Book Lovers Club

just finished Julia Stuart's The Matchmaker of Perigord, although this is the third of her books which I have read , it is actually the first she wrote. The setting is the south of France in a tiny rural town filled with interesting characters. There is a sort of magical realism thing going on and a fascination with French cuisine - kind of poking fun at it, I think?! A lot of gardening and people trying to offload their extra walnuts and such on eachother. A barber has no business, he decides to become a matchmaker, though he himself has been unlucky in love. That his neighbors actually seek his services is a testament to the universal desire for affection. it was really charming, sweet and gentle.

Next - Louise Penny's The Beautiful Mystery and by the time I finish that - I bet Joe Queenan's latest will be waiting for me at the library!

I also- don't remember the last time I posted here?  I read Wild and loved it.  I also read Clara's War, a biography by a woman who as a young girl lived in hiding through the war for a year in a half in a dug out beneath a home.  It was a good book as well.

I am currently reading The Last Letter which is about a family forced to go live on the prarie in the late 1800's after a family scandal.  Interesting but not gripping.  I have been reading it for over a week and not done yet, which means it's not keeping me up nights.

I need to plot my next read....

uh oh, Joe Queenan's book arrived at the local branch of the library, since it is new, it is probably a 7 day loaner without the option of renewal - I will have to pick it up within a day or two and I am not even half through with the Louise Penney book, will have to step up my game, the pressure is on!!!!

I am new to the boards and so glad to find this thread. I love to read and so do my children and husband. Our get-togethers always involve book swaps. Amazing range of tastes. I consult all of the awards listings and read reviews but it is recommendations from other readers that can yield some real gems.

It is been great reading your posts. I am creating a new list.

I have been reading mysteries lately because they are the most distracting on difficult days.

My sister recommended Tana French and I really enjoy her. Don't have the brain cells for LeCarre anymore.

I have added audio-books because some books are HUGE I honestly get tired lifting them. We listened to "Team of Rivals" by Doris Goodwin. So much better listening than I thought it would be.



What would you say gets your vote for best read of 2012? You all seem so diverse...I am hoping to expand into new turf. Haven't read all of the posts so if this has been asked and answered before, please let me know

Barb

yep!  I second Joy's opinion.....

And...Where'd You Go Bernadette  And Joe Queenan's One for the Books and.....

The Twilight War by David Crist ....heavy reading, but sooooo worthwhile.  And I also agree with Anne...Forget Middlemarch if you haven't started it....but by all means, instead, see the British film Middlemarch with Rufus Sewell....whom I faint over!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY8sfXTHQp4

Wild was my favorite 2012 book.  I forgot to add that although not written in 2012, I also liked Fierce Conversations.  It was my nonfiction runner up

Hey Laurie!!  I found it interesting that you did not like Loving Frank (whereas I liked it very much) since we seem to like so many of the same books.

Okay sisters...pardon my obsession with Rufus Sewell....

Jelson....Here's a youtube video of Rufus where he plays the charater Petruchio in a BBC modern version of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvRpxPWgUPc

I know that the BBC's Downton Abbey is all the rage...but if anyone has the time, it is well worth seeing the BBC's Shakespeare-Retold.  Several years ago, the BBC asked the best British producers, directors and writers to "retell" Shakespeare using modern language in a modern setting.  Four episodes were made including Taming of the Shrew, which is my favorite of the four.  Another terrific adaptation on Shakespeare-Retold is one starring Homeland's Damien Lewis, in Much Ado About Nothing.  My library has the DVD and I am always raving about it!  When my 87 year old mom visits and we have nothing to do (besides read), we get the DVD and oogle at Rufus and Damien!  I have to say that Shirley Henderson, who plays Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew is England's version of Meryl Streep.  She can play ANYONE!

Here's a clip from Shakespeare Retold's Taming of the Shrew...indulge yourselves...if you can tear yourselves away from reading!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw1YT9gt13A

And Jelson....I would invite Rufus to my kids bar mitzvahs' in a heart beat!

Wenweb- Try the Kitchen House, I liked it.  Also, 1929 or Mudbound...but I think you may have already read Mudbound and recommended it to me?

Voracious:  Lurking along as I occasionally do, tearing myself away from the reading every couple of days, and clicked on your link for Shakespeare Retold - Taming.  Now mind you, I have an office chair facing my comupter in an extra bedroom and a really old small screen, but I've sat here through drinks & dinner & ignored two phone calls & watched the whole thing.  Laughed out loud.  Thank you, Thank you.  Best thing that's happened this week.  Now I'll hop to the wine & see about something to eat.  Minus

Voracioius:  I'm sure I will - and I'll be looking for the other three films.  I already sent the link to my DIL.

My nephew gave me an Amazon gift certificate for Christmas and I'll be getting the Joe Queenan book-book (ha).  I'm rereading Books, Children & Men by Paul Hazard and one I ordered On Rereading by Patricia Meyer Spacks.  Before BC my son gave me 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die - Peter Boxall, General Editor with a preface by Peter Ackroyd.  As a one time English major, I'd read many of the older classics, but I have MANY yellow stickeys of things to order or find at the library.

Made a trip to my favorite used book store before Christmas and came home with two full grocery bags for under $20.00 - $1.00 for hardbacks & $.25 for paperbacks - mostly older books & overstocks.  Nothing earthshattering, but 30+ books of fun reading.  Lots of mysteries.  All my newer books are out on loan & I read so much it's hard for me to remember what to recommend just now. 

I do appreciate everyone's recommendations - fiction or non - and I'll try to do better at posting.

Laurie,  I have Mudbound, got it as a Kindle daily deal a while back, but I haven't read it yet.  Also, The Kitchen House is on my to read list. Haven't heard of 1929, but will check it out.  THANK-YOU for the suggestions when you were asking me

Natalie.  Sorry to have possibly upset you regarding the ending.  The basis for the book is true, and I accidently found out how the book ended while looking up info on Frank Lloyd Wright before I finished the book.  I would advise not doing that  Don't be afraid though!!

Jelson- So frustrating!

Natalie- Don't let me scare you!  Just make sure you post when done what you thought of it

Wenweb- Your welcome!  Funny that it was because you mentioned Mudbound that I read it and you haven't read it yet.  I really liked it.  1929 I got for a dollar on a kindle deal and figured I would try it and really liked it.  It is about a group of friends who the husbands are stock brokers during the crash of the great depression and they have to kind of find themselves again and figure things out.

mcsushi- I had never heard of The Sense of an Ending before but read the summery on good reads.  Looks interesting so I downloaded it

I have a book from the library that I keep ignoring starting- I don't recall why I requested it and looking at the summery am not interested.  But I haven't read in three days and need something....