What's Everyone Reading? [Archive]

Sevilla

06-25-2005, 08:00 PM

I just did a huge trip to the library and here are the books i got (i've bolded the ones i've read so far):

1. Angry housewives Eating Bonbons
2. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
3. Confessions of a shopaholic
4. Nine parts of desire (about muslim women)
5. Pledged: The secret life of sororities
6. Expecting Adam by Martha Becket
7. The House on Mango St. by Sandra Cisneros
8. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
9. The Poisonwood bible
10. In the name of Salome by Julia Alvarez
11. Under the Banner of Heaven (about mormon fundamentalism)

I found Pledged the most interesting for its analysis of American culture (particularly the status-conscious aspects of the South), House on Mango St. i liked b/c i really enjoy S. Cisneros' writing style (latino immigrant culture), 9 Parts of Desire was an interesting look at Muslim women's lives in the middle east, but it is a bit dated now (was published 10 years ago) and is a bit too ethnocentric towards the West in its analysis/critique. Confessions of a Shopaholic was a light, entertaining read but nothing of substance. The Red Tent was alright, it reminded me of The Mists of Avalon.

JillyBean

06-25-2005, 08:00 PM

I just started Dead Run by PJ Tracy. Pretty good so far :)

Camdynlyn

06-25-2005, 09:06 PM

Holly: You liked my book, didn't you? I did a good job!! :D

Katie: I love Stephanie Plum. I listen to them on tape. I am trying to get caught up if people didn't keep checking them out all the time! blah!

Sevilla: Good gosh at those books. I read AHEBB on my honeymoon. Good book! I read the Secrets of the Tomb (same auther as Pledged) and have been meaning to pick up Pledged. Did you like?

Sevilla

06-25-2005, 09:11 PM

i liked Pledged a lot. if you read it let me know what you think too!

Camdynlyn

06-25-2005, 09:15 PM

Will do! I need to get to the library and get it.

I guess I should post what *I* am reading instead of running my mouth.

I am currently reading/listening Babylove by Jane Green. Liking it so far. About halfway through.

I am *really* (actual book) reading The Heartbreaker by Carly Phillips. One of my favorite romance novelist.

lawyerlee

06-25-2005, 09:42 PM

claribella

06-25-2005, 10:29 PM

Well I just finished Wicked the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and saw the musical last sat. Both were great!

Gotta finish HP 5

basketcase

06-25-2005, 10:58 PM

I'm reading Balance of Power by Richard North Patterson. I love this man! He takes hot topics and provides such great arguments, not to mention a compelling story. This one is about gun control.

Mellow_Water1

06-25-2005, 11:32 PM

I'm reading Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris. He is absolutely hilarious...my friend can't read any book by him in public because she laughs out loud and gets strange looks ;)

I love David Sedaris! I've read Me Talk Pretty One Day and Holidays on Ice and loved both! It's not possible for me to not laugh out loud when I read those, either. :D I've heard Naked is even better than MTPOD. I bought a book a while ago that he loves, but haven't started it yet. I'll post when I remember the name of it.

Right now, I'm reading Heaven by VC Andrews. It's about this dirt poor family with 5 kids. The father only comes home when they are about to starve, and he basically rips the family apart. I like it so far.

MurphysLaw

06-26-2005, 12:03 AM

Recently finished:
Down Came the Rain by Brooke Sheilds(Post Pardum book)
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks (sequel to The Notebook)

Am currently reading:
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult....LOVE her writing style.

Have but haven't started:
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock

I've heard LOTS of good things about David Sedaris...can't wait to pick one of his up.

TX Sweetheart

06-26-2005, 03:03 AM

Still haven't found the Kirstie Alley book, but I did find another book that I bought a couple of weeks ago, so I'm about to start reading it: Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer

Vegastrtle

06-26-2005, 05:34 AM

I've been reading through Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books again so I'm up to speed and can read the newest one that just came out. I'm also currently reading through the Kate White books since her new one comes out next month. I love my mysteries!

Vegastrtle..
Thank you for reminding me that I've been wanting to read some books by David Sedaris... I've heard sooo many good things about him.

He's great! I love Stephanie Plum too...I have a pile of books that I'm packing for the honeymoon (mostly plane ride, beach reading, etc) DF saw it and said, "Maybe I'll bring my golf clubs...I'll have nothing to do!"

1MegMeg

06-26-2005, 06:42 AM

Currently I am reading Save Karyn by Karyn Bosnak - I am in school full time this semester (and I work full time), so my brain doesn't have much capacity for anything super intellectual, hence the girly book. Hehe!

Up next The Dive From Clausen's Pier.

Shout out to my dear friend Nylons73 - thanks for letting me borrow the books! :)

strwbrygirl

06-26-2005, 07:50 AM

Recently finished:

-History on Trial- Deborah Lipstadt
-My Sister's Keeper- Jodi Picoult
-Arc of Justice- Kevin Boyle
-The Bitch in the House- ed. Cathi Hanauer
-The Student Conductor- Robert Ford

Just started rereading the Harry Potter books in preparation for the new release on July 17th...

And if y'all are looking for a book-loving community of women, you may want to check out Chicklit (www.chicklit.com). It's run by a witty woman named Deborah, and the forums are great places to find suggestions for your TBR (to be read) list.

LeslieR

06-26-2005, 08:06 AM

Yay-another one of my favorite threads has made it over there! Gosh, I love this place!!! :D

Summer, I recently read Babyville by Jane Green and I really liked it. I had never read a book by her before. I want to read "The Other Woman" by her next. I read an excerpt of it in a magazine and the other woman is the MIL. Sounds really good.

I'm currently reading Safe Harbor by Luanne Rice. It's slow-going though. Hard to focus on reading now that I'm off bedrest and back at work. :(

cactus

06-26-2005, 09:02 AM

I've just started "A Girl Becomes a Comma Like That" by Lisa Glatt, and next on my list is "Saturday" by Ian McEwan (who is the author of the fabulous "Atonement"). I'm also excited to get to Nick Hornby's new book, "It's a Long Way Down" sometime this summer.

Camdynlyn

06-26-2005, 09:06 AM

Summer, I recently read Babyville by Jane Green and I really liked it. I had never read a book by her before. I want to read "The Other Woman" by her next. I read an excerpt of it in a magazine and the other woman is the MIL. Sounds really good.

I read another one of her books but can't, for the life of me, remember which one. I like her style and how it flows easily. Good book. I am just in the middle where I find out Maeve is pg. I might have to pick up The Other Woman too! Sounds good.

justHB

06-26-2005, 10:09 AM

I'm reading Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris. He is absolutely hilarious...my friend can't read any book by him in public because she laughs out loud and gets strange looks ;)

You know, I loved Me Talk Pretty One Day, but I just couldn't get in to this latest one. It seemed very sad. I actually didn't finish it.

justHB

06-26-2005, 10:10 AM

I read another one of her books but can't, for the life of me, remember which one. I like her style and how it flows easily. Good book. I am just in the middle where I find out Maeve is pg. I might have to pick up The Other Woman too! Sounds good. I love Jane Green for chick-lit. I think my favorite is Bookends. The only one I didn't like was Straight Talking.

Camdynlyn

06-26-2005, 10:12 AM

Oh I found the other Jane Green book I read.

It is called To Have and To Hold. Pretty good. About a husband cheating on his wife and the wife being empowered because of it and starting her own life. Decent chick lit read.
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/8780000/8787858.gif

justHB

06-26-2005, 10:13 AM

Right now I'm reading Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes and I have been planning forever to read It Must Be Something I Ate by Jeffrey Steingarten but I seem to keep reading celebrity gossip magazines instead.

oceaneast

06-26-2005, 10:35 AM

To Have and To Hold seem's like a good beach read. I may have to drive up to the Barnes and Noble this afternoon.

Camdynlyn

06-26-2005, 10:36 AM

It is a GOOD beach read. Gotta love CHicktion. Chick-fiction is the way to go!

Katie&Micah

06-26-2005, 10:37 AM

Vegas..

I'm gonna head to the library today and see if I can find any of his books.

Camdynlyn

Ohh.. I love Carly Phillips!

justHB..

I tried to read Bella Tuscany a couple months ago but couldn't get into it. Let me know how it turns out. I'd like to try to read it again if it's any good. I wasn't really able to focus on much right before the wedding which was when I was trying to read that.. lol

Ugh.. I soooo miss working at Barnes and Noble. The $$$ sucked but the discount and getting to *borrow* books was soooo worth it. I can't afford this book habit I have now.. and my library has a crappy selection of newer books.

Camdynlyn

06-26-2005, 10:41 AM

YAY! Another Carly Phillips fan! She is wonderful and writes the most exotic scenes! ;):eek:

Holls

06-26-2005, 11:30 AM

I've decided to blow off reading the rest of I Don't Know How She Does It and move on to by Faking It Jennifer Crusie. I'm so glad I discovered her books. They're fluffy and pretty mindless, but super fun to read and great for destressing. :)

LAWYERLEE I have the Jennifer Cruise book, but havn't started it yet either. For some reason i have kept putting it off. I havn't read any of her books before, but it might be next now that i know it's fluffy and mindless! :p

SUMMER LOVED the book of course! Another great book! You pick out all my good ones! :rolleyes:

udsweetpea

06-26-2005, 11:45 AM

I'm reading Confessions of a Shopaholic... awesome, hilarious book!

Holls

06-26-2005, 12:09 PM

I'm reading Confessions of a Shopaholic... awesome, hilarious book!

I LOVE THESE BOOKS!!!!! Sophie Kinsella Books were the "good" books that I was talking about that summer picks out for me... She got me started on them and I read ALL of them. I couldn't wait for them to come out with the new ones. I ALSO HEARD that one of her books is going to be made into a movie!!! OH I'm SO EXCITED! You'll LOVE IT!

maggieb

06-26-2005, 12:23 PM

Just finished rereading A Civil Action and am about to reread Fried Green Tomatoes. I'm taking classes too and rereading books is easier on my brain right now.

justHB and Katie&Micah I had a hard time getting into Bella Tuscany as well. Wasn't near as good as her first book.

udsweetpea

06-26-2005, 02:01 PM

I LOVE THESE BOOKS!!!!! Sophie Kinsella Books were the "good" books that I was talking about that summer picks out for me... She got me started on them and I read ALL of them. I couldn't wait for them to come out with the new ones. I ALSO HEARD that one of her books is going to be made into a movie!!! OH I'm SO EXCITED! You'll LOVE IT!

Awesome!! Do they go in a certain order? If they do, how can I tell which one is next?

Holls

06-26-2005, 02:06 PM

Awesome!! Do they go in a certain order? If they do, how can I tell which one is next?

Confessions of a Shopaholic
Shopaholic Takes Manhattan
Shopaholic Ties The Knot
and one more I think it's Shopaholic and Sister (I've read it, but it's the only one i don't own bc i havn't found it in paperback! :rolleyes: )

That's the order... Most of the books tell you which is next at the end... it will say coming soon.

Camdynlyn

06-26-2005, 02:08 PM

Andrea: They go, Confessions, Takes Man, Ties the Knot and Sister. Can you Keep a Secret is seperate!

She has new book coming out July 2005.

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/9260000/9263314.gif

Also, for anyone interested In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner is coming to theaters staring Cameron Diaz. I read this book when it came out and it is really good. Not sure how the movie trailers are, I have seen them but can't make up my mind. Here is that book for anyone interested in reading before seeing the movie.
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/6790000/6794510.gif

oceaneast

06-26-2005, 02:29 PM

I like the name undomestic goddess.

Camdynlyn

06-26-2005, 02:31 PM

Here's what it says on bn.com:

High-powered attorney Samantha Sweeting has just made a mistake that could snuff out her career. In total meltdown, she abandons her office and catches the first available train out of London, winding up in the middle of nowhere. Still suffering from brain freeze, she wanders first into a large mansion and then into a job as a housekeeper. Samantha's domestic skills are in severe disarray, but somehow she blunders through sewing, ironing, cleaning, and patching together her life. A winning "undomestic" tale from the author of Shopaholic & Sister.

It also got 4 stars from a girl who had an advanced copy. Said it was awesome!

lawyerlee

06-26-2005, 02:33 PM

Here's what it says on bn.com:

It also got 4 stars from a girl who had an advanced copy. Said it was awesome!

Yay! That makes me even more excited to see it! :D

Holls

06-26-2005, 02:34 PM

I'll have to read it! I love Sophie Kinsella too much not to! :)

PrincessTommi

06-26-2005, 03:02 PM

I just finished Monkey Business by Sarah Mlynowski. I liked it a lot, v. entertaining. It got me through a horrid day of being sick and sitting in an airport for hours! I put a couple other books by the same author on reserve at the library, hopefully those will be fun as well.

Jonesey

06-26-2005, 03:48 PM

I'm currently reading Oh the Glory of it All by Sean Wilsey. Before that I finished Leaving the Saints by Martha Beck.

Very excited to learn that Sophie Kinsella has a new book coming out!

I have a stack of unread books a mile high! I'm currently suffering from too many magazine subscriptions. Need to clear those out and get back to my books!

ee_chick

06-26-2005, 04:34 PM

I just read The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd, and I loved it. I read it in one day, and will likely read it again more slowly this summer.

From amazon:

Sue Monk Kidd's The Mermaid Chair is the soulful tale of Jessie Sullivan, a middle-aged woman whose stifled dreams and desires take shape during an extended stay on Egret Island, where she is caring for her troubled mother, Nelle. Like Kidd's stunning debut novel, The Secret Life of Bees, her highly anticipated follow up evokes the same magical sense of whimsy and poignancy.

While Kidd places an obvious importance on the role of mysticism and legend in this tale, including the mysterious mermaid's chair at the center of the island's history, the relationships between characters is what gives this novel its true weight. Once she returns to her childhood home, Jessie is forced to confront not only her relationship with her estranged mother, but her other emotional ties as well. After decades of marriage to Hugh, her practical yet conventional husband, Jessie starts to question whether she is craving an independence she never had the chance to experience. After she meets Brother Thomas, a handsome monk who has yet to take his final vows, Jessie is forced to decide whether passion can coexist with comfort, or if the two are mutually exclusive. As her soul begins to reawaken, Jessie must also confront the circumstances of her father's death, a tragedy that continues to haunt Jessie and Nelle over thirty years later.

By boldly tackling such major themes as love, betrayal, grief, and forgiveness, The Mermaid Chair forces readers to question whether moral issues can always be interpreted in black or white. It is this ability to so gracefully present multiple sides of a story that reinforces Kidd's reputation as a well-respected modern literary voice. --Gisele Toueg

I started Bergdorf Blondes but haven't finished it. I'm not a fan

PGirl26

06-26-2005, 05:23 PM

I've read all of the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich! I've also gotten into romance books by Jennifer Crusie. Very witty & romantic.

Has anyone read the Kay Scarpetta books by Patricia Cornwell?? I'm addicted to those.

Right now, I'm reading the Morning After by Lisa Jackson.

pride&prejudice

06-26-2005, 07:11 PM

Finally this summer I think I'm going to start having some free time, so I've got to get some ideas for books. Now I've got some good ideas. :)

Right now I'm reading Vanity Fair.

sparkle&shine

06-27-2005, 08:46 AM

Right now I am rereading the Outlander series - Diana Gabaldon so that I am all caught up for when the new book comes out this fall! I just finished with Voyager.

Brandles

06-27-2005, 08:51 AM

I'm reading 3 books right now:

#1--the old book without a cover and pages falling off that doesn't leave my bedroom because it might fall apart (purchased at garage sale for 10c)--"Gone With The Wind".

#2--the book I started while laying out in the sun in Vegas in April and continued to read this weekend--"The Shelters of Stone" by Jean M. Auel

#3--the book I just started out at Lake Tippy this past weekend while drinking wine and lolling in the sun--"The Long Emergency" by James Howard Kunstler.

sparkle&shine

06-27-2005, 08:58 AM

lowcountrywed

06-27-2005, 09:24 AM

I'm reading Three Junes by Julia Glass. So far it's been great.

tbell

06-27-2005, 11:06 AM

I just finished Prep by Curtis Siddenfield. It was really good and I couldn't put it down. Tonight I'm starting The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I've heard really good things about it.

lowcountrywed

06-27-2005, 02:37 PM

EmilyZA

06-27-2005, 05:22 PM

I just finished Prep by Curtis Siddenfield. It was really good and I couldn't put it down. Tonight I'm starting The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I've heard really good things about it.

tbell: I LOVED The Time Traveller's Wife. Couldn't put it down. I really cannot say enough good things about that book. A lot of people on the WC boards said that they felt it was very slow in the beginning, but I found the characters so likeable and fun that it didn't bother me at all. That was one of those books that I wished wouldn't end!

I am currently reading Wedding Season by Darcy Cosper. Not crazy about it, but I'm about 200 pages in so I'll finish it!

lawyerlee

06-27-2005, 05:23 PM

tbell: I LOVED The Time Traveller's Wife. Couldn't put it down. I really cannot say enough good things about that book. A lot of people on the WC boards said that they felt it was very slow in the beginning, but I found the characters so likeable and fun that it didn't bother me at all. That was one of those books that I wished wouldn't end!
Same here. Sigh. :D I also felt that way about Three Junes. :)

EmilyZA

06-27-2005, 05:32 PM

Same here. Sigh. :D I also felt that way about Three Junes. :)

Good to hear, because I made a B&N run tonight and I picked that up!

Natasha

06-27-2005, 06:14 PM

<sigh> I wish I could get books from the library. But, with a 2.5 y/o boy in the house, its better to just buy. I just finished a Jonathan Kellerman, cause thats what my mom had....

chandy

06-27-2005, 07:59 PM

I also just finished My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and I loved it! I would definitely recommend it.

polkadot

06-27-2005, 08:19 PM

I started a similar thread in another area..Katy moved it to this forum..i am the only one who posted ...anyone know how i can delete it?
thanks

Most recent:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1419320270.01._PE34_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
The Ivy Chronicles - Was very easy to read...i loved it thought it was so funny...Very trendy
New Yorkish...type read...nothing too deep just fun :p

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0060096691.01._PE37_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
Being Committed - Takes a very long time to get interesting...i never took to the book or cared about the ending..Tried but never really got into it...people really seem to like this author though..

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0060085460.01._PE25_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
Every Boy's Got One - I liked this a lot, but it takes a while to get used to b/c its written completely in emails, as most of her books are...but it was very funny..

am currently reading:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0373250363.01._PE25_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
As Seen on TV - i will let y'all know how it turns out..

numberlady

06-28-2005, 04:13 AM

I just added The Undomestic Goddess and Faking It to my wishlist. I am currently reading Bergdorf Blondes. I just finished Expecting Adam and loved it!

JRose

06-28-2005, 06:47 AM

Subscribing!

I just finished Down Came the Rain by Brooke Shields.

I love Jennifer Crusie--especially Bet Me
The Stephanie Plum series is also hilarious reading.

Prep and Time Traveller's Wife were great :)

I'm waiting to read The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants series. Darn kids have them all checked out! ;)

tbell

06-28-2005, 09:01 AM

I just added The Undomestic Goddess and Faking It to my wishlist. I am currently reading Bergdorf Blondes. I just finished Expecting Adam and loved it!

Are you enjoying Bergdorf Blondes? I tried to get into it, but found it boring and never finished it. And I'm usually a sucker for chick-lit!

numberlady

06-28-2005, 09:38 AM

Are you enjoying Bergdorf Blondes? I tried to get into it, but found it boring and never finished it. And I'm usually a sucker for chick-lit!

I'm only about 30 or 40 pages in, but so far I like reading about all these "high society" women whose sole purpose is to look good and socialize. My life is so not like that!

SNK2004

06-28-2005, 09:54 AM

I am reading A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. It is the first in a trilogy... It is sooOOOOooo Good!

houseblend

06-28-2005, 11:16 AM

I'm currently reading Pride & Prejudice. I read it a few years ago, but after recently seeing the movie "Bride & Prejudice" I was curious to pick it up again. Great classic lover story! :)

mrspugglesworth

06-28-2005, 11:42 AM

I just finished the Left Behind Series, and now I am half-way through "Ten Stupid Things Couples Do to Mess Up Their Relationships" [I]Dr. Laura Schlessinger

I know a lot of people think Dr. Laura is too conservative or opinionated, but I think her books are extremely helpful.

ginastorm

06-28-2005, 12:44 PM

I'm reading the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. No, I'm not in high school, but I thought the movie looked cute. I was a little embarassed buying it, but it is a good book about friendship. I even bought the sequel!

Gina

Camdynlyn

06-28-2005, 02:05 PM

Well girls, I stayed up until 4am finishing The Heartbreaker by Carly Philips. It was soo good and I recommend the series.

I just picked up Ten Big Ones by Janet Evonovich. I really like her Stephanie Plum novels and for some reason, I never read them in order. I read them based on which ones I find at the time on sale! :( I know, stupid! I can't wait to start it.

Gina: Maybe I should try Sisterhood again. I tried to read it when it came out and couldn't get into it. I heard many good reviews about the movie though. Maybe I will pick it back up again.

Oh yeah, I also picked up a trash mag!;)

oceaneast

06-28-2005, 03:56 PM

Summer, I cried during the Sisterhood movie. I haven't read the book, but now I want too.

Ericka_Jarett

06-28-2005, 04:13 PM

Currently I am reading: Empty Cradle, Broken Heart, Surviving the Death of your Baby.

bookworm

06-28-2005, 05:47 PM

The Sisterhood books are great--one of my girlfriends sent a group of us the first one, and I've been hooked ever since. Though it was a tad embarrasing going in to ask the 16-year-old boy behind the counter where to find the 2nd one :rolleyes: .

I'm reading Widow of the South . Don't have an opinion yet.

To comment on books others are reading ;), I loved The Red Tent and Time Traveler's Wife; thoroughly enjoyed the Shopaholic books; and adore Jane Green in general though I think To Have and To Hold was not her best book (check out Bookends or Mr. Maybe). Oh, and Mermaid Chair was disappointing after the Bees...not bad, though.

Does anyone want to talk me into picking up Middlesex again? I bought in on the recommendation of a couple of Very Smart Women, and just couldn't get into it. It's still here, making me feel guilty.

EmilyZA

06-28-2005, 06:39 PM

I just finished Wedding Season (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1400051452/qid=1120008882/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-3946184-4607249?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) by Darcy Cosper:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1400051452/ref=sib_dp_pt/002-3946184-4607249#readerpage
I wasn't into it at first... the first 150 pages or so were slow, and typically I would end it by then but for some reason didn't. It ended up getting a lot better. It's a quick read too.

I'm starting Kitchen Confidential (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060934913/qid=1120009064/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-3946184-4607249?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) by Anthony Bourdain tomorrow:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0060934913.01._PIdp-schmooS,TopRight,7,-26_PE20_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Most diners believe that their sublime sliver of seared foie gras, topped with an ethereal buckwheat blini and a drizzle of piquant huckleberry sauce, was created by a culinary artist of the highest order, a sensitive, highly refined executive chef. The truth is more brutal. More likely, writes Anthony Bourdain in Kitchen Confidential, that elegant three-star concoction is the collaborative effort of a team of "wacked-out moral degenerates, dope fiends, refugees, a thuggish assortment of drunks, sneak thieves, sluts, and psychopaths," in all likelihood pierced or tattooed and incapable of uttering a sentence without an expletive or a foreign phrase. Such is the muscular view of the culinary trenches from one who's been groveling in them, with obvious sadomasochistic pleasure, for more than 20 years. CIA-trained Bourdain, currently the executive chef of the celebrated Les Halles, wrote two culinary mysteries before his first (and infamous) New Yorker essay launched this frank confessional about the lusty and larcenous real lives of cooks and restaurateurs. He is obscenely eloquent, unapologetically opinionated, and a damn fine storyteller--a Jack Kerouac of the kitchen. Those without the stomach for this kind of joyride should note his opening caveat: "There will be horror stories. Heavy drinking, drugs, screwing in the dry-goods area, unappetizing industry-wide practices. Talking about why you probably shouldn't order fish on a Monday, why those who favor well-done get the scrapings from the bottom of the barrel, and why seafood frittata is not a wise brunch selection.... But I'm simply not going to deceive anybody about the life as I've seen it." --Sumi Hahn

kmmommy

06-28-2005, 06:43 PM

I'm reading Sea Swept by Nora Roberts. I've only gotten into the first chapter but I'll keep you posted. Seems great so far!

jasonsgal

06-28-2005, 07:49 PM

i am reading The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd as well. I really like it so far, I have about halfway to go...

--
karen

Katie&Micah

06-28-2005, 09:22 PM

I just picked up Ten Big Ones by Janet Evonovich. I really like her Stephanie Plum novels and for some reason, I never read them in order. I read them based on which ones I find at the time on sale! I know, stupid! I can't wait to start it.

Camdynlyn..

#10 was my favorite.. but only cause I love love LOVE Ranger.. Sure Joe is hot.. but give me Ranger.. he's super hot!!

I still haven't picked up #11 yet but hope to get it thursday..

JillyBean

06-28-2005, 10:03 PM

I am reading A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. It is the first in a trilogy... It is sooOOOOooo Good!

SNK, I haven't read that one yet (I'll need to check it out), but I love Francine Rivers. Have you read Redeeming Love? It's my favorite by her :)

tlew12778

06-29-2005, 03:33 AM

Right now I'm reading The Almond by Nedjma.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0802118054.01._PE32_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. This autobiographical novel, which first appeared to great acclaim in France, charts the sexual exploits of Badra, a devout Muslim who escapes her arranged and loveless marriage to live with an aunt in Tangier during the 1960s. France has withdrawn from Morocco, but the city Badra is inadvertently exposed to currents of the rising counterculture, including feminism. Then she meets Driss, an older European-educated doctor who serves as her erotic mentor, awakening her true carnal self and her awareness of her enormous sexual power. Reminiscent of Marguerite Duras's The Lover, the story is told by a wiser, older narrator recalling her reckless youth with envy. "Nedjma," the novel's pseudonymous Moroccan author, has a gift for turning a beautiful phrase obscene and vice versa—sustaining the title's metaphor for genitalia for over 200 pages is no easy feat. In some senses, her story appeals directly to Western fantasies—liberating the Muslim woman from her veil—and it is easy to see how such a book would gain approval from a French or American audience. Yet the novel is so genuinely artful, so emotionally sincere, that the racy subject matter is eclipsed by its stunning prose.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
This pseudonymous, purportedly autobiographical novel of love and sex in the Islamic world will surely be controversial. Badra, stuck in a joyless arranged marriage in which sex is a duty, and an unpleasant one, abandons her small hometown for Tangiers, where she moves in with her aunt Selma. Her aunt is a religious but fiercely feminist Muslim to whom Badra tells the horror stories of her sexual past. Despite her brother's threats to kill her for abandoning her awful husband, Badra becomes successful in Tangiers. Eventually, she meets Driss, the man who shows her that sex need not be for men alone, and their passionate affair forms the backbone of the novel. What makes the book so remarkable is the fascinating interplay between Badra's increasing comfort with her sexual self and her furious, vitriolic response to the ritualistic subjugation of women in the Islamic world. Nedjma writes brilliantly of a religiosity free from misogyny, and elsewhere the writing, though flowery, is frequently arresting. Fierce, empowering, important, and--there's no denying--very sexy. John Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

For chick lit I love Sophie Kinsella, Jane Green, and Jill Mansell. I've also just read Getting Personal by Chris Manby which I LOVED. I'm going to have to read more of her books in the future.

mrspugglesworth

06-29-2005, 05:25 AM

tlew12778 The Almond sounds great, I'm going to have to pick it up!

I'm writing down everyone's suggestions so I have a good list to go on, as I can never remember what books I wanted by the time I get to the Library...

tlew12778

06-29-2005, 06:14 AM

mrspugglesworth Just so you know it's not really as racey as it sounds. Well, not so far at least. I am about 50 pages into the book. It's really interesting bc it gives you a glimpse into the female side of the muslim culture. I'm actually trying to read it in Italian bc the English version isn't available here in Italy yet and it's going a little slow bc I keep having to ask my FH what words mean. I think I'm kind of losing some of the sense of the book as well too but oh well. I can read it again in English when I can get my hands on a copy :).

LeslieR

06-29-2005, 07:08 AM

Does anyone want to talk me into picking up Middlesex again? I bought in on the recommendation of a couple of Very Smart Women, and just couldn't get into it. It's still here, making me feel guilty.

I thought this book was okay until the end-I felt it ended very abruptly. :(

mrspugglesworth

06-29-2005, 10:37 AM

Wow, tlew12778 reading in Italian?? I am impressed! :D

kugrrly

06-29-2005, 10:47 AM

I started The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time yesterday, and I am almost done with it. As a teacher I have worked with children with autism, and this book is written so well that helps me to relate and see "inside the mind" of a person with autism. What a great read!

ginastorm

06-29-2005, 11:12 AM

I'm reading Sea Swept by Nora Roberts

I LOVE Nora Roberts! It's been awhile since I've read "Sea Swept", but I believe that it is a trilogy. DH teases me about reading romance books, but Nora Roberts does a good job with actually telling a story & then throwing in some romance.

butterfly0202

06-29-2005, 11:21 AM

I'm towards the end of the illustrated version of Angels and Deamons ...its excellent!

Rosebud

06-29-2005, 12:41 PM

I just read a really good book called Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World by Rita Golden Gelman. I'd definitely recommend it!

Synopsis: When Rita Golden Gelman traveled to Mexico during a two-month separation from her husband, she hoped to satisfy an old craving for adventure and, in the process, rejuvenate herself and her marriage. Little did she know it was the beginning of a new life, not just as a divorcée, but as a nomad of the world. Since 1986, Gelman has had no permanent address and no possessions except those she can carry. She travels without a plan, guided by instinct, serendipitous opportunities, and a remarkable ability to connect with people. At first her family and friends accused her of running away, but Gelman knew she had embarked on a journey of self-discovery and a way of life that is inspiring and enviable.

True story!!

tlew12778

06-29-2005, 02:55 PM

Wow, tlew12778 reading in Italian?? I am impressed! :DYep. Well, it was actually written in French so it was translated into Italian a while ago. So it's already in the softback form here while the English form is only hardcover (since it just came out in May). It was cheaper this way too ;) . It's kinda funny bc every now and then when I have to ask FH for meanings of words I never know if I'm inadvertantly asking him something really sexual. I'm surprised he hasn't turned around and said "What the hell are you reading?" yet :D.

polkadot

06-29-2005, 07:20 PM

just finished
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As Seen on TV -

It was good i liked it, took me awhile to read it though...i am usually very into a book and read it in a couple of days...

i give it :) :) :) out of 4

PGirl26

06-29-2005, 08:28 PM

[QUOTE=Camdynlyn]Well girls, I stayed up until 4am finishing The Heartbreaker by Carly Philips. It was soo good and I recommend the series.

I just picked up Ten Big Ones by Janet Evonovich. I really like her Stephanie Plum novels and for some reason, I never read them in order. I read them based on which ones I find at the time on sale! :( I know, stupid! I can't wait to start it.
QUOTE]

Summer, I have all of them. I can share if you want to read them in order :)

MsRo

06-29-2005, 08:42 PM

This month for my book club we're reading Early Bird: A Memoir of Premature Retirement. I haven't picked it up yet but it sounds interesting. :)

Katyanne

06-30-2005, 06:27 AM

Yesterday I picked up the latest book from one of my favorite authors
Sins of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon, its a dark hunter novel.
I love this series, I honestly wish I could just be home right now so I could finish reading the book. I'm already on page 139 ;) Here's the book description from Amazon.com if anyones interested.

Sins of the Night
In the realm of the Dark-Hunters there is a code of honor that even immortal bad boys must follow:

Harm no human. Drink no blood. Never fall in love.

But every now and again a Dark-Hunter thinks himself above the Code. That's when I'm summoned. Who am I? I'm the one thing the fearless fear. Step over the line and it's my wrath you will face. Nothing can touch me. Nothing can sway me. I am relentless and unfeeling.

Or so I thought until I met a female Dark-Hunter who goes by the name of Danger-it's not just her name, it's how she lives her life. She doesn't trust me at all. And who could blame her? She alone knows that I'm here to be judge, jury and most likely executioner of her friends. Yet she is my key to saving some of them. Without her, they all will die.

Dangereuse St. Richard is a deadly distraction. Something about her is reawakening a heart I thought was long dead. But in a race against evil, the only hope mankind has is that I do my duty. And how can I do my duty when it means that I will have to sacrifice the only woman I've ever loved?

apoppy

06-30-2005, 11:15 AM

I just finished The Emancipator's Wife : A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln by Barbara Hambly. Normally I avoid historical fiction because I get annoyed with the inaccuracies that always seem to crop up in the name of advancing the plot. I like Barbara Hambly's mysteries, however, so I decided to give this book a chance. If you are looking for a not-too-demanding, sympathetic portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln this could be the book for you. I found it entertaining.

Now I am reading Dating Dead Men by Harley Jane Kozak. It is a Stephanie Plum-ish type of murder mystery.

quest

06-30-2005, 11:31 AM

I just finished rereading OotP, and started Little Earthquakes. Only got through a chapter or 2, but so far, so good!

jimmysgirl424

06-30-2005, 12:09 PM

I'm reading "The Broker" by John Grisham.

I am on a definite Grisham kick lately (I picked up a bunch of his newer books recently at the flea market and off of ebay)!

Have read in the past month:

"A Painted House"- John Grisham

"Bleachers"- John Grisham

"Skipping Christmas"- John Grisham

" The Last Juror"- John Grisham

msnicolea

06-30-2005, 12:59 PM

I just started "On Bullshit" and it ROCKS!

Rancid13

06-30-2005, 02:48 PM

I just finished reading "The Nanny Diaries" last night. I brought "Mrs. Kimble" by Jennifer Haigh with me to work today to get a start on since we're slow right now. :)

Rancid13

06-30-2005, 02:51 PM

Sevilla: Good gosh at those books. I read AHEBB on my honeymoon. Good book! I read the Secrets of the Tomb (same auther as Pledged) and have been meaning to pick up Pledged. Did you like?

I know you didn't ask me, but I just finshed 'Pledged' 2 books ago and I really really liked it. There was some very interesting insight into sororities. Interesting to me because I've never been involved in sororities nor known anyone who has (I just don't think they're as big in CA as in some other parts of the country, that may be why?). I heard about Secrets of the Tomb from the book jacket-was that one good? Was it about the secret society/Skulls?? Sounded interesting.

laura

06-30-2005, 04:31 PM

Right now I'm reading Reading Lolita in Tehren. It's pretty good, but it seems to be going very, very slowly for some reason.

After this I'm planning to read One Hundred Years of Solitude.

I really liked The Red Tent, The Kite Runner, Three Junes, The Secret Life of Bees, Wicked, Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, and Middlesex - though I agree with the person who said Middlesex ended abruptly. I also thought The Nanny Diaries was cute, and along that same line, The Devil Wears Prada. I recently read Prep and I thought it was "eh"; it seemed to drag for me and at the end I thought it seemed kind of pointless (?).

jbenny75

06-30-2005, 04:34 PM

I loved Nanny Diaries. I've read it twice.

I also just started Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner. It captured my attention immediately.

I was excited to see that In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner is going to be a film. I read that on my honeymoon.

Next up, I'm going to reread Watership Down.

jbenny75

06-30-2005, 04:35 PM

subscribing

HussyMcFlussy

06-30-2005, 11:21 PM

Right now I'm reading Reading Lolita in Tehren. It's pretty good, but it seems to be going very, very slowly for some reason.

I thought I was the only one! I can't finish it. I keep trying, but I don't think it is written in an engaging fashion at all.

What did you think of The Red Tent? In contrast, I couldn't put that one down.

jarm

07-01-2005, 05:28 AM

I bought The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants on Wednesday and finished reading it on Thursday. That's part of my problem with books...I love to read, but don't have time when I'm teaching. I save it all for the summer so I spend a majority of my time reading instead of doing important things (like cleaning). And I go through them too fast. I enjoyed it so much I made my DH take me to the store to get the two sequels. I also bought Angry Housewives Eating Bonbons, but I have to read the next two Traveling Pants. I love when I can read in the summer.

I want to read The Wedding, but I keep forgetting about it. Loved the Notebook...book was much better than the movie, IMO!

Noniitis

07-02-2005, 09:30 PM

I just finished Middlesex for a book club. I thought it was a very well written story and agree I have some lingering questions about the end.

I am starting A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving for my other book club.

I love this thread. I open up a window with this thread and a second window with my libraries website and request all the book what you are reading. This way even if I am on a waiting list something I want to read will come in.

MsRo

07-04-2005, 08:07 PM

ee_chick

07-04-2005, 08:52 PM

After reading My Sister's Keeper I picked up two more Jodi Picoult books. I finished Picture Perfect this weekend. It was okay, but not nearly as good as I had been hoping. It's the story of a marriage that is perfect from the outside and abusive on the inside. I don't think that Picoult did the greatest job of weaving all of the elements together. I'm in the middle of Plain Truth right now, and I'm enjoying this one. It's about a big city lawyer who ends up living on an Amish farm for several months when she defends an 18 year old againt neonaticide. I'm loving the descriptions of the setting and the characters.

polkadot

07-04-2005, 08:56 PM

i just finished
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The Bachlorette Party by: Karen McCullah Lutz

It was VERY funny...kinda saw the end coming.,..but i laughed out loud many times, read it in just a couple sittings...its written by the chick who wrote the screenplays for Legally Blonde and 10 things i hate about you...very funny i must say once again...

i give it :) :) :) :) :) out of 5

next read :
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Camdynlyn

07-05-2005, 06:11 PM

I just finished Ten Big Ones by Janet Evanovich.
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I love her books and give it 4 of 5 for a mystery

I just picked up:
7 Up by Janet Evanovich
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Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
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and Lunch at the Piccadilly by Clyde Edgerton (he is a professor at my alumni UNCW)
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I am heading to the beach on Thursday and wanted some light reading.

dragonfly28602

07-06-2005, 05:30 AM

ee chick Did you know PlainTruth was made into a movie on lifetime? I really enjoyed it, but I haven't read the book yet.
K

ee_chick

07-06-2005, 02:01 PM

ee chick Did you know PlainTruth was made into a movie on lifetime? I really enjoyed it, but I haven't read the book yet.
K

I didn't know that. I'll put it on my Tivo wish list -- I ended up really enjoying the book. Thanks! :)

Freckles

07-06-2005, 02:48 PM

Just finished:
The White City Alec Michod
Quick read, but dark story. Historically inspired mystery. 3 Stars.

The Dirty Girls Social Club Alisa Valdes-Rodriquez
Fun story---very Sex in the City with some added flair. 3 Stars

Currently reading:

The Dante ClubMatthew Pearl
Jumps right into the action, but the various characters take a bit to fleshout. Very engrossing, and even a bit scary. Historical elements intertwined throughout with real life men from the past as the characters. It is smartly written. Similar to The Da Vinci Code, but less of a breezy read.
4 Stars

Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs Chuck Klosterman
Addicting read for those that love all things pop culture & have an irreverent sense of humor. Not a story per se more like an engaging brillant blog in book form. 3+Stars

kdotp

07-06-2005, 03:04 PM

I just finished My Sister's Keeper and am in the middle of Vanishing Acts. Both have been very good, engrossing reads. I also have Ya Ya's in Bloom waiting when I finish Vanishing Acts.

I read Pledged and wasn't impressed. I'm sure my views are colored by the fact I am a member of a sorority, but I felt like the author was trying to pin all the bad things that happened in those girls' lives on their sororities, where any of those things can happen to women in college, regardless if they're in a GLO or not. Her research is questionable and her style reads more like fiction than non-fiction.

I tried to read The Dante Club but couldn't really get into it. It sounds like something I'd really enjoy, maybe I'll have to give it another chance.

I'm going to have to make another trip to the Library soon with all these good suggestions! :)

bex

07-06-2005, 07:39 PM

I loved this thread on the WC! I got so many good book suggestions :)

I just started reading Unless by Carol Shields and am also reading Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery.

I'm going to be starting the Outlander series next. I can't wait!

Freckles

07-06-2005, 09:08 PM

I tried to read The Dante Club but couldn't really get into it. It sounds like something I'd really enjoy, maybe I'll have to give it another chance.

kdotp I have to admit although it does begin with a murder it still takes a little getting into----a few chapters to really start going. The writing style isn't as accessible as Dan Brown, but the mystery style story is just as good. IMO. I would try again. :D

pride&prejudice

07-07-2005, 06:19 AM

I finally picked up Pleged yesterday. I'm about half way through it.

MsRo

07-07-2005, 05:47 PM

Since I finished "A Painted House" this weekend I think I'm going to give "Trace" by Patricia Cornwell another chance. I've only been trying to read it for over a year... :rolleyes: :p

kris97

07-07-2005, 06:30 PM

I'm getting such great recommendations from this thread!

I'm currently catching up on my 18 magazine subscriptions, but here are some books I've read in the recent past that I'd definitely recommend:

Middlesex -Eugenides ... I really liked this; I know others had problems with the ending, but for some reason I didn't.

Atonement -- McEwan.... AMAZING. Read this.

The Red Tent -- Diamant ... Also amazing. The biblical story of Dinah told from her perspective.

The Corrections -- Franzen .... along the lines of Middlesex, a big, sprawling, literary fiction type book. I really liked it.

Good in Bed/In Her Shoes -- Weiner... I picked one of them up on our honeymoon, thinking it was just a "chick book", and it was so much better than I expected. She's by far my favorite young women's author right now. Highly recommend.

Secret History- Donna Tartt ... Perfectly captured the feel of a college campus for me. Really enjoyed it.

Blind Assassing -- Atwood... Fascinating, complicated, memorable, it's like three stories in one. My favorite book of hers so far (and I _really_ liked the Handmaid's Tale)

That's all I can remember right now. I can't wait to go to the library and pick up some Jodi Picoult now (among others) :)

pride&prejudice

07-08-2005, 10:45 AM

Starting on Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons. I haven't started it yet, may try to work on another room in the house. ;)

greenbunny

07-08-2005, 03:41 PM

I just finished The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve. I thought it was lousy.

The way she switched between current events and flashbacks was confusing. I hated how she used dashes for conversations, like she was too good for quotation marks like normal people. And I thought the book was 9/10ths mental angst with only the last 1/10 any action. The conclusion was lightning fast and tacked on, and extremely weak.

bex

07-08-2005, 05:23 PM

I just got an email from Chapters.ca (http://www.chapters.ca) that my pre-order for Sophie Kinsella's new book The Undomestic Goddess has shipped. I'm really looking forward to reading it. Has anyone heard if she has plans for any more Shopaholic books?

JBB

07-10-2005, 05:38 AM

Just finished Jump In by Mark Burnett. It's all about how he started Eco-Challenge, Survivor, The Apprentic, and The Contendor. I wasn't sure if I would like it, since except for The Apprentice I haven't watched any of his shows, but I found it really interesting. And now I really want to see Survivor so I just requested the first one on Netflix.

ManteoChik

07-10-2005, 05:41 AM

I am currently reading Outer Banks by Ann Rivers Siddons. I love all of her books and think she is really great. I've read this one at least 5 times and I also love her booked titled , Colony .

pixiecat

07-10-2005, 08:04 AM

Kris - sounds like we have similar views on books!

I just finished Graham Green's, "The Quiet American" - written about Vietnam in 50's, it was more "modern" than I expectecd & had a very interesting ending!

Also read Franzen's "The Twenty-Seventh City" - I loved the "Corrections" but this was a loser. Characters not fully developed & he tried to be too weird... it is his first novel, so I'll cut him some slack! (He has since improved!!)

Camdynlyn

07-10-2005, 11:43 AM

Just finished:

Seven Up by Janet Evanovich
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I thought it dragged a little in the middle and it wasn't my favorite of hers. I gave it a :):):)/5

I am now reading: Lunch at the Piccadilly by Clyde Edgerton. He is a professor in Creative Writing from my alumni UNCW! :D

wander_woman

07-10-2005, 03:31 PM

I just finished reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picault. Excellent book. My next book is Prague by Arthur Phillips.

JRose

07-10-2005, 05:20 PM

I just finished The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and am in the middle of The Mommy Brain:How Motherhood Makes us Smarter

My copy of Harry Potter should be here soon! I can't wait :D

lawyerlee

07-10-2005, 11:48 PM

I finished Faking It by Jennifer Crusie on Friday, and then started Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Once I got past the first little bit, I've really been enjoying it! :)

kcjaime

07-11-2005, 12:51 PM

I just had to pop in to post about the book I am reading. It is Sammy's Hill by Kristin Gore and it is HILARIOUS. Every time I sit down to read it (on the plane, in the lunchroom, etc.) I am laughing out loud. Its like a Bridget Jones type humor in the DC political atmosphere. I HIGHLY recommend it, and I'm not even halfway through!

My next book to read is called The Bitch Posse about a group of friends from high school as they get older.

After that I plan to check out Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld.

Re: some of the other books mentioned here:

Loved The Dive From Clausen's Pier and The Time Traveler's Wife. Also love Jodi Picoult, but I do feel that I should tell people something I've noticed. Her newer books are great, but her first few are not nearly as good. So if you read something like My Sister's Keeper and then pick up Picture Perfect, you'll be disappointed. My favorites by her are My Sister's Keeper, The Pact, Plain Truth and Perfect Match. :)

Sebski

07-11-2005, 02:29 PM

I'm in the middle of The Other Boleyn Girl right now and LOVE LOVE LOVE it - simply cannot put it down! I'm very surprised by how good it is since I bought it on a whim several months ago and never made time to read it before now. Great book for those who haven't read it yet!

EmilyZA

07-11-2005, 03:25 PM

Just finished this today:
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Loved it.

Going to start this tonight/tomorrow:
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Camdynlyn

07-11-2005, 03:33 PM

I just picked up Four to Score by Janet Evanovich (can you tell I am on a roll) to listen to in the car. I am getting ready to start reading Lunch at the Piccadilly tonight. Reading and then listening to a book. Geez!

katmg

07-11-2005, 08:51 PM

Just finished The Pilot's Wife. The word I kept using to describe it to DH was melancholy. I just felt so down the whole time I was reading it. It was written well, I thought, and was an interesting book, but kind of a downer. Without giving too much away for those who haven't read it, when I first started reading about her losing her husband I just wanted to cry. By the time I finished the book I was just sad.

ee_chick

07-12-2005, 07:21 AM

I finished Little Earthquakes last night, and I really enjoyed it. Jennifer Weiner does a great job of taking what could be fluff and making it more than that. She writes about a group of women experiencing their first year of motherhood, and the trials it can entail.

lowcountrywed

07-12-2005, 08:12 AM

I am now reading: Lunch at the Piccadilly by Clyde Edgerton. He is a professor in Creative Writing from my alumni UNCW! :D

I'm a former North Carolinian. Have you read Raney by Edgerton? It's hilarious.

dragonfly28602

07-12-2005, 08:33 AM

Eating My Words An appetite for life by Mimi sheraton.

LittleFredPunkinHead

07-12-2005, 08:35 AM

I'm almost done reading "Timeline" by Michael Crichton. It's excellent, very entertaining adventure.

I'm about a quarter of the way through listening to "Tishimingo Blues" by Elmore Leonard -who I love- but I'm having a very hard time getting into this story. I think I'm going to put it away for a while and start listening to "Absolute Zero" by Chuck Logan.

MaineBelle

07-12-2005, 11:32 AM

This is a great thread.

I recently finished The Kite Runner. I really really liked this book. It was well written, and I especially liked an insider's view to life in Afghanistan. I alway hear snippets on the news about this country, but never really thought about the people living there. I liked that this book opened my eyes.

Also read Middlesex, it took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did I couldn't put it down. I wasn't troubled by the ending.

I am currently reading The Time Traveler's Wife. I think I am the only one who has issues with this book. I found it difficult to follow in the begninning with the chronology, and I always have to look at the dates and the ages and do the math to try to figure out if they are in the present, or if Henry is traveling. Now I am into it though, it is hard for me to put down.

Next on my list is Angry Housewives Eating BonBons - a good beach read.

After that a trip to Barnes and Noble - is everyone a member there?

mama2a&g

07-12-2005, 11:34 AM

Right now I'm reading Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - I've heard about it forever and finally decided to read it. It's decent.

I mostly read nonfiction. My recent books:
Woman: An Intimate Geography by Natalie Angier
Ina May's Guide To Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin
Raising Children Who Think For Themselves by Elisa Medhus
Wicked: The Life and Times of The Wicked Witch of The West by Gregory Maguire

and next on my list is to re-read The Sound and The Fury by Faulkner, simply because I don't think I fully appreciated it when I read it in high school.

RobynScott

07-12-2005, 11:35 AM

I recently finished The Kite Runner.

I was just about to post that I am reading this now - really enjoying it, but as I was warned - definitely some sad parts.

I am really impressed how the author has truly drawn me into this book.

bex

07-12-2005, 11:50 AM

MaineBelle: I had a hard time getting into The Time Traveler's Wife at first. I kept wondering what all the fuss was about. But once I got into it I couldn't put it down :)

Edited because spelling is hard :P

Asha

07-12-2005, 12:57 PM

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0812971043.01._PIdp-schmooS,TopRight,7,-26_PE25_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

"the dante club" by matthew pearl

sort of like the davinci code but a lot more sophisticated.

tbell

07-12-2005, 01:13 PM

MaineBelle, I hear you. I'm also in the middle of reading it (Time Traveler's Wife) and was really looking forward to it based on the rave reviews it gets. But it's a little slow. I'm going to keep muddling through, though, and hope that it will click with me.

Freckles

07-12-2005, 02:18 PM

"the dante club" by matthew pearl
sort of like the davinci code but a lot more sophisticated

I just finished this book, and I thought it was a great premise. The ending was not what I was expecting, but overall I quite liked it.

polkadot

07-12-2005, 02:38 PM

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The Journal of Mortifying Moments By: Robyn Harding

it was a good read...it didnt end the way i thought it would it was unexpected and i liked that....its chick lit with a twist...and very funny!i give it. :) :) :) :) out of 5

sbgirl

07-12-2005, 03:44 PM

I'm currently reading Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier and its been a slow read. Just really hasn't grasped me yet.

Does anyone keep a reading diary, journal, log? If so, how? I started one but haven't been keeping up with it lately so I'm interested in finding an easier way to do it.

angelbaby83

07-12-2005, 10:42 PM

im reading Seduced by moonlight by larurell k hamilton

tbell

07-13-2005, 10:49 AM

sbgirl...it took me 3 times to get through Cold Mountain. It's DH's favorite book so I really tried. The 3rd time I kept at it and it really is a great book. Hang in there!

sbgirl

07-13-2005, 12:40 PM

tbell, thanks...i'll stick with it. Luckily I will be flying this weekend so I think I'm going to take it and try to finish it by the time I get back.

laura

07-13-2005, 04:43 PM

I thought I was the only one! I can't finish it. I keep trying, but I don't think it is written in an engaging fashion at all.

What did you think of The Red Tent? In contrast, I couldn't put that one down.

Don't bother finishing it, IMO. I kept thinking there would be something profound at the end that would make it all worthwhile, but it was meh. My boss saw it on my desk, and she said the exact same thing. She told me not to bother finishing it, but of course I had to. ;)

On the other hand, I *loved* The Red Tent - I thought it was powerful and fabulous and moving and horrible, everything all at once. It's one of my favorite books, maybe.

I think my problem w/ Lolita was that the author clearly tried to weave a critical analysis of the texts in with a picture of life in Iran - and clearly tried to draw a parallel - but I just think she failed. I was more interested in the girls' stories than I was in the analysis of the texts, which I didn't find all that compelling anyway (I've studied some of the texts myself, so I thought it would be interesting).

msnicolea

07-14-2005, 07:52 AM

I am currently reading Freakonomics and it ROCKS. One of the most interesting things I have ever read!

laura

07-14-2005, 08:46 AM

I am currently reading Freakonomics and it ROCKS. One of the most interesting things I have ever read!

That is on my list after seeing the author on The Daily Show - so glad to hear you are enjoying it!

I'm reading trashy magazines this week while I wait patiently (not) for Harry Potter to arrive on Saturday. :)

sheartm7

07-14-2005, 09:22 AM

I'm currently reading False Memory by Dean Koontz. It's a great thriller, I haven't been able to put it down.

http://www.kypris.com/Books/images/FalseMemory-med.jpg

jimmysgirl424

07-14-2005, 01:37 PM

I'm currently reading False Memory by Dean Koontz. It's a great thriller, I haven't been able to put it down.

http://www.kypris.com/Books/images/FalseMemory-med.jpg

I have read that one too, good book! If you like that one, you should read "One Door Away From Heaven" by Dean Koontz (if you haven't already, that is!) Oh, and also "The Taking" by him as well...awesome reads!!

I am currently re-reading an old favorite of mine;

The Tommyknockers by Stephen King

Jen1098

07-15-2005, 05:55 AM

I just finished reading this thread and made my list of books I want to read. I tried to request them on line at the library and it's like someone has my exact list b/c they all seem to be checked out and have like 7 holds on them. I made my dh sign up for a card at the downtown library by his work-figure they'll have more choices than our small one.

I checked out

The Dante Club -just started reading so no opinion yet-I'm normally a fast reader but I can see I need to take my time with this one

Heartbreaker
The Innocent by Harley Coben-I've liked his other books so hopefully this one will be good also
Balance of Power

Has anyone sold books to Half price books-is it worth it? Do you ususally get cash or do you use it for credit to get other books? I've got some books to sell but not sure if it would be worth it or not.

QT Pie

07-15-2005, 08:40 AM

I just started "The Life of Pi". It's pretty good so far.

Freckles

07-15-2005, 09:37 AM

The Dante Club -just started reading so no opinion yet-I'm normally a fast reader but I can see I need to take my time with this one.

Jen1098 It did start slow, and took about 2 days for me to read the first few chapters, and get it all straight in my mind, but from there it was a real page turner. Enjoy!

nordey

07-15-2005, 10:54 AM

Currently reading:

The Sound and the Fury (William Faulkner), in preparation for my Lit class this fall. It's a slow read, I've been working on it off and on for the past 6 weeks! I'm finally on the last chapter and would probably be done by now if not for...

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (J.K. Rowling), reviewing in preparation for the release of the Half-Blood Prince TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!!! I have about 100 pages to go so should have no problem finishing before midnight tonight. If only I could read at work :p

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (C.S. Lewis), reading out loud with my son (he reads a page, I read a page). This is slow going, we're about 1/3 of the way through the book.

Little House on the Prairie (Laura Ingalls Wilder), reading out loud with my daughter. We're only a couple chapters in, we just finished Little House in the Big Woods.

edited for spelling errors.

kris97

07-16-2005, 06:58 AM

After a way too-long hiatus from borrowing books, I hit the library last week, armed with all the great recommendations I've gotten from this thread. So far I"ve read:

Brightness Falls by Jay McInerney (he wrote Bright Lights, Big City) -- Enjoyable, not great. This one's also set in NYC in the 80s, an era I find interesting. But I have a feeling Bright Lights Big City is probably better.

Waiting by Ha Jin -- this book won a bunch of awards awhile back. It's set in China in the 70s-80s, an era I'd never read about but which I found interesting. Like the previous book, I found it enjoyable, but not great. Not sure I'd have awarded it the National Book Award for fiction, but not a bad book by any means.

NExt up is Little Earthquakes, Three Junes, and My Sister's Keeper. Looking forward to it!

papergirl

07-16-2005, 05:02 PM

vegas - your post on Dress Your Family in Corduroy has me thinking i must check this author out.

i just finished reading my sisters keeper by way of posts i had seen on wc. it was a great book and the ending was unexpected. so i happy i heard about it.

today i picked up the devil wears prada. hopefully it will be a fun read. i haven't seen it mentioned in here.

JBB

07-16-2005, 06:25 PM

Bumble I loved The Devil Wears Prada -it's a fun beach read!

On that note I just finished Front Row which is the unauthorized biography of Anna Wintour (and supposedly in The Devil Wears Prada Miranda is based on her). I thought it was interesting-the autobiography-it was weird-I liked it, but it took me a while to get through.

LeslieR

07-17-2005, 05:15 PM

I am currently reading The Time Traveler's Wife. I think I am the only one who has issues with this book.

Nope, you're not the only one. This book really ticked me off in the end. I can't really say why without giving the story, though.

1MegMeg

07-18-2005, 07:49 AM

I am currently reading A Million Little Pieces (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1400031087/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/103-1143915-8415001?v=glance&s=books) by James Frey. I am only about halfway through right now, but wow what an eye opening and heart breaking memoir about Frey's life as an alcoholic, crack addict, and subsequent time in rehab.

In undergrad I worked in the crisis stabilizaton and detox unit of a community mental health facility so in addition to his riveting story, I have my own "visuals" from workingin detox to go along with the story.

This is not a light/happy read, but so far (since I am only 1/2way done) I highly recommend it.

MsRo

07-18-2005, 10:49 AM

kemaji

07-18-2005, 11:03 AM

I'm pausing to read Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and then I'll go back and finish up The Saxon Shore by Jack Whyte. It's the 4th in a series of about 7 books.

sheartm7

07-18-2005, 12:33 PM

I have read that one too, good book! If you like that one, you should read "One Door Away From Heaven" by Dean Koontz (if you haven't already, that is!) Oh, and also "The Taking" by him as well...awesome reads!!

I am currently re-reading an old favorite of mine;

The Tommyknockers by Stephen King

Cool, thanks for the recommendations. I've read One Door Away From Heaven but not The Taking. :D I really like Dean Koontz.

Sand

07-18-2005, 12:55 PM

Thanks for all the ideas! :)

I loved Dress your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris. I want to read Naked next but I'm lucky if I get through my monthly book club book anymore. I'm horrible at reading books in the summertime. :rolleyes:

shopaholic

07-18-2005, 02:11 PM

I just finished "Five people you will meet in Heaven"

jaeger

07-18-2005, 02:46 PM

I just finished "Five people you will meet in Heaven"

I was just considering ordering that one from my book club.
How did you like it?

sheartm7

07-18-2005, 03:52 PM

jaeger, that's a great read! Highly recommended.

chefker

07-18-2005, 04:12 PM

I just finished Stephen Lawhead's Patrick . It's a fictionalized account of St. Patrick. I liked how Patrick was showed to be VERY flawed--made him seem more human, and not some perfect saintly type. However, I was less than pleased with the ending. It was too neat and trite, all of a sudden 'the light dawns', Patrick has his 'revelation (which I suppose it to be expected when a saint hears his 'calling' or whatever), but it was wrapped up in a matter of several pages, as if Lawhead was rushing the ending to get the book done.

Disappointing, as I am a huge Lawhead fan--not his best book (I consider his best books to be the Pendragon Cycle - a series of five books about Merlin & King Arthur. Now THOSE I would highly recommend.

I am also finishing up In a Child's Name by Peter Maas. It's a true crime book about a coked up dentist who killed his wife, and the custody battle that ensues between the guy's parents and the wife's sister & brother & law. Not a 'feel good' book by any means, but engrossing nonetheless.

My next read is probably going to be Blackwood Farm by Anne Rice. I think it's her only book I haven't read yet! Any other Anne Rice fans here?

laura

07-18-2005, 04:33 PM

Yesterday I finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and today I started reading The Starter Wife - mildly amusing so far.

jaeger

07-19-2005, 06:55 AM

jaeger, that's a great read! Highly recommended.

Cool. Then I will order it.

I've just finished James Patterson's "Lifeguard".

Next, onto the new Harry Potter! I refuse to read the spoiler thread until I've read the book :)

kdotp

07-19-2005, 10:26 AM

I've been spending all my time on Harry Potter (read it through once on Saturday, am now doing a re-read to catch all the things I missed the first time through.)

I did read Ya Yas in Bloom last week. It was okay, told some back stories of different characters, but not as good as Divine Secrets.

I've just started The Mermaid Chair and need to finish it soon because it's due back at the library at the end of the week.

Sand

07-19-2005, 10:52 AM

MsRo

07-19-2005, 01:56 PM

This week I'm starting not only One for the Money but also Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

I just wish this stupid final wasn't due until next week so I could read!

jaeger

07-19-2005, 02:41 PM

Aug2002Bride

07-19-2005, 07:45 PM

I just read Danielle Steels Impossible because my mom left it here. It was pretty good. Is anyone else into her? I might have to check out some of her other ones.

Also can someone tell me the Left Behind order..Or at least the first few...I think I might check these out next.

Thanks!

bex

07-19-2005, 07:59 PM

I just read Danielle Steels Impossible because my mom left it here. It was pretty good. Is anyone else into her? I might have to check out some of her other ones.

Ok, I will admit that I am a closet Danielle Steel reader. My Nana gave me my first Danielle Steel book to read, Fine Things, when I was 12 years old. Sidenote: Danielle Steel is not appropriate reading material for a 12 year old girls. :p Anyways, I've read most of her books over the years. My favorites are Fine Things, No Greater Love, and Secrets.

I'm kinda at the point now where I feel if you've read one, you've read 'em all. She's definitly got a formula, but it works.

catch

07-19-2005, 08:30 PM

Sidenote: Danielle Steel is not appropriate reading material for a 12 year old girls.

LOL! I started reading Danielle Steel when I was 12 too. My first was Heartbeat. I remember reading Secrets too, lol. I agree with you, a lot of her books have similar themes but they can still be fun beach reads. :D

These days, I'm reading The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach. Hoping it will inspire me to stop shopping. So far, it's working. I feel guilty as heck right now, lol. Good book, easy to read and understand.

Aug2002Bride

07-19-2005, 09:07 PM

Has anyone read Breaking her Fall by Stephen Goodwin? Its the pick of the month for my book club...

Bloomwood

07-19-2005, 09:20 PM

I am currently reading Peace Like A River It is surprisingly good.

My Sister's Keeper I hated it. I don't want to give anything away, but the ending just made me angry.

AHEBB really liked that one. A nice light read.

The Other Boleyn Girl Loved it. Didn't love Queen's Fool but it was ok

Good in Bed was just not really my cup of tea. I can't imagine Cameron is playing the lead??

Shopaholic books yeah, well, obviously I liked those :rolleyes: for the fun factor. Along with Bergdorf Blondes and Nanny Diaries

The Kite Runner was an amazing book. I never expected quite so much from the author - especially given it is his first novel. I hope he keeps writing.

Prodigal Summer was the last book I read before my current one. I absolutely loved it. Poisonwood Bible is probably one of my all time favorites.

Reading Lolita in Tehran totally agree - couldn't get through it.

I just ordered Why I'm like This and Queen Noor's book. Don't remember the name of it...But, I'll let you know!

Thanks for all the great suggestions ladies!

MurphysLaw

07-19-2005, 09:29 PM

What did you think of Dry by Augusten Burroughs?

http://www.augusten.com/images/books/dry_on.jpg
Dry (http://www.augusten.com/books_dry.php)

Its a follow-up to Running with Scissors that our whole book group liked.

I'm reading Running with Scissors now,(a great rec from kimthebride) and I love it...I'll have to check out Dry also.

I have to say, I just finished Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult and I LOVE her writing style. I also read My Sister's Keeper and really enjoyed it, though I will say the ending threw me for a loop...wasn't expecting it at all, but I love a good twist and it definitely had that.

lawyerlee

07-20-2005, 02:35 AM

I have just started reading Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner, after finishing Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Wuthering Heights was a somewhat challenging read, but quite rewarding. I'm very glad I took the time to get through it. :)

LittleFredPunkinHead

07-20-2005, 10:08 AM

Finished Absolute Zero by Chuck Logan. I wasn't thrilled by the last few pages, but overall it was a great thriller.

msnicolea

07-20-2005, 12:56 PM

Finished Freakonomics last night--LOVED it!!!!

Sposa06

07-20-2005, 02:37 PM

Twenty Years After (the sequel to The Three Musketeers). Dumas is a little dense and a lot brilliant!

SiValleySteph

07-20-2005, 02:48 PM

I'm reading The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0618485228.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I'm trying to read slowly beacuse I can tell I'm not going to want it to end. :)

kris97

07-20-2005, 03:05 PM

I just finished Little Earthquakes and Jennifer Weiner is now officially my favorite author writing about contemporary women. Her writing is excellent, her characters memorable, and she manages to make me laugh and cry during the course of reading every book she's written. Highly recommend. (especially if you are pregnant or a new mom!)

PrincessButrcup

07-20-2005, 10:14 PM

I'm reading The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0618485228.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I'm trying to read slowly beacuse I can tell I'm not going to want it to end. :)

I'm guessing that means you enjoy it! ;) I've been wanting to read that. I really liked Interpreter of Maladies, her first book. I acutally used to work with Jhumpa's mother and it was really exciting when she won the Pulitzer for that book!

Freckles

07-21-2005, 05:32 AM

Wuthering Heights was a somewhat challenging read, but quite rewarding. I'm very glad I took the time to get through it.

lawyerlee Wuthering Heights is one of my favorite novels of all time. Glad you enjoyed it!

As for me, I have just started A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray.
A Victorian boarding school story, a Gothic mansion mystery, a gossipy romp about a clique of girlfriends, and a dark other-worldly fantasy--jumble them all together and you have this complicated and unusual first novel.
Anyone read it?

alootikki

07-21-2005, 07:13 AM

The Namesake - I definitely enoyed it (especially since I'm Indian-American!) - but was annoyed by some of the storylines and character motivations (don't want to give too much away!). I think Interpreter of Maladies was a bit better. The movie version of "Namesake" is supposed to come out soon!

chefker

07-21-2005, 07:16 AM

I've also recently finished Olivia Joules and the overactive imagination , by Helen Fielding (author of Bridget Jones Diary). I LOVED it, was such a funny book. Great beach reading!

Aug2002Bride

07-21-2005, 07:18 AM

I just checked out

The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks

The Guardian By Nicholas Sparks

Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie

Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Tribulation Force Tim LaHaye/Jerry Jenkins

jbenny75

07-22-2005, 05:17 AM

Just bought Lucky by Alice Sebold

PaisleySloan

07-22-2005, 07:54 AM

Right now, I'm reading Heaven by VC Andrews. It's about this dirt poor family with 5 kids. The father only comes home when they are about to starve, and he basically rips the family apart. I like it so far.
I *LOVED* those books when I was a teenager! Yeah, they probably weren't the best books for me to be reading, but I was also reading the Canterbury Tales - I needed to lighten the mood a bit! :D I thought about buying Flowers In The Attic and starting all over again. I just love that story - yes, I even like the horrible movie version. :o

Right now I'm reading "Ya-Yas In Bloom." I really love her (Rebecca Wells) style of writing.

Baltimoregal

07-22-2005, 09:38 AM

Hi! I am currently reading Miles Harvey's The Island of Lost Maps and Homer's Odyssey (the Robert Fagles translation--I am teaching it this year, which is why I am reading it).

I LOVED The Kite Runner. I thought it was a good read, and a great piece of fiction.

sheartm7

07-22-2005, 10:22 AM

The Kite Runner is definitely on my list to read.

Right now, I'm reading The Time Traveler's Wife. I'm really enjoying it so far.

Question for those who read it -

There is one scene in the book that I wasn't sure about. It's the scene where Henry is back in time, hanging out with himself, in his bedroom. Both of his selves are 15. He says that he and his self are doing what normal teenage boys do during privacy and when girls aren't yet in the picture. I obviously know what he's referring to, but I find it sort of disturbing that this is what he'd be doing back in time. :confused: Did anyone else find that sort of strange?

laura

07-22-2005, 10:41 AM

Right now, I'm reading The Time Traveler's Wife. I'm really enjoying it so far.

Question for those who read it -

There is one scene in the book that I wasn't sure about. It's the scene where Henry is back in time, hanging out with himself, in his bedroom. Both of his selves are 15. He says that he and his self are doing what normal teenage boys do during privacy and when girls aren't yet in the picture. I obviously know what he's referring to, but I find it sort of disturbing that this is what he'd be doing back in time. :confused: Did anyone else find that sort of strange?

I'm pretty sure the point of that scene was to be a little disturbing. I think scenes like that were included to illustrate the complexity of his condition - ie. going back in time is complex in ways you don't even think about. There are other scenes similarly disturbing/strange.

====

Right now I'm reading Babyland; it makes me want to scratch my eyes out, and I'm about halfway through. Before this I read The Starter Wife, which I found similarly annoying but in the end, sort of mildly pleasant. I'm not sure I would recommend either. I definitely need to read something with a little more depth after this. :p

framboise

07-22-2005, 11:46 AM

At the moment I'm reading "From Here You Can't See Paris". It's about an American family who moves to tiny village in France and the story revolves primarily around the village's only restaurant. I'm a HUGE francophile so this kind of book is right up my alley - it might not be for everyone though. It's taking me a long time to get through it because lately I only seem to have time to read a few pages at a time.

Right before this, I read "The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters". It was cute but sad too. It was written in emails, faxes, letters, etc which made it a little unusual.

A few months back I read "Wicked" by Gregory McGuire and last night my book club went to see the musical. Fantasy-type books are not my favorite but I really enjoyed it anyway. The musical was great, although only very loosely based on the book. It's so common for books to be made into movies but less common to be made into musicals so it was interesting to see how it was presented.

SiValleySteph

07-22-2005, 11:57 AM

framboise, I LOVE From Here You Can't See Paris! :D I've read it twice, I think, and it may be about time for a re-read.

Still loving The Namesake! Haven't got too far since my baby's been sick.

EmilyZA

07-22-2005, 07:44 PM

I just finished Three Junes (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385721420/qid=1122086563/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_sbs_1/002-2254057-4173664?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) by Julia Glass. I feel really weird about this book... I was excited to read it b/c it got great reviews on the WC. I really enjoyed reading it, and enjoyed the story, but wasn't really happy with the ending. I was just wanting more...

I'm going to start Little Earthquakes (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0743470109/qid=1122086662/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_sbs_1/002-2254057-4173664?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) by Jennifer Weiner tonight.

JillyBean

07-23-2005, 01:53 PM

I just finished "Dead Run" by PJ Tracy (third book in the Monkeewrench series). It was great, but I was a little disappointed with the ending.

I'm now reading "The Undomestic Goddess" by Sophie Kinsella. I'm only 1/2 way into it, but it's pretty good.

smiles33

07-23-2005, 10:54 PM

Just finished "The Time Traveler's Wife" and am about to start "The Kite-Runner." Both were added to my reading list upon my boss' recommendation. Before this, I was struggling to read "Reading Lolita in Tehran" but just couldn't get into it.

LeslieandPaul

07-24-2005, 02:42 PM

I'm almost done reading Diary of A Working Girl by Danielle Brodsky. I've really enjoyed it. Seeming kind of predictable but a fun read.

ee_chick

07-24-2005, 03:58 PM

I finally read Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. I liked it okay, but I didn't think it lived up to it's hype.

Carrie K

07-24-2005, 05:42 PM

I loved Island of the Lost Maps! Right now I'm reading Skeleton Man by Tony Hillerman, but I've also got Wives & Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell going and How to be Good by Nick Hornby as a book club choices. I'm a little burnt out on 1860's novels (W&D) and I thought I'd actually read How to Be Good, but I guess it was a different Hornby novel.

I'm only #190 for our library (county wide) hold for The Kite Runner. I'd buy it, but I have so many books already in my TBR pile that there is a much greater possiblity I'd read it sooner waiting for the 189 to finish it before me. Seriously, my TBR pile is getting out of hand.

kdotp

07-24-2005, 06:42 PM

I started (and finished) The Bachelorette Party last night. It was definitely an easy, fun beach read but I loved it!

I'm currently into Babyville by Jane Green. I love most of her stuff and this one is pretty good, but I can tell I'm going to want a lot more closure, or at least information, at the end of the book.

Alioop12345

07-24-2005, 06:51 PM

I love this thread! I have totally gotten back into reading again and my list at the library now has 46 books on it! I am reading Trace by Patricia Cornwell. I just finished Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy... a quick and funny read. I have the Three Junes, In Her Shoes, We Were (Are?) the Mulvaneys...and a few others too.

Belm

07-26-2005, 06:00 PM

I just finished reading Lamb - The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal It's an easy read and very funny.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0380813815.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

wendalah

07-26-2005, 06:10 PM

I just saw Wicked, the musical--and now I'm reading "Wicked," the book. It's pretty good so far.

ee_chick

07-27-2005, 07:27 AM

I finished Lucky by Alice Sebold last night. It deals with her rape as a college freshman and the aftermath of it. She's brutally honest about a very difficult experience, but it's written very matter-of-factly, and occasionally with a biting sense of humor. Well worth your time, IMO.

Carrie K

07-27-2005, 11:11 AM

I finished Year Zero by Jeff Long, but would have liked a different ending and started The Song Reader by Lisa Tucker.

The Song Reader is about two sisters in a smallish town, the older sister, (okay, to quote the back of the book): by making sense out of the songs people can't get out of their heads, Mary Beth can help people make sense of their lives. In no time, everybody in town in singing her praises, including the skeptical scientist Ben, who falls hard for Mary Beth and her unearthly intuition. What happens when she can't make out the lyrics? But when Mary Beth reveals a long muted secret in the community that no one wishes to ehar, she turns off the music and gives up song reading. Soon everyone's lives are out of tune: Leeann (the younger sister) worries she'll never graduate from High school. Ben can't make headway on his experiments, and the town's silence is louder than ever. Could it be that all the lyrics to all those silly love songs really aren't so silly after all?

Biff looked funny! I'd forgotten about it.

catch

07-27-2005, 04:47 PM

Yesterday I finished reading Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote, as well as 3 of his short stories that were included in the edition I bought. Loved them!

Today I finished reading Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella. I laughed out loud so many times! I couldn't put this book down. I pretty much did nothing at work today, I just couldn't stop reading. I tried reading the first Shopholic book she wrote when it came out but I couldn't get into and eventually I lost the book. I'm definitely going to try to read all her books now. Love her sense of humor.