Book Lovers Club

ruthbru

Here is a picture of my Book Club yesterday at Barnes & Noble on Annual Field Trip. We have been meeting for 16 years and once a year we go someplace where we shop, drink coffee, talk about books......and, oh yeah, eat some more! This last month's Book Club read was Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. Just by coincidence, this was the book that the library system of the town we were visiting had chosen as the theme for something called a 'One Book, One Community' project (library patrons vote on a book to read & then the libraries host numerous activities surrounding that book/subject throughout the year), and the author herself was speaking at an event last night! So we attended her talk an got some bonus points in the culture department! Extremely interesting!

 

Marple

OMG, how lovely.  Very cute ladies.

Teacher64

Ruth - looks like a fun time

voraciousreader

What fun!

ruthbru

An interesting fact about how the book Orphan Train came to be; the author, Christina Baker Kline, who is from Maine, became interested in the story of the orphan trains because her husband’s grandfather was rumored to have been a train rider. One Christmas she was visiting her in-laws in North Dakota and picked up a book they had purchased called 'Century of Stories', which is a book about the history of the county where I live, put together when my town celebrated its Centennial in 1983 (I have a copy). As she paged through the book she came upon a story about the Orphan Train and the kids who ended up in where I live. The pictures that went along with the story were those of that grandfather (who never talked about it during his life) and his four siblings. That put the author on the research trail and led to the book. A couple other interesting facts; the trains ran from 1854-1929 and over 200,000 children were brought west on them. One of our former governors (I can't remember which one) was an orphan train rider. Over the years the riders and their descendants began having reunions, when the author was beginning her research there were a number still living (all in their 80s & 90s), so she went to a number of reunions and interviewed as many of the people as she could get her hands on. Before her book was actually published, she gave these people advance copies to read and critique, as she wanted the details to be as historically accurate as possible. Quite fascinating!

glennie19

That is really interesting, Ruth. I need to look for that book at the library.

fgm

Ruth I'm reading The Orphan Train right now for my book club and loving it!

FLDREAMER

I just found this thread.   Wow.   Before now I was so busy with my illness and trying to work that I had no time for anything else.   I just retired at the end of June and have time on my hands to have fun.  I'll be looking into book clubs in my area.   In the meantime, I see some good book ideas on here.   I'm going to try and get The Orphan Train from my library.  Looks like the kind of book I would enjoy.

I am going to Hawaii soon.  A treat by my niece and her mom.   Sometime ago, I received a Paperwhite Kindle I have never used.  Although I prefer a 'real' book, I thought it would be great to use on my trip.   I haven't figured out how to download a book yet.   Any ideas on free books I might enjoy?   I like biographies more than fiction but am open to anything just now.  Money will be tight for a while so I'm looking for free or library just now.   My dual cataract surgery has made reading fun again.    I'm so glad I stumbled upon this. 

voraciousreader

Welcome dreamer!  Hope you enjoy your newest "chapter"... And...this thread!

brigadoonbenson

FLDREAMER - Check at your library to see if they have ebooks for check-out.  My library (in a small town in VT participates in a State library lending program.  I can go online and sign in with my library card number and request the book I want.  They have a large selection of books and when I click on the book (or audio) that I want it is processed through Amazon.  I can check out up to three books at a time.  There are no late fees because the book is automatically removed from your device when the check-out time has expired.  They also offer the opportunity to renew if there is no waiting list for the book. 

They give instructions on how to download to your e reader.  I have the Kindle Fire so it happens automatically for me but with the paperwhite you may need to use a USB cord.

Hope that helps.

Jelson

FLDREAMER - check your public library for free books to download! and they might be able to help you figure out how to download to your kindle

http://online.wsj.com/articles/why-the-public-library-beats-amazonfor-now-1407863714

glennie19

Yes, my public library has that too.

Moonflwr912

fld, I use the library a lot for ereader. Go to your library website and look for ereader and they will have instructions. Also you can take your reader to the library and they will walk you through it. Some libraries even have ereader to loan out to try different ones.  Also Amazon has most of the classics for free. If you like SciFi, Baen books  has free books. In most formats. Usually the first one or two books in a series or new writers. But they usually have favorite authors tucked in between. Is the paper white a WIFI enabled device? If it is you can download directly to the ereader.  If not you need a computer, then go to the site download to your computer and then load it into your reader via a USB port to reader cord usually included in the box. 

Also Book bub has a freebie book everyday. Again in most formats. . Google books also has many many free books. Most other book sites that offer freebies are a bit harder to deal with and you have to watch out for viruses that piggyback on the freebie that adds marketing stuff to your comp that is amazingly hard to eradicate. 

Much love. 

wenweb

Amazon also has free books, quite a list if I remember correctly  I got "War and Peace" and "Anna Karinina" that way.  Enjoy!!

LilacBlue

Long time lurker and first time poster on Book Lovers Club.

Has anyone read the much hyped book (hailed as a publishing phenomenon with rights sold in 30 countries) titled: The Miniaturist, by Jessie Burton? I've just finished it and feel deflated or rather, let down and know better when reading a first-time published writer. It's historical fiction, set in repressive 17th century Amsterdam. In many ways this is a beautiful book, with gorgeous descriptive language, without over-use of adjectives. Considering
that before I read this book I knew little to nothing about Amsterdam
in 1686, things didn't seem that inaccurate to me (take that with the
biggest grain of salt ever). However, even I noticed that the
vernacular was more modern than it should have been. While I didn't find the whole miniaturist as intriguing as the angst, it's still not one of those books that I regret reading.

badger

hi all and welcome dreamer and LB!  Just finished 11/22/63 by Stephen King.  Pretty good read with interesting time travel twists.  The main character saves JFK from assassination, which changes the future and not for the better.  So he tries to fix it and that just makes it worse.  I have to admit to reading the first 150 pages and the last 150 pages and skipping the middle 500 (big book).  

It goes back to the library today, along with The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini.  Now that's one I can highly recommend.  Set in Richmond, Virginia, it's the story of Elizabeth Van Lew, a wealthy Southern woman who risked everything to care for Union POW's and steal Confederate secrets.

Next up is Night Moves by Randy Wayne White, a Doc Ford novel from the free bookshelf at work.  This is my first book of his but per the dust jacket it's #20 in the suspense series.  Anyone familiar with this author or character?  Happy reading!

voraciousreader

So....I finally got my hands on Susannah Cahalan's Brain on Fire.  Her descriptions of losing her mind and control of her body are exactly what I expected considering, last summer, we had a similar experience with a family friend.  What I also found familiar was her descriptions of places all over New York City.  Recall, our family friend jumped out of my car as we were trying to get him to one of New York's top hospitals!  I can't get over what a difference a year makes.  The tumor that was causing his brain and body to explode into flames has calmed.  He appears to be doing very well.  Like Cahalan, he has few memories of what transpired.  That is a good thing because I think he would feel embarrassed and ashamed by his behavior, despite the fact that none of what transpired was his fault.  When I look back, I'm happy to say that New Yorkers, especially the police and EMTs are among the best.  Had it not been for their help and compassion, I think the experience would have been even more emotionally traumatic for his family.  Incidentally, the police had never witnessed anything like what happened that day....and need I remind any of you what goes on in NYC!  It is so hard to wrap one's brain around how one day a person is functioning at such a high level and in a matter of days they go off a cliff both physically AND mentally.  I hope more physicians and first responders read her book.  We all need to be enlightened about these immunological responses that wreak havoc on the neurological systems of our bodies.  And I'm going to conclude by giving a special shout out to those really amazing physicians who can diagnose these disorders quickly to prevent irreversible harm to the people who get these conditions!

badger

VR glad your friend is OK.  I enjoyed My Stroke of Insight so Brain on Fire sounds interesting.

Found the new John Sandford novel Field of Prey on the new arrivals shelf @ library so borrowed it.  Lucas Davenport is calling but I have a project to finish for work so he'll just have to wait and be my reward. ;-)

Marple

OMG, I need to read faster!!!!!

glennie19

I love John Sanford,, have read all the Prey books and the Virgil Flowers series too.

Brain on Fire sounds really interesting. I'll have to look for it. 

 VR,, I'll glad your friend is now OK. That must have been a rough time.

Jelson

just finished Rebecca Makkai's first novel, The Borrower. I was reading the flap of her latest book, The Hundred Year House at the library - but figured I would avoid the one week limit on new books and instead, take out her first book for 4 weeks! so if you like libraries, esp children's librarians who might be a bit lost, young mecurial bright little boys whose parents want them to be just regular boys and road trips. You will like this book as I did.

FLDREAMER

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions for my Kindle.  I'll be heading to the library Monday for some help.   Also, my niece and sister have different types of e readers so perhaps they can help.

badger:    regarding Randy Wayne White.   I love his books.  I happened on the first in his Doc Ford series while visiting Florida in 2010.  The first was Sanibel Flats.   I got hooked as we were staying near Sanibel Island.   You can read his books at any time but if you can start with the first and follow the series, it might make more sense, etc.    He grew up and graduated from high school in Davenport Iowa just across the river from my city, Moline Ill.  Anyway, he spoke at the Barnes and Nobel there in Davenport a couple years ago and had a large crowd who came to hear him.  He was fascinating to listen to.  I hope you enjoy his book.   I'm glad you mentioned him as I am about 3 behind in his series and will need to catch up.   Again, thanks to all for ideas and suggestions.

badger

FLdreamer, thanks for the tip, I think I'll hold off on #20 and start at the beginning.  I like to read series in order if possible.  My mom lived in Ft. Myers Beach for many years so I've been to Sanibel (and Captiva).  I believe I'll enjoy Doc Ford, as I did Travis McGee in the series by John D. MacDonald.  

His books were off-limits to me as a child so I bought them all when reissued in 2009 (w/foreword by Carl Hiaasen, another wonderful FL author).  I see on Amazon they were re-reissued in 2013 with a foreword by Lee Child (one of my faves). hmmm

Goldie8469

Reading has helped me during treatment and recovery. I love The Outlander series.  I have read Into The Wildneress by Sara Donati. Can anyone recommend another good series?  I read Deborah Harkness' First two and I like them-just okay. I can't get into the third. Perhaps I need to reread the second.   

I read The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman. It was very entertaining. All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner and The Vacationers by Emma Starub are two that I enjoyed this summer.  

glennie19

I love Carl Hiaasen. He is one of my favorites. I've heard him read twice and he has a wonderful voice. You never want him to stop reading!

I haven't gotten around to Randy Wayne White yet, but I intend too;

So many books,, so little time. Although I literally read a book a day last year during my post op recovery period.

sandra4611

Whoo hoo! Eyes are back to normal 99% of the time. (Only a problem in the car so I'm not driving yet.) First thing I did was hit the library. I got a Louise Penny novel because so many here like her. How the Light Gets In is a hit!

 

voraciousreader

sandra!  Glad you are feeling better!

voraciousreader

Carl Hiaasen is a favorite of many of us!  

fgm

Brain ON  Fire was very good and scary.....very important to find the right doctor!!!!!!

Radical2Squared

I can not believe it took me this long to find this thread... I read like the dickens! I admit, I only made it through the first 20 pages of posts and many of my faves have already been mentioned several times... I've also created a list of new ones to read. I do the Goodreads thing AND belong to a book club, but I still run out of reading material!

Here are a few of my favorites that were not mentioned in the first 20 pages of posts:

Sarah's Key by Tatiana DeRosnay: if you liked the book thief, you must read this. I didn't even know that France was involved with Nazis!

Charm School by Nelson Demille: I've read all his books and it is best to read them in order, but this is my favorite by him... Russians training to be assimilated into American society during the cold war.

The Mistress of the Art of Death Series, 4 books by Ariana Franklin: A women heroin who studies science and performs autopsies in Old England. The "Bones" of yesteryear.

The Hangmans Daughter Series by Oliver Potzsch: Several books based in Old time Germany when being a butcher was the only job worse then a hangman...murder mystery type books

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford: a touching and revealing story about the relationship between the Chinese and Japanese in California after the bombing of Pearl Harbor

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom: if you liked "the Help", this is your next book.

A Dog's Purpose by Bruce Cameron: I read this after the Art of Racing in the Rain. Written from a dog's point of view, but more funny than depressing.

One Second After by William R Forstchen: ever wonder what would happen if present day America were attacked by an EMP?

Defending Jacob by William Landay: is your own child disturbed? This one will get you thinking for sure!

What Alice Forgot and The Husband's Secret by Loans Moriarty: both books that will get the average woman thinking... what if?

A Reliable Wife: this books starts with a simple man putting an add in the paper for a new wife...but turns and twists until you lose track! Loved this book!

Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight: the loss of her daughter is only the beginning of the mystery for this mom.

Those are the best off the top of my head that were not mentioned right off the bat...