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Jul-27-2006 03:15

I know we already have the Sleuths Bookshelf, but people there talk about their general tastes, what books they liked in childhood etc. I'd like all of us to share with others what we are reading now, do we like it or not and to recommend the books we like. Possibly we could have a similar thread for movies.

Mar-18-2008 23:45

What a great thread.

For candy I'm reading Ken Follett's "World Without End", which is a quasi sequel to his "The Pillars of the Earth". Historical novel, 14th century England... he writes a good yarn, but he tries too hard to make his heroine appeal to modern sensibilities, which I find patronizing.

I always make myself read non fiction (I read more than one at a time as well) and I've had Goldsworthy's biography of Julius Caesar on my nightstand, half read, and collecting dust since last summer... sigh.

However, I am gearing up for my every-two-or-three-year read of Lord of the Rings. :)

Mar-19-2008 13:28

I'm reading 'The Cloud Sketcher' (though I can't remember who it's by) and it is AWESOME! Noe sure why but Finnish architects have never been so fascinating. Plus it did me well when I had to wait an HOUR at the hospital yesterday for my appointment :(

I'm also studying 'Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha' at school. It's pretty good and it has some enjoyable moments but after a while it's a bit tiresome to study. Plus it doesn't have chapters just wee bits where it skips a line.

Mar-19-2008 15:14

I just finished rereading The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeanette Walls. I cried like a baby the second time through as well as the first. It breaks your heart reading about how Jeanette and her siblings survive a childhood of neglect while having to scavenge for food, wear dirty clothing day after day, and even endure lack of indoor plumbing while all along their mother holds a degree in education, and their brilliant drunken father thinks teaching them Physics while sitting under the stars in the middle of the desert is enough.

So I read The Other Boleyn Girl and Pillars of the Earth too, who knew I’d love Historical Fiction? I could say what hooked me was all the history, but I’d be lying; it was the power, lust and romance!!! I’m also reading World Without End, not as much of a page turner for me as Pillars but good enough for spring break!

Mar-19-2008 17:53

Haynah, you're the second person who has given The Glass Castle a good review. It sounds very compelling and I will have to check it out.

Mar-19-2008 17:59

All so wonderful! I'm currently reading 'Daughter of the Stars' by Phyllis A. Whitney. It's a great novel. Its about at girl named Lacey, how she undertakes the history of her family she never leaned, also how she deals with it all.

Mar-19-2008 19:01

I have started Pillars of the Earth (See Diane's post above). Then I got sidetracked with reading A Heart Shaped Box - this is a horror novel that I "think" was written by Stephen King's son. I read that somewhere but have not came across it since. It is OK. It about an aging rock star who buys a ghost on an online auction site.

I usually read medical mystery novels, but I have read so many of them now when I read the Synopsis they all sound the same and I can't remember if I already read it.

Mar-19-2008 21:03

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - a series written by Alexander McCall Smith. I bought some of these in a 3 for 2 deal and they're kind of quaint and amusing, or maybe they're just amusingly quaint. They're set in Botswana, and about a female detective Precious Ramotswe. It's all very homespun and basically something to read when you want to find something good to think about the world.

I have the follow up to Pillars still wrapped up in its Christmas paper. I loved Pillars when I was younger and really don't want to diminish the memory.

I like a good anti-hero, so have just read The Last Days of Newgate, set in late 1820/early 1830 London. About demise of Bow Street Runners (kind of the unofficial police force before Scotland Yard kicked off.) The main character Pyke is one of those characters you can connect to, but then you shudder and throw your book away when he does something that just goes against the grain.

Mar-22-2008 15:59

Anybody read self help books? I'm currently reading "Stop Smoking NOW!" by Dr Garland Y. DeNelsky. It's actually a helpful book. Taught me that when the urges for a smoke come to just tell myself "smoking is not an option" between the book, and mostly the support I have from family and friends, it's been almost a month now since I had a cigarette. I'm cranky as all hell, but smoke free none the less!

Mar-23-2008 15:57

If you can quit for a month, you've got it beat, I should think.

Good for you.

Mar-29-2008 01:36

Good for you ctown!!! I'm smoking a cig as I am posting this and I desperately want to quit. I have heard that "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking" is a very inspirational book that people I know have read and quit. I don't think a book is going to do it for me though. I think I need drugs. Just need to find the right one.

What I'm reading now.... In the year 2000 the Modern Library published a list of the Top 100 novels of the 20th century. I have made it a personal goal to read the entire list starting from #100 and moving up. I also started a mini-movement amongst my friends and family and they wanted to do the same. I started in about 2003 and have only read 15 books so far. The predominant reason is that some of the books I've read have been tortuous and I would stop reading them for 6 months at a time. Everyone I know who started doing this has also quit out of frustration. But I am back on the kick again and have decided that I will try to get through one a month no matter how painful they are. It's a bit of an ego thing. I just want to be able to say I did it. So I am currently reading #85 Lord Jim by Joseph Konrad. The first 30 pages aren't doing anything for me but I'mtrying to plough through it...