Just for fun...What is everyone reading??

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited September 2007
    If you enjoy books by and about southern women:
    SWAG: Southern Women Aging Gracefully by Melinda Rainey Thompson. Essays ranging from swimsuit shopping to squirrel battling, from magnolia theft to cemetery etiquette, these reflect the everyday peculiarities of life in the South.

    We're Just Like You, Only Prettier by Celia Rivenbark.
    Convessions of a Tarnished Southern Belle

    Being Dead is No Excuse by Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays. Southern Funerals and all the recipes that go with them.

    These books will have you laughing and rolling on the floor whether you're from the South or not, but especally if you ARE, because they're absolutel true.
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  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited September 2007
    Dotti,
    I have to admit - those do sound intriguing! I'm going to have to start trolling for one or more of them.

    You are right, newter, 'A Map of the World' did include the tragic accidental drowning of the toddler daughter of the main character's best friend.

    CherylR - that cracks me up about your dad reading a romance to get his money's worth out of a book he couldn't return and then finding himself hooked. heehee!

    So many books, so little time.
    Not so long ago I lived in a house where I had a library, which had been one of my dreams since girlhood. Built-in, solid wood, floor-to-ceiling book cases on three of four walls.
    But then I had to move from an almost 3,000 sq.ft. house into my tiny, almost 1,000 sq.ft. bungalow. This just means I give books away more readily.

    Lisa
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  • crami2
    crami2 Member Posts: 72
    edited September 2007
    I agree...sooo many books...much toooo little time. I have a love-hate relationship with bookstores and libraries. I want to take all the books home with me and know there is not enough room to keep them all. Then there are those second hand bookstores.....hmmmmm. Sharing the books with my work friends is a good way to justify buying books (I am going to share) and a great way to get to read more than I could afford to buy or have room to keep. Did I mention that I majored in English in college (a great excuse to read) and my Dad tried to read my books before I could finish them....he always says WE took those English classes together since he read and disected all the books too. Made for a much easier time writing my papers as I had already discussed those books to the nth degree with him before class even started.

    LisaSDCA....I always wanted a library too..with some cozy leather chairs to curl up in and read by the fireplace (which of course we do not need on So Calif..especially right now with temps over 100). Must have been terrible to give up the library, but if the bungalow is cute and quaint it might be worth it.
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  • juanita63
    juanita63 Member Posts: 171
    edited September 2007

    There's something I read about somewhere, sorry can't remember where, that you register your books, then accidentaly on purpose leave them somewhere for someone else to pick up. Using the label you put in it, they can log in and say where they are. Kinda like the where's george on money. Anybody else know what this is?

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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited September 2007
    I just read "Vivaldi's Virgins" by Barbara Quick which was a nice little story. It was touted to be like Tracy Chevalier's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" where it delved into the life of Vermeer, and I thought there would be more about Vivaldi and other composers in the story, but it was more about one individual character. A nice story, but not what I was expecting.

    I'm now reading "The Lady in Blue" by Javier Sierra .. saw it on the shelf and thought it looked interesting. So far it's very enjoyable, even though it jumps from place to place and time period to time period, it is beginning to come together and the tie the story line.
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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited September 2007

    Yes, I do. My best friend's son belongs to this. I'll check the name and let you know. It always intrigued me to do this and wonder what people would think!

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  • AlaskaDeb
    AlaskaDeb Member Posts: 2,601
    edited September 2007
    The web site is:

    http://www.bookcrossing.com

    It looks like lots of fun. I have been going to sign up, but it is still on my "to do" list

    Deb C
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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited September 2007

    Yes, that's the one I was talking about. It does sound lovely and my friend's son does this all the time. I'd love to be one of the people who "found" a book.

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  • bonny1963
    bonny1963 Member Posts: 450
    edited September 2007

    Don't know how much "fun" this book will be, but I am looking forward to starting it.  It is "Beyond the Body Farm" by Dr. Bill Bass.  Has anyone ever heard of him?  He is a forensic antrhopologist who started a body farm at the University of Tennessee to learn more about how bodies decay.  Sounds like a fun read, don't you think?  He co-wrote the books with Jon Jefferson who happened to be my son's scuba partner when he was taking lessons a couple of years ago.  Anyway, we went to a book signing last night and I am anxious to get started onit.  I will et you all know how it is,  I am sure everyone will want to read it. 

    I did write down the ones about the southern women.  I will check those out.  Thanks, Bonny

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  • KariLynn
    KariLynn Member Posts: 1,079
    edited September 2007

    Finally got the Janet Evanovich book Lean, Mean Thirteen.  Have been on the waiting list at the library.  Plan to start it this afternoon after chores (heh) are done!

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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited September 2007

    Just started "The Department of Lost and Found" by Allison Winn Scotch and I'm enjoying it.  Another breast cancer novel ~ written after her best friend passed away at age 31.  This is her tribute to her friend and as of this point, it has been done with love and dignity.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    I'm reading 3 books right now....Nordie's at Noon (about 4 young bc survivors), Saving Graces (Elizabeth Edwards) and The Hot Flash Club Chills Out, by Nancy Thayer. If you haven't read any of the Hot Flash series, I'd recommend them for a light read. I definitely need 'light' while reading Nordie's at Noon....

    ~Marin

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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited September 2007

    I'm waiting for "Nordie's At Noon", requested that from the library.  I'll keep in mind that I need light reading as well for balance!

    I've never read any of the "hot flash" series but it sounds good so I'll make a note to request those as well.

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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited September 2007

    After reading a lot of "serious" novels, biographies, non-fiction, I opted for humor with "The Sweet Potato Queen's Field Guide to Men" which was hilarious.  I now have "The Sweet Potato Queen's First Big Ass Novel (Stuff we didn't actually do, but could have, and may yet" ready to go.  Laughter is good medicine!

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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited September 2007

    Just finished Pam Jenoff's "The Kommandant's Girl" which was excellent, quick read and hard to put down.  A story of choices, challenges and strength during a time of crisis.  Something I think we all know quite a lot about!!

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  • dpbrown523
    dpbrown523 Member Posts: 40
    edited September 2007

    This is a great thread!

    Anyone a member of www.paperbackswap.com ?

    I love that site.  Great way to recycle your paperbacks.  Sorry if this has already been posted, I did not search through all the postings. 

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  • dianeh1954
    dianeh1954 Member Posts: 20
    edited September 2007

    I have been reading anything by James Patterson.  He kinda keeps my mind working on solving the mysteries in his books and not my own.

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  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited September 2007

    I'm now half-way through the 930 pages of Post War, by Tony Judt and think I'll need to take something lighter along with me to the hospital on the 24-29th. The Sweet Potato Queen's First Big Ass Novel sounds like it just may qualify! Added to the list, along with SWAG: Southern Women Aging Gracefully for my upcoming trip to Borders! 

    Thanks for the help!

    Lisa

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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited September 2007

    Definitely something "light" while in the hospital Lisa, and the Sweet Potato Queens or the Southern Women Aging Gracefully would be good choices!  All the best for your surgery.

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  • Jorf
    Jorf Member Posts: 498
    edited September 2007

    Just finished slogging my way through the Harry Potter. I felt like I had to finish it just because it's a cultural icon and my friend brought it to me as a consolation when I was on the couch with a sprained ankle sticking up in the air.

    Read Twilight, which was really fun.  DH read the second two while I was trying to figure out what a horcrux was and remember who killed you know who and what the heck Dumbledore asked these guys to do.  I'm going to take a break from young adult fiction for a while.

    My wood stove has a stack of books on it: The Bastard of Istanbul is actually sitting on the couch ready to read and the new Michael Chabon (Yiddish Policeman's, what?) is next.  Saw a great book of essays at a store last night by the Turkish writer who won the Noble prize a couple of years ago - Oran, Oram? Begins with a P last name.... Is there any wonder I can't remember the stuff that was in the earlier HP books?   

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  • linny
    linny Member Posts: 204
    edited September 2007

    The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Larson is terrific, also her first novel, Crow Lake.  I highly recommend them, very readable, great stories and characters.

    Linda

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    So Jorf, would you recommend the Harry Potter series for an adult who is looking to experience that wonderful magical feeling she remembers from books read as a child? I have yet to recapture that experience where you are truly IN the book, smelling its smells, tasting its tastes and breathing its very air.

    Does anyone know what I mean? Have you found anything close to that totality of immersion in your adult reading? If so, what what the book?

    If anyone remembers the singer, Melanie, she had a line in a song that went 'Wish I could find a good book to live in.' That's what I'm searching for (not permanent residence though!)

    ~Marin

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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited September 2007

    I know what you mean exactly...the only book I've read recently that has come close to that was "Memoirs of a Geisha" which I hadn't even been particularly interested in reading, but once I got into it, I found it magical.

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited September 2007

    I have to say the Potter books did it for me.  I was a kid again!  I found my inner child, and she had a blast reading the books.  She and I were so excited when the next book was comming out.  We talked about the books with my daughter and others on different web sites and made guesses about outcomes and discussed different meanings of various actions.  Ah, it was SUCH FUN!

    And I mean to read them all over again, in say, 2-3 years when I have totally forgotten everything in them!

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  • EachDay
    EachDay Member Posts: 400
    edited October 2007

    I just read Alan Alda's "Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself" which was good.  It wasn't exactly what I was expecting from the reviews I had read prior, but I did enjoy it.  A great attitude and outlook on life.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2007

    I read anything James Patterson .... just finished "You've Been Warned" and it's as good as all his others!!

    And I've just stumbled on Linda Howard.  She is really good. She does the  heroine suspense novels but she also does some supernatural suspense novels.  I read Killing Time and Son of the Morning and both involved time travel and strong women!  Super great books.

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  • AlaskaDeb
    AlaskaDeb Member Posts: 2,601
    edited October 2007

    I have had really bad luck with books lately!  I have read a whole series of totally forgettable books.  I have a huge hankering for a totally captivating book...something that will keep me up late reading.  I love good mystery or suspense books, or maybe something funny....anyone have a suggestion??

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  • myrenewal
    myrenewal Member Posts: 203
    edited October 2007

    Hi Alaska Deb - have you read the Kate Shugak novels?  Author is Dana Stabenow and they are set in Alaska.  It is a mystery series - you should start at the beginning and read them in order.  I have read every one and thoroughly enjoy them.  Let me know how you like them.

    Sue

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2007

    Deb, the best book I ever ever read was called GENESIS CODE.  It is so good and everyone I passed the book onto loved it just as much!!

    Another good author is Daniel Silva and his series featuring Gabriel Allon. The other books featuring someone else are not as captivating.

    But really, try Genesis Code.  You will not be able to put it down and it's rather a big book so it will keep your attention for a while and you will wish you hadn't finished when the end finally comes.  I wish he'd do a sequel on that book!! 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2007

    Oh and Deb, it's mystery, suspense, thriller/murders and science all in one!

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