my favorite, though. My BFF's fave is A Walk To Remember. It was made into a movie; the book was much better. Nights In Rodanthe is being made into a movie, too. It's a very, very quick read. And a tearjerker if IIRC (I only read it the one time).

[LeslieR]

Oops, forgot to say that I started Rebecca last night and I'm having a hard time getting into it. I'm assuming it picks up soon?

[Alioop12345]

I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini , which I loved. I have not read The Kite Runner yet but I am going to check it out from the library.

I also just finished reading Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult. I really enjoyed this book and was surprised. I didn't realize that it was really about faith and religion when I bought it and when I started to read it, I was turned off a little because religion isn't really something I get into and discuss much. I loved this book...to me....It just proved that it doesn't matter what religion you practice, it's the faith that's important...

Anyway, I loved them both!

[JamBray]

re: barbara kingsolver
though i *loved* The Poisonwood Bible, I really think I enjoyed Prodigal Summer more. I've also read The Bean Trees and the sequel to that - titled something like When Pigs Fly or Pigs in the Sky. They were ok - i'm glad i read them, but they just didn't measure up to the poisonwood bible or pordigal summer. i'm waiting to get her latest book, Animal Vegetable Mineral.

Great! Thanks for the reviews pixie. I think I'll scout the local used bookstore this week to see if I can find any of these reads.

[JoyfulGirl]

Oops, forgot to say that I started Rebecca last night and I'm having a hard time getting into it. I'm assuming it picks up soon?

I personally think it gets waaaay more exciting...:) Can't tell any more without spoiling it, probably. It is one of my favorites. Funny fact - I always get hungry reading that book, they are always talking about really terrific sounding food. I end up wanting to have tea time every day and eat scones dripping with butter.

I hope you like it! I reread it every so often, it never loses the charm for me.

JoyfulGirl
:D

[BumbleB]

My favorite Sparks book is The Wedding - I think it is far better than The Notebook. The only recent one of his I've read is Dear John...it was pretty good.

I loved the Poisonwood Bible, but haven't had a strong desire to read any of her others yet.

I am currently reading Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen, not that far into it yet.

[mrsk]

I just finished Size 14 is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot. When I picked up the book I didn't even realize that she wrote the Princess Diaries books. This book is definitely geared toward older readers.

It was a nice light, quick read. It's a fun little murder/mystery which is not the type of book I usually pick up. I think it would be a great vacation read.

I think I'm going to go back and read the prequel Size 12 is Not Fat.

[Katy]

Bumble, stick with Water for Elephants. It was a book club read for me, so totally not something I'd have picked up on my own. I found it a bit slow going, but I loved it!

I just finished Something Borrowed. I really liked it. It wasn't nearly as light and fluffy as I'd have expected. And the ending, I really didn't see it coming at all. I have Something Blue ready to go, but since it's a library hardback I'm not going to bring it on vacation with me so it will just have to wait.

[ausi2b]

Ooh Katy - I loved Something Blue SO much more than Something Borrowed. Are you SURE you don't have room for it? ;)

[Katy]

Ooh Katy - I loved Something Blue SO much more than Something Borrowed. Are you SURE you don't have room for it? ;)So funny you should say that, I was just now thinking that I'd really, really like to start it. Maybe I'll just bring it anyway (or maybe I'll do a quick run to the bookstore and cash in a giftcard for a PB version). It's Darcy's turn to tell the story, right?

[ausi2b]

Yup. I actually didn't like Something Borrowed - it left a bad taste in my mouth. But I bought it at the same time as Something Blue and read it immediately afterwards. I liked both SO much better after finishing the second book. It is a great vacation read too. Hmmm ... I wish I had more time to read - I'd reread it this summer in a heartbeat!

[imagirliegirl]

I finished The Tenth Circle the other day. It wasn't my favorite Jodi Picoult book but it was still pretty good. I actually read it in one day because I wanted to see how it ended and didn't want to have to wait.

[imagirliegirl]

I picked up Jodi Picoult's Keeping Faith today. I really wanted Perfect Match but they didn't have it. I've read good things about this one. I have 4 hours of nothing at work tomorrow so I should get a lot of reading done. :)

[LeslieR]

So, I finished Rebecca last night. I think the reviews ruined it for me. I was so psyched for a really good read and it fell short for me. Sorry girls!

After Rebecca, I started Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand. I'm barely into it, so I can't comment yet. I have Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes and SAHM I Am by Meredith Efken on hold at the library. Looking forward to both of those!

imagirliegirl, Keeping Faith was the first JP book I read. It completely turned me onto her books.

[Adaya]

I'm in the middle of The Golden Road: Notes on My Gentrification by Caille Millner.

[BumbleB]

Bumble, stick with Water for Elephants. It was a book club read for me, so totally not something I'd have picked up on my own. I found it a bit slow going, but I loved it!


Thanks - actually I was just stating that I had just started it and hadn't read much of it yet, so couldn't say weather I liked it or not. ;)
I've now read most of it (only about 60 pages left) and I absolutely LOVE it, but I'm not surprised by that - It is very much my kind of book. :D

Up next Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - YAHOOO!

[imagirliegirl]

I just finished Keeping Faith and it was really good! I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I wasn't sure about the whole religious aspect of it but it was written really well. I love Jodi Picoult. I want to get Perfect Match next.

I also want to pick up Dante's Inferno after reading the Tenth Circle. It referenced it quite a bit and seems really interesting.

[Katy]

I finished up Something Blue while on the plane. I'm glad that ausi2b suggested that I bring it with me. I have to say though, I really didn't enjoy Darcy's story nearly as much as Rachael's. I think I just didn't like Darcy as much as a character. It also didn't help that I saw everything coming so early on. In Something Borrowed, all the plot twists were pretty unexpected.

I just started Baby Proof yesterday. As a child-free couple, I'm very interested to see where this goes.

[imagirliegirl]

I finished up Something Blue while on the plane. I'm glad that ausi2b suggested that I bring it with me. I have to say though, I really didn't enjoy Darcy's story nearly as much as Rachael's. I think I just didn't like Darcy as much as a character. It also didn't help that I saw everything coming so early on. In Something Borrowed, all the plot twists were pretty unexpected.


I'm glad I wasn't the only one! I like Borrowed so much better. Thought Blue was a little predictable. I also think I liked Rachael more.

I was looking in a box and realized I received Jodi Picoult's Secong Glance and never read it. So I am now! I don't know if I'm going to like it but I'll finish it anyway.

[ausi2b]

Katy - I'm glad you were happy that you took it with you, but I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it as much. I guess I just felt that I liked the character progression (or 180 degree change) in the character. I was surprised with how I felt differently about her in the 2nd book.

I just finished The Pact by Jodi Picoult. Gripping read, but I think I need to re-read the ending again. I have a bad habit of trying to guess the endings of her books, and I often like my endings better than hers.

Coworkers just gave me 3 more of Jodi Picoult's books - Salem Falls, Picture Perfect, and Plain Truth - have you all read any of these? Any suggestions on what I should read first?

On my list to read next: The Number One Ladies Detective Agency, the Namesake, Water for Elephants, Prodigal Summer, Bel Canto, and the next book by the guy that wrote the Kite Runner. I get VERY little time to read b/c of DS lately, but I'm trying to make it a priority in my life to read a little bit everyday!

[imagirliegirl]

Coworkers just gave me 3 more of Jodi Picoult's books - Salem Falls, Picture Perfect, and Plain Truth - have you all read any of these? Any suggestions on what I should read first?


I've read Plain Truth and I thought it was really good.

[EmilyZA]

I've read all three of those Jodi Picoult books, and I liked Picture Perfect the least.

[Katy]

a lot of you seem lo love Jodi Picoult and I've seen her stuff around. But I wonder, what's the style of her books? Is she mystery? adventure? romance? I'm interested in checking her out, but I'm just wondering.

[ausi2b]

Katy - they aren't exactly chick lit (I find them to be more deep) but it isn't classic literature either. I find the books to tackle a tricky subject (organ donation, school shootings, kidnapping, etc.) and she shows the story from ALL sides and makes you see the story from every person's eyes. I find them all pretty gripping - but some are better than others. They are very easy reads (I read them very quickly they are hard to put down) and she always usually throws in a surprising twist in there. I recommend them - and we can all tell you our favorites or what to start with.

[imagirliegirl]

Katy - they aren't exactly chick lit (I find them to be more deep) but it isn't classic literature either. I find the books to tackle a tricky subject (organ donation, school shootings, kidnapping, etc.) and she shows the story from ALL sides and makes you see the story from every person's eyes. I find them all pretty gripping - but some are better than others. They are very easy reads (I read them very quickly they are hard to put down) and she always usually throws in a surprising twist in there. I recommend them - and we can all tell you our favorites or what to start with.

Great explanation!

I think my personal favorite was My Sister's Keeper. It was the first Picoult book I read and (I think) the best. I also really enjoyed Nineteen Minutes, Plain Truth and Keeping Faith. I've read several others as well. I will say none of her books are bad, it's more levels of good. Ausi is right, they are all pretty quick reads. I don't think I've ever taken more than 3 days on one of her books, mainly because I can't wait to find out how it ends. I really enjoy how in each book she writes from the perspective of several of the characters. It makes for an interesting read. I also really enjoy how the endings are never boring or predictable. I'd say she's one of my favorite authors right now and I plan to read all of her books.

[MsPeachy]

I finally got to read Hood (http://www.amazon.com/Hood-King-Raven-Trilogy-Book/dp/1595540857/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-8480264-8176104?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185015994&sr=8-2)by Stephen R Lawhead and it was really good. Unfortunately, it's just the beginning of the story and I want more! I'm going to check out his other books from the library while I wait for the next installment in the King Raven series.

Currently in the middle of The Dragon & The Unicorn (http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Unicorn-Attanasio/dp/0061057797/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-8480264-8176104?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185016065&sr=1-2)by A. A. Attanasio based on a rec from this thread. It's good but was a bit difficult to get into. I thnk that's because the writing is more advanced and I was trying to read it at the beach. Not a beach read, but a good book especially if you're into fantasy or King Arthur.

[LeslieR]

Katy, I've read all of JP's books. I wouldn't classify them as chick lit at all. More mysteries than anything else, but there is sometimes romance as well. I enjoy the books while I'm reading them-total page turners. It's the endings I sometimes have trouble with. There's (almost) always a lawyer and a courtroom. Some of the characters show up in other books. You don't need to read her books in order, but if you do, you will recognize some of the characters. Also, she has a new book out pretty much every year. If you go to her web site (http://www.jodipicoult.com) and click on Books, you can see them in order.

My two very least favorite book of hers are Second Glance and Mercy. It was a huge effort to finish both of these books.

I do seem to like her older books more than her newer ones. I didn't like the last three as much as others and these were probably the ones I had the biggest problems with the endings.

I loved Salem Falls and Perfect Match. I read both of these during a trip to Newport, RI in the fall. And they really stayed with me. I couldn't wait to finish both of them.

[imagirliegirl]

Oh yeah! I totally forgot about Mercy. I know I read it but don't remember much. Was that the guy with the sick wife? Must not have been that good. :)

[LeslieR]

Oh yeah! I totally forgot about Mercy. I know I read it but don't remember much. Was that the guy with the sick wife? Must not have been that good. :)

Yep, exactly!

I finally finished Barefoot today. It was just eh. I don't think I'll seek out any more of her books. I didn't get to the library to pick up the books I have on hold, so I think I'm going to start a book I have here at the house. Either an Anita Shreve or The Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes-Rodgriguez. Anyone read that one? I could use a light read. I found out the next book for the book club I'm in is The Kite Runner which I'm assuming is another heavy read? I have to put it on hold at the library-hopefully they have this one. Last month's book was The Other Boleyn Girl which was out the entire month, so I never got to read it in time for the discussion.:(

[bookworm]

LeslieR, Dirty Girls Social Club was a more "fun" read than any of the Anita Shreve books I've read. I wouldn't say it's better, but more of a brain break. Calling The Kite Runner heavy may be an understatement :), but it's worth it.

[Myra]

Either an Anita Shreve or The Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes-Rodgriguez. Anyone read that one? I could use a light read. I found out the next book for the book club I'm in is The Kite Runner which I'm assuming is another heavy read? I have to put it on hold at the library-hopefully they have this one. Last month's book was The Other Boleyn Girl which was out the entire month, so I never got to read it in time for the discussion.:(
I like a light read as much as anyone, but I thought Social Club was terrible. It's been several years so I don't remember much about why I hated it so much, but I suspect it had to do with the lack of reality (poem-writing drug dealer, anyone?). Kite Runner is heavy, but hard to put down.

[Alanna]

What am i reading? Harry Potter #7 ! :D

[Katy]

I like a light read as much as anyone, but I thought Social Club was terrible. It's been several years so I don't remember much about why I hated it so much, but I suspect it had to do with the lack of reality (poem-writing drug dealer, anyone?). I agree with this. I borrowed it from Mobox a month or so ago and really just didn't like it. I can't really put my finger on anything specific though.

[imagirliegirl]

I was reading Second Glance but it was slow going. I think I'll hold off on that one. The book store finally had Perfect Match so I'm moving on to that. :D

[TracieB]

I'm currently reading Second Chance by Jane Green. So far it's been excellent. Highly recommended!

[mgrace]

I like a light read as much as anyone, but I thought Social Club was terrible.
I read part of it quite a while ago and hated it, too. Just not a good book.

I just started The Secret Life of Bees, because a co-worker urged me to read it (and lent it to me). Only read about 3 pages, so we shall see!

[LeslieR]

Yeah, I'm having a hard time finishing it. I really dislike most of the characters.

I loved, loved, loved The Secret Life of Bees. Such a great book. I have her next one The Mermaid Chair on my list.

[Ohana]

I'm reading My Sister's Keeper right now, and I'm just not feeling the love. What am I missing? I'm pissed at the mom for being so single minded, and at the dad for being such a wuss. I'm finishing it because everyone raves about what a good book it is, but I have to admit, I can't wait for it to end.

I'm also reading Harry Potter (natch) and Outlander. Both are great. I wish I could call in sick for a week so I could read finish them both (and get going on the rest of the Outlander series).

[claire]

What am i reading? Harry Potter #7 ! :D

Me too! So far so good... I'm paranoid about running across spoilers so I'm trying to stay off the Internet - as you can see, it's impossible ;)

[TracieB]

Finished Second Chance last night. I really liked it. Jane Green has a tendency to make "chick lit" books a little deeper than the norm and I like that about her. I highly recommend this book!

[lawyerlee]

I just finished Sammy's House by Kristin Gore, the sequel to Sammy's Hill. While I enjoyed the story, she made a big mistake at the end of the book about the law that ruined the ending for me. I was bummed. :(

Now I'm reading Suite Francais by Irene Nemirovsky. I've been dying to read this, so I'm thrilled to finally get to it. It's wonderful so far.

[Katy]

I finished Emily Giffin's Baby Proof the other day. As a child-free gal, I could definitely relate to her. I could also relate to her friends and her family. I can't say that I was 100% behind the ending though. I still say that Something Borrowed was the better, more complex and well written, of the three). But hey, it's chicklit so all I ask is that I'm entertained - LOL

I also finished Angel's Fall by Nora Roberts. It's been a little over a year since I've picked up any of her books. While the format and basic plot lines are always the same, I do like that the endings are usually something that you didn't see coming. Of course, I saw this on Lifetime only a few months back (didn't transfer quite so well), I still enjoyed it.

Tonight I'll start up with Nora Robert's Blue Smoke (I didn't watch this movie when it was on Lifetime) and when that's done, I'll start in on our book club selection, The Unusual Rules by Joyce Maynard - why does her name sound so familiar :confused:

[LeslieR]

I finally finished The Dirty Girls Social Club last night. It was a lot better than I expected after reading the comments here. It definitely wasn't what I thought it was, though-I was expecting something more along the lines of more get togethers like Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, The Book Club, or something like that. Anyone read any of her other books?

I'm still waiting for The Kiterunner to come in at the library, so I think I'm going to try an Anita Shreve next. Not sure which one, though.

[whos that girl]

Haunted by Kelley Armstrong.

This was the fourth of fifth book in a series I just started reading a month ago and I've really fallen in love with the characters. (There's some great online reading at Kelley Armstrong's website (http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/mSeries.htm).) One of the characters that I got to meet in one of the online short stories was Eve and I was so disappointed that I wouldn't get to read more of her later. Lo and behold, here she is in the starring role of this novel.

[LeslieR]

I started reading A Wedding In December and could not get into it at all. I'm not sure that I like Anita Shreve's writing style. I may give it or another try at a later date.

The library called to say The Kite Runner was in, so I picked that up Friday and started reading it. I'm only on chapter 11, but I HATE Amir. Hate him. I know that thus that he's been only a little boy, but I am just sick at his actions or rather lack of action.:mad: Is this book based on a true story?

[imagirliegirl]

I just finished Perfect Match and I highly recommend it to Jodi Picoult fans. It's definitely one of her best.

[TracieB]

LeslieR - from what I remember, it's a fictional book, not based on a true story.

[Ohana]

Leslie R I did not care for A Wedding in December at all, either. The dual storyline just irritated me. I know Shreve is quite popular, and maybe I just picked a bad example of her work for my first book by her, but I have no incentive to read any of her others.

[rachrich]

Recently finished 2 Nicholas Sparks books- True Believer and At First Sight But I read them backwards-ha. I had no idea they were a mini-series if you will, but i was reading At first sight, and a friend told me i have to read True Believer first! oh well, i enjoyed them both.

I also recently read Mitch Albom's For One More Day. That was an awesome book. I cried on several occasions.

currently I'm reading Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire. He wrote Wicked, which I also read and enjoyed. It was a little odd, because I'm not really a sci-fi fan, but I did enjoy it. I loved, loved, loved the musical (hence my avatar) I just started Son... so we'll see.

[LeslieR]

I finished The Kite Runner last night. It was really good. I ended up not hating Amir after all.;) It's not the usual type of book I would read, but I have to confess I'm hoping for a sequel!:p I'm really looking forward to our next book club meeting to discuss the book.

I think I'm going to start Anybody Out There? next.

[mia's mama]

Leslie- It's not a sequal, but did you read A Thousand Splendid Suns (Hosseini's second novel)? I just finished last night and really liked it (again, a heart-wrencher but hard to put down). It had a very similar feel to The Kite Runner, but that was fine with me b/c I read the KR a few years ago.

I also just read The Glass Castle (which I thought was great (but again horrifying at times to read) and I'm starting Water for Elephants tonight.

[kwsu44]

Leslie- It's not a sequal, but did you read A Thousand Splendid Suns (Hosseini's second novel)? I just finished last night and really liked it (again, a heart-wrencher but hard to put down). .


I just finished this last night - loved it! But it was definitely heavy and hard to read in some places.

I'm thinking of picking Water for Elephants for my book club selection next month ... it seems like people have enjoyed it on this thread ...

[LeslieR]

Thanks for the recs ladies! I actually added it to my list yesterday.:)

[Jessica]

I just finished Sammy's House by Kristin Gore, the sequel to Sammy's Hill. While I enjoyed the story, she made a big mistake at the end of the book about the law that ruined the ending for me. I was bummed.

I thought the same thing. The end was not so good.

[BumbleB]

I loved Water for Elephants!

I just finished reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy - it was disturbing, but very good and deserving of the recognition it has gotten.

I'm now reading Blessings by Anna Quindlen

[rachrich]

My aunt recommended a book to me a few weeks back, and I can't remember the name of it for the life of me. Maybe you guys can help....

She gave me a brief synopsis, which may be somewhat incorrect
A man "dies" and is saved by someone, though this man ends up mad about being saved because he enjoyed what he saw of heaven and wanted to stay there. She said one of the characters is a pastor.

Do this plot sound familiar to anyone? My aunt read it for her book club and she really liked it!

[nawsgirl]

rachrich, could it be 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper? I just saw it on Amazon and it sounds like your synopsis....

As for me, I recently finished A Thousand Splendid Suns, and I LOVED it. I thought it was better than The Kite Runner. So sad, but yet so good!

Now I am listening to Lean Mean Thirteen (Janet Evanovich)- it's OK, but not my favorite in the series. I'm reading The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie and liking it... kind of funny though because obviously there was no DNA or any kind of scientific crime scene investigation (beyond collecting fingerprints) and as a devoted CSI viewer I'm having to adjust my ideas on crime scenes :)

[rachrich]

Thanks nawsgirl, after reading your post I went to amazon and read it, too. That's gotta be it- it's almost identical to the synopsis my aunt told me. Has anyone read 90 minutes in heaven? Just wondering if it's worth buying, or if I should just loan it from the library.

I'm getting a lot of good ideas from this thread. I've been compiling a list of books I'm interested in. I love reading all kinds of books, but since being in grad school, lately all I seem to read is text books(blah). I need something to read for pleasure to give me a break from texts!

[Adaya]

I'm so excited because I ust got Stephen Carter's second novel, New England White , from the library. It's a meaty 550 pages, but just like his first long novel, I know I'll finish it within a few days. I can't wait!!

[mommydearest]

Just finished Good in Bed. Loved it! Cannie is a character any woman can relate to, especially any mother.

And, it goes without saying that I finished HP7.

Next up...I Refuse to Raise a Brat.

[Dizzy]

I'm finally reading The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri. Figured I should read it before the movie comes out. Has anyone else read it?

Just finished Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt and I have 1776 by David McCullough in the queue to read next. Angela's Ashes was an emotionally difficult read! The author's childhood was soooo rough!

[Dizzy]

double post

[Rosebud]

I'm finally reading The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri. Figured I should read it before the movie comes out. Has anyone else read it?

I read it and really liked it. Not quite as much as I liked The Interpreter of Maladies, but it's still pretty great. The way that each of these characters feels about family life and the importance they ascribe it is totally compelling. I found the book at once very intelligent and very emotional. I think Lahiri is one of the best writers working today. (I think the movie of The Namesake already came out, though).


Angela's Ashes was an emotionally difficult read! The author's childhood was soooo rough!

It's been years since I read this, but vividly remember how shocking the story was. The thing that stuck with me the most was the way in which the author was able to relate the events of his life-- with just enough humor and remove that it seemed very powerful (and very Irish) without being melodramatic.

[elle jee]

I'm finally reading The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri. Figured I should read it before the movie comes out. Has anyone else read it recently? What'd you think?


I read it last month and loved it... I didn't even realize that it was a movie as well, until a few days ago. I am so out of touch with popular culture.

[Katy]

I just finished Jane Porter's Flirting with Forty (http://www.amazon.com/Flirting-Forty-Jane-Porter/dp/0446697265) (at the recommendation of Megan Crane - which reminds me, I need to get her blog finished for Thurs) and I loved it! I can't recall the last time I liked a character so much. I was really rooting her and her surfer boy. Now that it's over, I've got a little bit of a let down going on...I wanted more.

Tomorrow I'm going to swing by the library and pick up the next Outlander book, Voyager. I'm ready to move along with that story.

And I'm 298th in line for the last HP book :rolleyes:

[pixielou]

I just (finally) read "I Know This Much is True" by Wally Lamb. All 900 pages of it. And I must say that he kept my attention for all 900 pages. It's been a couple days and I'm still thinking about it. I have a cousin who is bipolar, so the book kind of hit home a bit.

OK - for all you fans of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency - I've just finished book 4 and am waiting for book #5 to arrive in my mail. Have any of you read The Sunday Philosophy Club? Is it as good as The No. 1 Ladies?

Also - has anyone read any of The Cat Who. . . series? These have been recomended to me because I like The No. 1 Ladies series. I'm not sure why I'm hesitant.

~pixie

Oh - and thanx to the people who gave me some Nicholas Sparks recomendations about a month ago. I've been reading more Sparks. And thoroughly enjoying them. Though I sitll think he's a chick using a pen name. . .

[SiValleySteph]

I just finished JPod by Douglas Coupland.

I thought it was pretty funny and liked it for the most part. The one thing I really didn't like was that Douglas Coupland wrote himself in as a character in the book.

It followed a group of coworkers in "Jpod" at a video game company.

[framboise]

pixielou, I've listened to the whole No. 1 Ladies series (except for the most recent one, that's up next after my current audio book) and really like the whole series. I recently listened to The Sunday Philosophy Club and can't make up my mind about it. I liked it better than some things I have listened to, but it's no No. 1 Ladies. I think that I probably will continue to listen to the series because I've really liked No. 1. But I'm not going to get them anywhere other than the library unless the second book is a big improvement. I know that's probably very little help to you, but I haven't made up my own mind yet!

Me, I'm FINALLY reading Kite Runner & although I'm only like 50 pages in I really like it. I'm listening to To Kill a Mockingbird in the car because I really enjoyed reading it in high school & finally saw the CD at the library.

[imagirliegirl]

I picked up Dean Koontz's The Husband yesterday and just finished it. I love his books and this one didn't disappoint.

[pixielou]

framboise thanks for the input. i think i'll just pick up The Sunday Philosophy Club and give it a try. if i don't like it, i don't have to read the rest!

I started reading Sammys Hill last night. Not sure what I think so far - though I am 100+ pages in. Kinda seems like Bridgette Jones goes to Capitol Hill. Maybe I'm just getting old and cranky?

~pixie

[LeslieR]

I finished "Anybody Out There" the other night. I had forgotten how much I love the Walsh family! Now I want to go back and read all of the books about the Walshes.

I started a new book that I have no idea where I got the recommendation for it. It's called SAHM I Am. It sounded good and it's one of those email form type books which I enjoy. I'm not really loving it, though. I just want to finish it at this point so that I can move onto something else (not sure what, of course).

[rachrich]

Just finished Son of a Witch. Though it was quite dark, and a bit confusing at times, I did enjoy it. Definitely left a lot of unanswered q's to be answered in a possible sequel. it would be disappointing if Maguire didn't write a third book to the series. Now I need something mindless to read.

[kd 9.21.02]

I read A Thousand Splendid Suns in two days and really enjoyed it. Of course I cried (how could I not?) but thought it was great. Not sure if it was "better" or even "as good" as Kite Runner but I just love his writing. He really pulls me in and I can visualize everything. And I think about his characters long after I finish the book.

A Harry Potter newbie (though I'd seen the movies), I read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows this week to appease my husband. Can't wait for the movie now.

Totally random... I read John Grisham's Bleachers this week as well simply because I was on vacation and ran out of books. My SIL's guest house had a few leftover books so I picked this up. UGH. It stunk. Grisham totally mailed it in and took advantage of his name. For lack of a better way to say it, I'm so over him.

[LeslieR]

Well, I finished "SAHM I Am". I decided that what I didn't like about it was the Christian aspect. Take that out and throw in some swearing and more realistic venting and I would have enjoyed it much more.

Not sure what I'm going to read next. None of the books I have on hold at the library are in yet. They have a ton of copies of "A Thousand Splendid Suns", so I might grab one of those. We have our book club dinner on Thursday where we'll find out the next book we're going to read, but I need something to read until then.

[MaineBelle]

I just finished The Thirnteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Very well done - I enjoyed it.

I read 2 Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum Books before that - High Five (was that the name of the fifth book?) and Hot Six. I needed some good vacation airplane reading. These fit the bill.

I am now starting The Girls by Lori Lansens. It got such good reviews, I hope it can live up to my expectations.

[Dizzy]

It's been awhile since I've visited this thread...

Rosebud, thank you for your insightful comments regarding The Namesake & Angela's Ashes. I'm excited that the movie (The Namesake) is already out because I'm DYING to see it after finishing the book. I hope it doesn't disappoint. In the meantime, I do plan on picking up Interpreter of Maladies!

I've started 1776 and it is INTENSE. I love all the intricate details about Washington, his close confidantes, and all their decisions. I'm barely into it but so far I LOVE it!

[TX Sweetheart]

I'm in the middle of several books... Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters; Redwall by Brian Jacques; The Princess Bride by William Goldman; and Rogue Angel: God of Thunder by Alex Archer... I think I need to just pick one and finish it, then another, etc...

[TOMama]

I just finished Middlesex. I really enjoyed this book and was a little sad when it came to an end. Some of the events that took place were a little "over the top", but I really grew to like the narrator and some of the main characters. Don't let the hermaphrodite part throw you off. If you enjoy epics, you'll like this book.

This summer I've also read:
The Red Tent - absolutely loved it. Made me want to embrace my womanhood :D
Queen's Fool - good easy read and I enjoyed the historical cast of characters that she threw in.
The Lovely Bones - a bit depressing, probably won't reread anytime soon
Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette - Meh, wouldn't recommend.
Little Earthquakes - "Sex and the City" for new moms. A fun read.

Now off to look for something new to read!

[LeslieR]

I finished "Undomesticted Goddess" yesterday. I actually really enjoyed this book. Makes me want to go back and give "Shopaholic & Sister" another shot so that I can read "Shopaholic & Baby" soon.

Today I picked up "The Other Woman" by Jane Green and "The Rest of Her Life" by Laura Moriarty. The latter was targeted at Jodi Picoult fans in the blurb I read about the book in a magazine, so I think I'm going to start that one tonight.

I am attempting to read 30 books by the end of the year (would have tried the 50, but I started late). 17 and counting! The majority of those have been read this summer. I just might make it to 50!

[BumbleB]

I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

I'm not sure which I liked best, this one or The Kite Runner. But I think this story was more powerful and absolutely heart-wrenching. It makes you see just how sick fundamentalists can be. I highly recommend this book, with the small warning that it's pretty heavy subject matter but very worth reading.

[Belm]

I just finished reading Water for Elephants. I couldn’t put it down. I really got sucked into and I loved her attention to detail.

[rachrich]

yesterday I picked up The secret life of Bees @ the library. I looked for A Thousand Splendid suns and of course they're all out. Our library really sucks. I've only read 4 pages, but i'm looking forward to it from all the reviews i've read.

I also read a wonderful book, called Icy Sparks by Gwen Hymen Rubio. It was on Oprah's book club several years back. If you've never read it, I really recommend it.

[LeslieR]

rachrich, I looved "The Secret Life of Bees"! About your library-do you access it online? Ours is very small and rarely has the books that I want to read. I have a list on their site of probably over 50 books that I want to read. Whenever I'm ready for new books, I go in to the site and request the ones I want and they call me when they're in. It's so awesome! I hadn't used the library in years and years-I had no idea how revolutionized it is now! I hate to think how much money I've blown on books that I could have borrowed from the library. I've even got my husband reading a book from the library now and wanting to borrow more!:)

[rachrich]

LeslieR- i hear ya- our library is WAY small, and the selection, IMO (pardon my french) is piss poor. We can access the catalog online, but I'm not sure of all the capabilities of the libray's website, like if I wanted to make a request list like you have. That would be awesome if they did have something like that. I'm definitely going to check into it.

How long do you typically have to wait for a book after you tell them you're ready for it? Like, all copies of ..Splendid suns are out and i'm sure as soon as it's returned, it'll be checked right out again. Do you get first dibs on a book as soon as it comes in? I love using the library, but wish ours was more user friendly and had more materials.

[MsRo]

How long do you typically have to wait for a book after you tell them you're ready for it? Like, all copies of ..Splendid suns are out and i'm sure as soon as it's returned, it'll be checked right out again. Do you get first dibs on a book as soon as it comes in?

I know at my library those who request the book, online or in person, are given priority over folks just stopping by. I was number 265 in line for the newest Janet Evanovich (requested it way, way late-we can request as soon as the library *orders* the book) so my sister and I simply bought it. :p

I generally wait a week for a book to get to me, especially if it's coming from another location in the system of libraries.

[LeslieR]

Definitely check out their web site and play around. The town I live in is really small-I am still surprised at the options online. They access all of the libraries in the area. The time I've waited seems to vary. I typically request 4-5 books at a time and they usually come in one by one. The most books I've picked up at once was 3.

[MaineBelle]

rachrich - Thanks for the recommendation on Icy Sparks. I bought it a while ago when I found it in the bargain bin at Barnes and Noble. It's been sitting on my bookshelf ever since. So, now I'll have to go dust it off and read it.

[Belm]

Loved the Secret Lives of Bees, rachrich.

[rachrich]

Mainebelle Sure thing! I loved it-a friend recommended it, and I'm so glad I read it.

[shopaholic]

Service Included: Four-star secrets of an eavesdropping waiter

[Dizzy]

Finally reading Water for Elephants. It's great so far!

[LeslieR]

I finished "The Rest of Her Life" the other day. I don't really get how it got a Jodi Picoult comparison. There is no huge plot reveal at the end of the book. It just is what it is. Kind of a disappointment.

Today I picked up and started "Charlotte Gray" today for book club, but I'm not so sure about this one. Not my normal read.

I till have "The Other Woman" and I'm looking forward to reading that. I also have "Everything I Needed To Know About Being A Girl I Learned From Judy Blume" out from the library. I am really anxious to read this one. I may put "Charlotte Gray" aside until closer to the book club dinner and read these two now instead.

[shopaholic]

I also have "Everything I Needed To Know About Being A Girl I Learned From Judy Blume" out from the library.

Let us know how that is. I would be interested in reading this too!

[LeslieR]

Absolutely!:)

[nawsgirl]

I've been listening to Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl, and I like it a lot so far. She was the restaurant critic for the NY Times, and this book is about the disguises she made up to try to fool the restaurants- she wanted to see how she was treated if they didn't know who she was. For the longest time I thought this book was about vampires, so I'm glad I actually looked at a summary rather than just the title! :)

I'm reading The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian. It's about a young social worker who is assaulted while out bike riding, and consequently she retreats into herself... she works at a homeless shelter and an old man dies, leaving behind a collection of photographs of famous people, which we are led to believe he took himself. She then tries to figure out who he was, and what led him to be homeless in Vermont. The characters from The Great Gatsby are involved as real people- the woman suspects that the old man was actually the son of Tom and Daisy Buchanan. It's pretty good so far, and is supposed to be a thriller with a big twist, which sounds good to me!

Recently finished listening to On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan- about a couple on their honeymoon in early 1960s England, who can't really talk about their sexual dysfunctions due to the societal restraints upon them, with tragic consequences. It was interesting, but quite awkward. Definitely not a happy book...

[BumbleB]

I'm finally reading The Red Tent, about half way through and I love it.

[shopaholic]

Service Included: Four-star secrets of an eavesdropping waiter

Just finished this book today. It was alright. It is an advanced reader copy that was sent to me. Not something that I would have purchased on my own. It is behind-the-scene info from "the first female captain at a NYC 4 star restaurant".

There were several spelling errors and mis-used words at times but I am not sure if that is due to the fact that it is an advanced copy?

[mgrace]

I'm finally reading The Red Tent, about half way through and I love it.
I loved the Red Tent!

[shopaholic]

Starting The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry another advanced reader copy.

[TracieB]

Read two quick books while on vacation:

The Gatecrasher - by Madeleine Wickham (aka Sophie Kinsella)
Fun, easy read. Great for just lounging! Recommend it!

The Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12 - by Robin Gold. Another one I recommend! Fun read... had me laughing out loud at points!

[kristin]

I just finished reading Jodi Picoult's "Salem Falls". I think I've read all of her books now. I also recently finished re-reading Anita Shreve's "Fortunes Rocks" - a great summer read. My recent favorite is probably Shreve's "Strange Fits of Passion" - it's not smutty, as the title suggests, but an interesting take on domestic violence before public awareness.

Any suggestions for more authors like Picoult and Shreve? I tend to like a certain style of writing and then go through all that author's novels.

[Dizzy]

Finished Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen the other night, and it was really good. Gruen is a great storyteller & I zipped right through it...even cried a few times.

Started Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Pessl. LOVE it so far. It's so unique and interesting!

[Dizzy]

Kristin: Have you ever read anything by Anne Tyler? I've never read Jodi Picoult or Anita Shreve, so I'm probably not the best to answer your question...BUT i do highly recommend Anne Tyler, plus she's written a lot of books! I'd start with The Amateur Marriage

[rachrich]

this morning I finished Secret Life of Bees. What an awesome book. There were several parts where I teared up. it took my long enough-almost 2 weeks! I've lurked in the "50 books in a year" thread a few times, and I thought, I'd NEVER be able to do that. LOL. I don't know when I'll be posting in this thread again because, until December, I will be burrying my face in grad texts. WHAT FUN! But I'm going to try to do some pleasure reading, however long it may take to finish a book.

[shopaholic]

Shopaholic Ties the Knot. This is the first Shopaholic book that I have read. I rented from the library so I had to take what was available. I also got Shopaholic & Sister. Hopefully I am not reading them out of order.

[Katy]

Yes, you're reading them out of order. And sadly, the those two aren't nearly as good as the first two in my opinion.

[pixiecat]

I read water for elephants in one sitting... loved it!

[Dizzy]

Pixie: I often say "I couldn't put it down" but you *literally* didn't! hehe!

What will you be reading next?

Still working on Special Topics in Calamity Physics. Still lovin' it!

[shopaholic]

Yes, you're reading them out of order. And sadly, the those two aren't nearly as good as the first two in my opinion.

Really? I enjoyed Ties the Knot so hopefully I will like the first two even more. It seems that the Sister book comes after Ties the Knot because it talks about the honeymoon (haven't started reading it just yet).

[BumbleB]

I'm reading The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde. Like it so far, it's different. :)

[imagirliegirl]

I am currently reading I Hope the Serve Beer In Hell by Tucker Max. It's absolutely freaking hilarious.


My name is Tucker Max, and I am an asshole. I get excessively drunk at inappropriate times, disregard social norms, indulge every whim, ignore the consequences of my actions, mock idiots and posers, sleep with more women than is safe or reasonable, and just generally act like a raging "richard"head [I editted that part]. But, I do contribute to humanity in one very important way: I share my adventures with the world.

I picked it up in the airport and am so glad I did. Brad read it and I'm almost done and it's SO funny. We've both laughed out loud a lot.

It's pretty tacky though, so it's not for everyone. But if you have a sort of sick sense of humor and don't get offended easily, you'll love it.

[TracieB]

Really? I enjoyed Ties the Knot so hopefully I will like the first two even more. It seems that the Sister book comes after Ties the Knot because it talks about the honeymoon (haven't started reading it just yet).

This is the order:

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan
Shopaholic Ties the Knot
Shopaholic and Sister
Shopaholic and Baby

[Dizzy]

Imagirliegirl: Sounds hysterical!! What's next on your list to read?

Has anyone read Margaret Atwood? I'm sad to say I haven't yet and I'm wondering if there's a specific book I should look into. Thanks!

[LeslieR]

"Shopaholic and Sister" is HORRIBLE. I just couldn't get into it and put it down which I rarely do.

If you like her books, I highly recommend "Can You Keep A Secret" and "Undomesticated Goddess". Both were way better than the Shopaholic series, IMO.



I'm struggling to get any reading done these days. Still working on "The Other Woman". I just got an email that our next book club dinner is 9/20 and I only read the first 2 pages of "Charlotte Gray". ugh.

[MsRo]

I am currently reading I Hope the Serve Beer In Hell by Tucker Max. It's absolutely freaking hilarious.

I read this back in June. It was funny to start with but got disgusting pretty quickly.

[Katy]

I read this back in June. It was funny to start with but got disgusting pretty quickly.I haven't read the book, or any of his stories on his site. But I have had the pleasure of hearing him speak. Let me be the first to say, he's a horrible speaker and one of the cockiest, most chauvinistic, derogatory men I've ever heard speak. Considering his book was written 5 or so years prior to his speaking engagement, I'm sure the book is ever worse as he was probably too young to even know about how life works outside the one-night-stand.

I'm all for guy humor, he's just the center of the the universe (and so he'd like you to believe) and that alone makes anything he says so hard to tolerate. I've heard he's done quite well on the frat-boy circuit (or so he made the point of telling us. Over and over and over a few times).

This sounds judgmental, I know, but really, if you'd only heard him speak (FWIW, a lot of men were saying the very same things about him and half the audience walked out - or probably only stayed for the next speaker like we did).

[am_81]

Has anyone read Margaret Atwood? I'm sad to say I haven't yet and I'm wondering if there's a specific book I should look into. Thanks!

I've read a couple Atwoods. The Blind Assassin (http://www.amazon.com/Blind-Assassin-Margaret-Atwood/dp/1860498809/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-1996095-4934553?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189287165&sr=1-1) was my first. I've heard its not one of her best/one of the hardest to get into, but I thought it was fantastic. I think I mightve mentioned it in thiis thread, actually. I also read Alias Grace (http://www.amazon.com/Alias-Grace-Novel-Margaret-Atwood/dp/0385490445/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-1996095-4934553?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189287256&sr=1-2) earlier this summer; it had a slow beginning, but once it got going, I really enjoyed it. I currently have A Handmaid's Tale (http://www.amazon.com/Handmaids-Tale-Novel-Margaret-Atwood/dp/038549081X/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-1996095-4934553?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189287306&sr=1-2) in my to-read stack. That one is the Atwood book most people have read and I think is considered one of her best.

ETA to add a comment out of my LJ from when I first started reading The Blind Assassin:

I am very intrigued by the novel-within-a-novel aspect, but I can already tell I'm going to need a little more "concentration" to keep up with it. Sci-fi isnt one of my fave genres, so forcing myself to really read those sections will be my biggest issue.

The sci-fi didnt end up being *too* sci-fi-y or too much of it, but the other part of the story more than made up for those parts.

[daphne]

ITA w/everything am81 wrote about M. Atwood's books. I've read others, but those 3 are my faves. I liked Oryx & Crake, but it was a little too sci-fi-ish for me.

[rachrich]

Didn't think I'd be back posting in this thread for a while.
DH & I went to Border's today cause we had $55 in gift cards to spend! I picked up the paperback copy of Don Piper's 90 Minutes in Heaven and I can't WAIT to read it. Hopefully, I'll be able to finish it by October.

imagirliegirl I have to get that book! It sounds great. I'm rarely offended, and my humor is somewhat twisted. For example, Scrubs and The Office are 2 of my fave shows. Thanks for recommending that.

[Dizzy]

am81 and daphne: Thank you for the suggestions!

[imagirliegirl]

imagirliegirl I have to get that book! It sounds great. I'm rarely offended, and my humor is somewhat twisted. For example, Scrubs and The Office are 2 of my fave shows. Thanks for recommending that.

Some of the stories are on his website, www.tuckermax.com. If you think they are funny, you'd probably like the book.


Let me be the first to say, he's a horrible speaker and one of the cockiest, most chauvinistic, derogatory men I've ever heard speak.

I've never heard him speak, but he's not a bad writer. He's definitely a jerk, which he never denies, and his stories are written in a way that makes them funny even though they are pretty revolting. But you are right, he's a cocky frat boy type, so his stories are definitely along those lines. They are definitely not for the faint of heart. I don't offend easily so I was able to find some humor in it.

I think every college girl should have to read this book, seriously. These are the kinds of guys that are out there. It's unreal how he and his friends treat girls they just met like total crap and these girls are like OMG you're so cute. That was more shocking than the stunts he pulled.

[LeslieR]

I finally finished "the Other Woman" this morning. It was really eerie to me how much of her feelings rang true to me.

I'm going to give Charlotte Gray another try in hopes that I can make it to our book club meeting. It's not my usual read, so I'm leery.

[FoxyBlue]

Also - has anyone read any of The Cat Who. . . series?

I'll bite. I've been reading the series for years! I love them, particularly the older books. The newer ones seem a bit shorter, and perhaps a bit shallower (in terms of character growth/dev). However, I am already in love with the characters so when I want an easy read I pick up the new ones :)

I'm not familiar with the other series you mentioned.

The Cat Who books revolve around James Qwilleran, an inherited fortune, and two Siamese cats with uncanny taste in literature.

Qwilleran, or Q, is a big city crime writer for a newspaper. He's a very interesting male character, a sort of 'good ole playboy' type. His two Siamese are integral to the plots, but not overdone. Qwill reads to them from his large library of old books. Occasionally their 'choices' (the cats like to run against the spines. He asks them what they want him to read and they knock a book off the shelf. He maintains that they like the sound of his voice.) prove to be relevant to the current crime in the book.

All in all they are fun books to read if you like quirky characters and cats.

[katmg]

I just finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I'm sure it's been out for awhile since I got the paperback at a used book store, but it was a very interesting read. And a fast one - I started it at around 3pm yesterday and finished it at 11 pm! It is about women in mid 1800's China. It really made me question my role as a mother and what I would be willing or not willing/able to do for my child.

I'd love to discuss it if anyone has read it. :)

[kugrrly]

Just finished The Glass Castle. What a great book. Currently reading Bunny Tales Behind Closed Doors at the Playboy Mansion.

[ausi2b]

I loved The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. It is definitely a book that needs some concentration (no way I could read it now with a baby in tow) but good for a relaxing vacation :)

I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns - LOVED it. I'm now trying to read Bel Canto. It has gotten good reviews, but it is taking me a while to get into it.

[BumbleB]

I barely slugged through Bel Canto when I read it a few years ago - I did not enjoy it at all. :rolleyes:

The Blind Assassin is my favorite Margaret Atwood as well. I just rencently read A Thousand Splendid Suns and thought it was fabulous.

I just finished The Eyre Affair - it was really different, but good. I'd probably read the others in the series at some point. Now I'm going to be starting The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig

[ausi2b]

Ugh ... I thought Bel Canto was supposed to be excellent! Dang it. I have such limited time to read, I only want to read fabulous books ... I'll try to read a bit more this weekend when I'm at my ILs and have an extra set of eyes on DS, but if it doesn't pick up, I'll just have to find another book!

[am_81]

I read Bel Canto on a plane trip a couple years back . . . . I didnt think it was fantastic, but I didnt think it was *awful* either. IIRC, my major problem with it was the way it ended. I do remember it being kind of slow in the beginning, but considering I have no other reading material with me I just kept at it.

[Dizzy]

Looks like I will DEFINITELY be putting The Blind Assassin and now A Thousand Splendid Suns on my "to-read" list. Thanks for the recommendations!

Ausi: I wanted to comment briefly on Bel Canto. I absolutely loved every minute of it. It's one of my favorites! But, it grabbed me from the very beginning, so I think if it hasn't grabbed you yet, it may not ever. The tone and the pace of the book don't ever change, from what I recall.

I've picked up books that were very well-lauded and tried to get through them and couldn't (for example: Cold Mountain and The Corrections) so I think if you're not enjoying it, it's definitely okay to put it down and move onto something you do like. Reading is supposed to be fun and just because a book is "supposed" to be good doesn't mean you *have* to like it!

[ausi2b]

Dizzy - Thanks for your thoughts. I've pretty much been the type of person that has to finish a book, even if I'm not enjoying it. It drives me crazy. I still keep picking up the Time Travellers Wife (which everyone raves about) b/c I just can't get through the first 50 pages or so.

Enjoy your books! :)

[Dizzy]

ausi2b: I admire your persistence!! You have way more patience than I ; ) I can't recommend strongly enough getting through The Time Traveler's Wife. I hope hope hope hope you end up liking it. It's my absolute favorite!

[lawyerlee]

I'm reading Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler. It's pretty cute and totally fluffy, which is exactly what I needed this week. I'm also reading The Lonely Patient: How We Experience Illness by Michael Stein. It's great, but pretty heavy.

I just finished Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Finally! It kept getting shoved to the back burner. I really loved it, so I'm glad I took the time to savor it.

[whos that girl]

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb.

This is a really fantastic story about a set of twins. One has schizophrenia, the other does not. It's been a long time since I've read this, so plot details are hazy, but I remember being so sucked in by it that I sat and read almost through the entire second half of the book in one sitting- and its a large book.

[Katy]

I just read Bobbie Faye's Very (very, very, very) Bad Day (http://www.amazon.com/Bobbie-Fayes-Very-very-Bad/dp/0312354487) by Toni McGee Causey the other day and couldn't put it down. The entire book takes place over one day, and while it was definitely a fun, light read, it was quite engaging. I just had to plow straight through to see what could possibly happen next and to learn how it ends. I think it would be perfect for a plane or vacation read.

I also started the fourth book in the Outlander series - Drums of Autumn.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm quite intrigued by Courtney Thorne Smith's new book, Outside In (http://www.amazon.com/Outside-Novel-Courtney-Thorne-Smith/dp/0767927494/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1960609-0152106?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189646831&sr=1-1). It's not in yet at the library, but I reserved it. I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for the chick lit.

[kd 9.21.02]

I just picked up Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela in preparation for our trip to South Africa in December.

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/517G0ECKZQL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_.jpg

Anyone else read this? I have a feeling it's going to be a struggle to get through. I already can't keep track of the towns, tribes and names.

[kris97]

For those who like Margaret Atwood, I'd also recommend Oryx and Crake. I'm a huge fan, and this is my favorite of her books. It's a dystopia about the genetically-engineered world gone amuck (sp?), and while I normally don't like fantasy or futuristic novels, this has stuck with me since I read it over a year ago.

[TOMama]

I just finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I'm sure it's been out for awhile since I got the paperback at a used book store, but it was a very interesting read. And a fast one - I started it at around 3pm yesterday and finished it at 11 pm! It is about women in mid 1800's China. It really made me question my role as a mother and what I would be willing or not willing/able to do for my child.

I'd love to discuss it if anyone has read it. :)

I just finished reading it last night. I absolutely loved it. This book was especially of interest to me since my MIL was raised by her grandmother in a very traditional mainland Chinese household. Her grandmother had bound feet and was the 1st wife of a very successful businessman who dealt in salt(lucky her). My MIL has great stories...

It did depress me a bit to read about how women were treated and how worthless they were perceived to be. The whole foot binding thing is AMAZING. Who came up with that? Obviously some deeply disturbed male! Yet they amazed me by their perseverance and decorum even when all was lost. So glad I don't live in 1800 China ;)

[katmg]

TOMama - Yeah, I couldn't fathom the whole foot-binding thing. How could you do that to your own daughter?? Yikes! Definitely glad I don't live in 1800's China - although, there probably aren't a whole lot of places that I'd want to live in the 1800's!

[rachrich]

yesterday I finished reading 90 minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. It was good in parts, but the first 1/3 of the book was VERY redundant. It was quite an inspirational story, though.

[lawyerlee]

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan completely broke my heart. It was so good, but so sad. Definitely worth reading.

I started Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, Steven Hopp, and Camille Kingsolver (http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Vegetable-Miracle-Year-Food/dp/0060852550/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2343639-2452647?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190044620&sr=8-1) last week. I am LOVING it! I am learning so much about what it takes to grow your own food, but it isn't boring at all. Her writing is so beautiful, and I am thoroughly enjoying reading about the family's journey.

[Dizzy]

I finally finished Special Topics in Calamity Physics. It took me two weeks to read it! :eek:
I absolutely loved it. It's a very very unique read and took some interesting twists at the end that I never saw coming. I love when that happens!

Next up is either Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond or The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde. I haven't decided yet. I've read two fiction in a row, so it might be nice to read Guns, Germs, and Steel. We'll see!

[bluhimmy]

I just finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I'm sure it's been out for awhile since I got the paperback at a used book store, but it was a very interesting read. And a fast one - I started it at around 3pm yesterday and finished it at 11 pm! It is about women in mid 1800's China. It really made me question my role as a mother and what I would be willing or not willing/able to do for my child.


I joined a book club last month and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan was my first read with them. A highly recommended read for all women. I am so glad I don't live in the 1800s. I don't know if I would be strong enough to go through what these women had endured. As I read the book, I couldn't stop thinking about DD. I was sad and, yet so glad we live in a completely different society. I would neve be able to be so distant and cold to my own flesh and blood on the mere fact that she was a girl.

TOMama - My grandmother actually had her foot bound when she was a young girl in China. She would tell me stories about how she would undo the bindings at night when she was in bed. Then in the morning, she would rewrap the bandages. Lucky for her, her mother wasn't too persistant, plus the culture was starting break away from that practice. No bones were broken, but she did have some small feet as a result of it.


Next up, The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards.

[katmg]

As I read the book, I couldn't stop thinking about DD. I was sad and, yet so glad we live in a completely different society. I would neve be able to be so distant and cold to my own flesh and blood on the mere fact that she was a girl.

Yup. That's all I could think about - how I wouldn't have made it in that society. I just couldn't act that way toward my own child.

[LeslieR]

I couldn't get into "Charlotte Gray", so I returned it today along with "Life's A Beach" that I finished last night. That one was just an okay read. I'm still feeling like it's been a long time since I read a *really* good book. *sigh*

I never got to read "Everything I Needed To Know About Being A Girl I Learned From Judy Blume". It was late and I couldn't renew it, so I just returned it and put it back on my list. Hopefully I'll get to read it soon.

Today I took out "What To Keep" by Patsy Cline and "The Mermaid Chair" by Sue Monk Kidd. Not sure which I'll start first. I have like 5 other books requested, too.

[mgrace]

I just finished The Nanny Diaries. It was a cute, quick read, but I didn't like the ending. When does the movie come out?

Still working on Secret Life of Bees, The Kite Runner and next up is Julie and Julia.

[hokiegirl]

I'm flipping between The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan and Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson. One's for a bookclub (so I need to finish by next week) and the other is from the library (due tomorrow). Both are so good that I have a hard time figuring which to read when I try and decide which will be my bedtime reading.

[SiValleySteph]

I just looked up Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and Snow flower and the Secret Fan in my library catalog:

41 holds and 45 holds! Guess if I want to read them anytime soon I'll have to get them from a bookstore!

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals is missing from my branch and checked out from every other one. Might have to put a hold on that one!

[chandy]

SiValleySteph I remember when I looked up A Thousand Splendid Suns at my library, there were 79 holds on it, but I still got the book in about 4 days! (Of course, this was after I gave up on waiting and bought the book...)It doesn't usually take too long to get the book, even with lots of holds. (At least not in my city...)

[pixielou]

I stayed up until 3 am today finishing "Beautiful Lies" by Lisa Unger. Can't quite remember the last time I stayed up allnite to read a book. I was so sucked in after the first 50 pages or so.

Just starting "How Elizabeth Barrett Browning Saved my Life" by Mameve Medwed. I've enjoyed all her other books - so I have high hopes for this one.

~pixie

[lawyerlee]

I just looked up Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and Snow flower and the Secret Fan in my library catalog:

41 holds and 45 holds! Guess if I want to read them anytime soon I'll have to get them from a bookstore!

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals is missing from my branch and checked out from every other one. Might have to put a hold on that one!
Snow Flower and The Omnivore's Dilemma are both in paperback now, so it wouldn't hurt as much to buy them if you wanted to. :)

[katmg]

SiValley - I got Snow Flower from the used bookstore in paperback. Pretty good bargain there. :)

[framboise]

I stayed up until 3 am today finishing "Beautiful Lies" by Lisa Unger. Can't quite remember the last time I stayed up allnite to read a book. I was so sucked in after the first 50 pages or so.


Pixie, glad to hear that you really enjoyed that one! We read it earlier this year in my book club. Most of the ladies liked it, but I'm not so sure myself, haha. I liked the premise of "any small choice you make can impact many other things" but I thought the story was darker than it needed to be. If that makes sense.

:)

[TOMama]

TOMama - My grandmother actually had her foot bound when she was a young girl in China. She would tell me stories about how she would undo the bindings at night when she was in bed. Then in the morning, she would rewrap the bandages. Lucky for her, her mother wasn't too persistant, plus the culture was starting break away from that practice. No bones were broken, but she did have some small feet as a result of it.
bluhimmy - Wow, that's amazing. I was surprised to read that the tradition of foot binding went on until the 1950's in some regions.

Well, I started reading Suite Francaise but stalled out. I think knowing the outcome of the author's life pretty much put a damper on it for me. I think I need to read something lighter then go back to it later.

BTW, I have to thank you ladies for clueing me in to how advanced the libraries have become. I just checked out my city's library website and am amazed how much you can do online. This is going to save me lots of $$!

[Leia]

I read Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett this week, and I just loved it. I think I had ordered it after reading a recommendation here - it's about her friendship with the late Lucy Grealy.

I just ordered Grealy's Autobiography of a Face, her book of essays, and Patchett's first 2 novels. Patchett's next novel is coming out next week and I think I'll go see her speak at a local B&N here in NYC. I really enjoyed Bel Canto, but Truth and Beauty was really interesting and moving.

[marchfamily]

My summer reads.....

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory - loved it, but I love historical fiction
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen - loved it, read it in 2 days
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult - okay, not great
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant - enjoyed it
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards - did not like, boring
In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez - did not like

Currently reading -
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - loving it

[Amuse Bouche]

Currently reading the Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig -- lots of fun. Mystery, chick lit, historical fiction and Regency Romance rolled into one!

[lawyerlee]

I'm reading Bag of Bones by Stephen King. shimmerstar recommended it after I shared how much I liked Lisey's Story, and it really is great. I love his non-horror stuff a lot.

[rachrich]

lawyerlee I read Bag of Bones back in 2000, about a year or so after it came out. It was on the bargain racks at Border's so I bought it because I like Stephen King (horror and non-horror). If I remember correctly, it had a pretty awesome ending. I hope you enjoy it!

[Dizzy]

Currently reading Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond. I can't really get into it, tho. Maybe I need something lighter at the moment... Has anyone read it? Is it worth sticking with?

[lawyerlee]

lawyerlee I read Bag of Bones back in 2000, about a year or so after it came out. It was on the bargain racks at Border's so I bought it because I like Stephen King (horror and non-horror). If I remember correctly, it had a pretty awesome ending. I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you! I loved it. I honestly can't remember the last time I tore through a book that long in such a short time frame. :)

Now I'm reading Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs. Good stuff.

[LeslieR]

I finished What To Keep by Rachel Cline the other night. Another just okay book. I'm getting kind of discouraged here. I need a really good read! One that makes me think, cry, laugh, etc. One that doesn't leave me after I'm done reading it. Any suggestions???

I started The Mermaid Chair last night. Having a hard time getting into it.

[Ohana]

I'm reading The Kite Runner and Bicycle Days right now. I am absolutely loving both, for different reasons. The Kite Runner is such a compelling story, and it's fascinating to read and learn about Afghanistan, even though this is a fictional story. Bicycle Days is interesting to me because the protagonist is a recent college grad who moves to Japan. I lived in Japan for 2 years immediately following college, and many of the things Alec went through are familiar to me. There are a few glaring inconsistencies that are bothering me (he talks about seeing the cherry trees about to bloom, but he's in Japan in July, and he describes a scene where his host brother is wearing pointy shoes, but they are inside the house and Japanese people never, ever wear their shoes inside the house), but overall, an interesting read.

[Dizzy]

I put down Guns, Germs, and Steel and picked up The Memory Keeper's Daughter. It was a very compelling read at first, but became a bit redundant towards the end. Overall, a decent read. Not incredible, but not terrible. I'm giving it a 3 out of 5 stars on my Goodreads account =-) Next up is Baby Proof. Seems like a cute read that I can probably relate to!

[SiValleySteph]

I started The Mermaid Chair last night. Having a hard time getting into it.

I checked this one out last week and I just can't do it. It's going back to the library today. :)

I have to get on the hold list for those other books!

[nawsgirl]

I wasn't a big fan of The Mermaid Chair either...

Just started listening to The Last Summer (of you and me) by Ann Brashares, and it is NOT good at all. Bad similes all over the place, language is cheesy, etc. It's nowhere near as good as the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series.

Am about to finish The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian and it has been really good so far. I can't remember if I already wrote about it, but it's about a elderly formerly homeless man who dies and leaves all these photos behind. A young social worker with trauma in her past becomes obsessed by the pics and tries to figure out the man's background... I just came to a pretty good twist and am interested to see how it turns out (13 pages left!).

Also recently finished listening to The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. It is a juvenile book but really cute and worth reading, I think. It's about four sisters, their father, and their dog- they all go on vacation to a small cottage on a large estate and their dealings with a boy, two rabbits, and the boy's mean mother. I have been on a big juvenile/young adult kick lately- under my bed I have The Tale of Desperaux, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, the 6th in Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, and the first two of Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy (since The Golden Compass movie is coming out soon).

[amberfiddles]

if you love mysteries and/or historical fiction check out maisie dobbs by jaqueline winspear. :)

[Dizzy]

I'm having a lot of fun reading Baby Proof. It's just a cute, fun read and a welcome change from some of the heavier stuff I've been reading.