Hey guys! Just wanted you to know that I'm moderating a new reading group on Facebook. We've read our first book and are working on our own genre pick right now, so you haven't missed much yet. We already have 28 wonderful people from the US and Canada and one published author! If you'd like to check it out, please go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/397927290293172/ Thanks bunches, hope to see you there! Heather Rose
Just wondering if there is still a group... Or if not, if anyone would like to reccommend some books that I just HAVE to read... =) Thanks in advance for whatever answers come!! Heather
What are you into? I love recommending books to people but some parameters would be good. What is your favourite genre....author....style....? Ros - Tweedledum
Cara... any novel that involves "psychic ninjas" is my cup of tea, lol. I love LibraryThing and the early reviewer books and/or ebooks they give away monthly. So far, I've read 2 and am working my way through the 3rd ebook I've been lucky enough to win. It's (the third, the first two books really weren't that interesting) called B-Sides and Broken Hearts by Caryn Rose. It reminds me a bit of the book Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist that we read here but it's written more for adults. I guess YA readers could read it, (there's language and some making out, lol, but nothing that would worry most parents) but the main character is already 37, oh my! Imagine, reading a good book with actual adults, lol. It's centered around a huge music fan who grew up in the 80s and her endeavors in New York and Seattle. I may be a bit younger than her, but I listen/ed to the music she does throughout the novel and I guess that's why I like the context. Well, I guess I hold a soft spot for any book with interesting characters who center themselves around music. The chapters are broken into years and thus reflect where she was in her life during that time and what music she was listening to. The chapters don't follow chronological order and there is some skipping around through the decades, but it really isn't that hard to follow. If you enjoyed Nick and Nora even a little, or are interested in past music scenes, I would recommend this book! I'm not done yet, but I have a feeling that the ending won't let me down. I've already invested my heart in this one, lol. I like to jot things down while reading reviewer books so I can remember what to put when I finally write a review and the last comment I wrote was heart breakingly poetic prose. Yeah... I really do enjoy this book, lol. Thanks for the post and hope to keep up with any recommendations you have later. Have a Beautiful Day!! Heather Rose - Heather Rose
Hi Heather, let's see.... If you are looking for a YA book, the one that I read most recently that I loved was an ebook I got through LibraryThing (you can get it from Smashwords) called Stray: Touchstone Part 1 by Andrea K. Host. I also read the sequel and am waiting impatiently for the third to come out in December. My review:
Stray: Touchstone Part 1 by Andrea Host is a YA science fiction novel. Cassandra Devlin, an 18 year old Australian high school student just finishing her last exams, wanders through a "gate" or wormhole on her way home from school and finds herself in a strange forest. She walks for days, trying to survive and figure out where she is. Eventually she finds an abandoned village and works to make herself a comfortable home. She is rescued by "psychic ninjas" or Setari from the technologically advanced planet Tare, and there her adventures really begin.
I enjoyed this book very much. It is written in the form of a diary, which allows you to stay with Cass and learn about what is happening as she does. You get to understand and appreciate her as a character more and more as the story unfolds. Initially, I found her almost too calm, much like Alice after she tumbled through the rabbit hole. But she admits after the first few entries that she hasn't been describing all her emotional meltdowns and fears as they happen. This made the character even more believable. The author cleverly makes Cass a SF & F fan and an online gamer. This allows her to make educated guesses about what has happened to her and to cope with all the new things she encounters. It gives her a language to describe what she is experiencing. Spider Robinson is another author who has used this device well and Host's writing reminds me somewhat of his work. There are also many cultural references which add richness to the story, and which Cass uses to cope with her surroundings.
There is a very useful glossary as well as a dramatis personae in the appendix. This is especially helpful to understand the Australian and gamer slang as well as the invented language. There are many characters who are sometimes referred to by first names and sometimes last names, which can be confusing. However, one of the things I enjoy about SF & F is world building which includes invented language and mythologies. Host's world is rich and interesting and full of mysteries that keep you wanting to read and learn more.
I became so involved in Cass's story that I had to download the sequel as soon as I finished this book. Sadly I have to wait until December for the final book of the trilogy. I highly recommend this book for YA and adults who enjoy SF & F. Some strong language but no other content that would be unsuitable for younger readers. - Cara
Finally hunted down a copy at one of the local libraries! I tried at my hometown library but the book was never returned on the due date (boo!) so, went to the library located in the town where I work. I made sure I requested it online so it would be there, lol. Coraline was just the wild and wonderful romp I was looking forward to. I have to say though, there were two different scenes that I enjoyed that were not in the novel/movie. The one movie scene where Coraline (NOT Caroline!, lol) goes to Mr. Bobo's and his flat is decorated like a circus was additional to the movie (I loved the crazy, creepy glitz) and the scene where she ventured into the basement (no spoilers) was so Gaiman that I think they should have included it! Ok, so yes, it was rather spooky and a wee bit frightening (for children) but that's why the book is a YA and not children's book. I would think that since it was YA, most of the audience would have been YA readers and above and not small children. I don't remember whether it had a PG or G rating. If it were G then I guess that shoots my theory down. Ok, back to work... bleh! Hope everyone is having a wonderful week! <3 Heather Rose <3
I read Coraline after seeing the film and a friend of mine telling me about. I loved it the version I read had amazing illustrations and was so much creepier than the film. I think a lot of people have the book and don't know it's somewhere at home because I only noticed it when I was acctually looking for it. - I'mconfused
Well... I finished To Kill a Mockingbird yesterday and have started on another book. I need to take To Kill a Mockingbird back to the library tonight so maybe I can find a copy of Coraline or at least request it. Looking forward to reading it!! My opinion of To Kill a Mockingbird is not very high and I don't really see why it won a Pulitzer Prize. I was not impressed. And yes, I understand the language was that of the time, but I felt like maybe I shouldn't read it. I was embarrased and slightly distrubed. Maybe it's because I've grown up during the 90-00's and not in a 1930's southern community with the start of the turmoil in Civil Rights history, but for some reason the book irritated me toward the middle/end. There's really no real conclusion, nothing changes, the characters go on about their lives, tra la la la la, after one "shock to the system" after another. Maybe that's why I didn't like it. It's too "real." I still stick with my original opinion of Scout, I adored her character. My favorite scene in the novel without giving anything away is the "snow storm" and them making a dirt/snowman. That's children and ingenuity at their greatest! And I rather loved Miss Maudie. I'm sorry Cara if your views differ and I'd like to hear them if they do. ::shrugs:: Maybe I'm not as worldly and well-read as I thought if my views on this classic are not really all that positive. Has anyone else read it?
Heather, I understand your issues with the book. However, I still love this book and believe it deserves it's status as a classic American novel. As you noted, the characterization of Scout is amazing. Harper Lee's ability to see the world through a child's eye is wonderful. All the small details and all the characters are so rich and evocative of a time and place. Yes, there are many disturbing and horrible events, especially from our current perspective. However, that was the reality of that place and time. If the ending of the book had been different, if justice had been served, or the townspeople all have a change of heart, that would have been made it a fantasy novel. The fact that nothing really changes is what makes the injustice so powerful, The beauty of the novel is the incredibly real portrayal of a small southern town in the depression and one man of integrity.
My parents grew up in the south in the depression. The "start of the civil rights turmoil" was many decades still to come. My parents can remember things getting much worse before they began to get better. I remember my childhood in small towns in the U.S. (before we emigrated). We had bomb threats because we had young black students staying in our home (in Tennessee). Children were told not to play with me because my best friend was black (and we were probably communists) in Ohio. This was in the 60's. http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/what.htm
The language issue is interesting. There is a "new" version of Huckleberry Finn that edits out the "N" word. I think that's like taking Shakespeare and making it gender neutral. If we forget the injustices of the past (including the terrible way language can be used to hurt) by editing out the language we now find objectionable, we will forget how far we have come, and how far we can fall back if we are not careful.
So I am still waiting for I am Number Four from the library. I read Rachel Cohn : Nick [0375835334] Norah's Infinite Playlist. I really enjoyed this one. The dialogue was funny and clever. The characters were interesting. I guess I am showing my age, since the assumption that these teens were having active sex lives did make me a bit uncomfortable. But overall, I would recommend this one. Rick Riordan : Percy Jackson [0786838655] the Olympians: The Lightning Thief - Book One (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) was fun and exciting. I can see why all the students I work with have enjoyed this series so much. I also appreciate the inclusion of so much mythology which, I know from some students I know, has encouraged further reading on Greek and Roman mythology. It was also neat to see a character who has some of the problems that many of my students have (dyslexia, ADD) who was a hero. Neil Gaiman : Coraline was of course funny and clever. Like all Neil Gaiman's books it had wonderful and familiar fairy tale elements. It was just a little bit creepy but not really scary. I really appreciate Gaiman's ability to write from a child's perspective. Coraline is clever, brave and resourceful but still a little girl.
I have a couple of books from Librarything to read and review and then I am going to reread To Kill A Mockingbird.
I finally got and read I am Number Four. I agree, it wasn't a great novel, but fun and entertaining enough. If the next book were to cross my path I would probably read it. I think the only thing that really bugged me was the assumed superiority of the Lorians to humans. Smarter, stronger, more powerful. And most of the great men of the past apparently half-breeds and the pyramids built with their help, that kind of thing. I always find that kind of view of aliens and ancient civilizations inherently racist. Why do the aliens have to be superior, why not just different? - Cara
Cara,
I'm glad you enjoyed my selection of Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. The point you made about the dialogue being funny and clever I also whole-heartedly agree with! I think that's the reason I also enjoyed the book. I also enjoyed the chapters being broken down into a sort of he said/felt, she said/felt dueling sides sort of idea. Those reasons and the fact that growing up (in my teens and early 20s not THAT long ago, but now I'm the more responsible lateish 20's adult, lol) I was the girl hanging out in the local music scene with my friends who reminded me of characters in the story or people I met along my travels. Right now, I'm reading your pick! (with a renewed library card, lol!!) I read the first 60ish pages yesterday and the story seems very interesting and a worthwhile read. I'm uber curious about Boo and the rest of the Radley clan to want to keep on reading and have already taken a liking to Scout's character. I finished I Am Number Four (Lindsay's pick) and think I will follow up with the next book when it comes out. It wasn't overly well written or even that original of a concept, but I don't think it is as bad as all the negative reviews make it out to be. Next, I'm going to read Coraline (another trip to the local library!!) since I already read Percy Jackson. (and boy, that series is ADDICTING!!) So! all in all, I seem to be moving along in a steady fashion. I wish I had more time to read, but well, sometimes we don't always get what we want, lol. Thanks for the great suggestions ladies!! Hope everyone is doing well and are also enjoying each others picks!! - Heather Rose
Still waiting for it to come through at the library for me. I've read the rest of the books except for Number Four and To Kill a Mockingbird, although I've read that one more than once over the years. - Cara
Is there an order we are going in? I just now (literally) ordered a copy of I Am Number Four (and Mockingjay AND a CD, lol) from amazon.com since I guess this is the first book we're reading? I wonder if there is a way to check out the two local libraries online to see if they have copies of Coraline and To Kill a Mockingbird. Off on a trip of discovery, lol!! - Heather Rose
Hi Danielle,
Welcome! I'm Lindsay, the creater of this group!
This is an open discussion forum as well as open for suggestions of books to read! We currently have a list that we are working through if you look through the discussion you will see a list entitled Summer Reading, however please let the books that you are interested in reading! Everyone has input in our "bookclub" and suggestions are always welcome!
Happy Reading!!!! - Lindsay Adams
Danielle,
Thanks for taking an interest! And yes, this is an open forum for ALL of the books we've read so far as a group. I've read all of them before this batch and the ladies here have great ideas and books to recommend. Right now the books we are reading are I Am Number Four, To Kill a Mockingbird, Coraline, Percy Jackson and Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. If you've read any of them already, you can post your thoughts and feelings on them. You don't necessarily have to wait for us to catch up, lol. Hope to hear from you soon!
Welcome!
Heather Rose - Heather Rose
I'm off to see where I can find copies of "I Am Number Four," "Coraline" and "To Kill a Mockingbird"... (because I read the others, lol). I once had a copy of Coraline and after the movie came out I think I put it up for mooch here, lol. Oh well, I really wanted to read it anyway!! I'm so glad our group is back Lindsay... Thanks bunches for everything you do!! - Heather Rose
ok, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See and... and... and... Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan just because I'm a total dork for this book and I think the lovely ladies here may like it. - Heather Rose
Ok everyone, let's say you had to pick a top 2 from your list- what would you choose?
I know that's difficult and there are so many great suggestions!! But in order to get a reading list together by this weekend if you could pick a top 2 from each of your lists, that would be great! :)
Mine would be:
I Am Number Four- and this is going to be series! The next book is "The Power of Six" and it's due out in late August.
One Day- I have heard so many great things about this book from my friends, I think (hope) it would be an awesome read! - Lindsay Adams
I just saw "I Am Number Four" and it was pretty great! I'm waiting for the next one because the ending kinda hints that there are sure to be more adventures to come, lol. Is it a series? Or is there just the one book? I'm super excited to see The Hunger Games on film when it comes out too!(I have Catching Fire on my TBR shelf right now) I tried reading Water for Elephants and couldn't get into it, but everyone that has read it told me I should have stuck with it, hee hee, so I'd be willing to try and read it again. I like Amanda's idea of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, the movie was uber cute. I read the whole Percy Jackson series and LOVED them! And I also adored reading Fight Club (so much better than the movie!!). I would love to read Coraline (from Stephanie's mentions) and Stardust AND The War of the Worlds (because I've seen all of them, lol). I loved Interview with the Vampire (once again, book better than movie, somehow I can't get over the fact that Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt make AWEFUL vampires and it totally ruins it for me) and read the whole Lestat series from Ann Rice. Ok, my mentions...
1. Choke by Chuck Palahniuk (I have it on my tbr pile, lol, and the Fight Club mention made me think of it)
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald (because I never finished the movie)
3. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (because I LOVED this book!!)
4. Derby Girl by Shauna Cross (because I LOVED the movie!!)
5. MirrorMask by Neil Gaiman (because it's Neil Gaiman, lol, and I want to see the movie)
6. The Road by Cormac McCarthy was pretty great (and I want to see the movie)
7. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson was brilliant! (the original The Last Man on Earth with Vincent Price is also brilliant)
8. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (on my TBR shelf) (is going to be made into a movie this year)
9. ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ayn Rand (I have Anthem on my TBR pile, and this is another of Rand’s dystopic fiction) (to be released)
And finally
10. Let the Right One In: A Novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist (because I own the Swedish version and have seen the American version too and I’ve never read the book) - Heather Rose
I'm excited about this...here's some I know of...
"In Cold Blood"
"Eat, Pray, Love"
"Coraline"
"Stardust"
"A Beautiful Mind"
"Interview with a Vampire"
"The War of the Worlds"
"Because of Winn Dixie"
"Runaway Jury" - Stephanie
I would love to read "I am number four" I haven't seen the movie yet but we want to.
I found these that I would like to read...
"Dear John"
"Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"
"The Lightning Thief"
"The Count of Monte Cristo"
"The Nanny Diaries"
"I Robot"
"Fight Club"
"Cold Mountain" - Amanda
Since the four of us (me, Heather, Andrea and our new bookmooch friend, Stephaine!) are the ones who seem to post the most on here, I'm thinking we should take into consideration what WE want to read! :)
With that being said...
March- Need by Carrie Jones (first book in the series)
The best way I know to describe this book is, Stephen King + Twilight + Pixies + Shapeshifters = Need
I think you all will love this book!!!!
April- Marked by P.C. and Kristen Cast (this is the first in the series also)
This would be a "grown-up" Harry Potter but with vampires!
May- Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (again, first in the series)
"Grown-up" Harry Potter + Gossip Girl + Vampires + Hot mentor = Vampire Academy
Rose (the main character) is a woman after my own heart! She puts up with no BS, VERY protective of her friends and loves to have a good time!
I think you guys will enjoy this one!! Plus, I know it will help some of you (Heather ;) ) clear up a TBR book!! Haha.
All of this books have been around a couple of years so therefore should be pretty easy to find at library's and used bookstores. Again, if you need my help in tracking down a book - I don't mind at all!! I visit Half-Price Books on a regular basis and would be glad to help anyone out!!
And as a reminder:
I'll be posting The Hunger Games discussion the last weekend of this month.
And don't forget! Our Feb. pick is Dracula and I hope you all enjoy it!! :)
Have started in on the Vampire Academy with book 1 (which is the last book listed here). le pout. Now who will tell me what to read? Lol. - Heather Rose
Finished Marked. I don't know how to feel about it. So, as a whole, it was... alright. What bugged me most about it, (and I'm not talking about some of the more 'colorful' language or the discussion of sexual contact with the opposite sex, I'm a big girl, I can take it) but the vampires themselves. I like to think of myself as holding a steady Pagan religion with no emphasis anywhere and have quite a few eclectic friends ranging from those practicing/studying Wiccans, Druids, and Shamans... and I think that people should be open to all religions (my personal view as long as they are not harming others in their practices) but is a YA book about vampires the right approach to open people’s eyes to these other religions? The main character is Cherokee (I think) and her grandmother is an elder and that’s all fine and well, I applaud the co-authors for thinking outside the WASP personalities of most YA books but mixing that with vampires? Really? I was surprised to come across rituals like the Full Moon ritual and Samhein (pronounced sow win) right next to ingesting blood for that extra ‘full moon ritual kick.’ I don’t know. Like I said, I’m a big girl and can handle just about anything in literature but something really irked me about the mish-mash of religious ceremonies. They are sacred events taking place in the peace of one’s environment thanking The Goddess for well, basically, life and to just throw them in for dramatic effect? Eh… I’d like to ask others if they read the book how they felt about this. Any takers? Any arguments for it? - Heather Rose
Kaiya, You can buy them if you want. Have you ever tried Half.com? They have all the greatest books there (most are used) for like 1/2 the price of new! It's kinda like amazon.com, I guess. Or, you can mooch them here, (I also am a member of swap.com and some other members are on paperbackswap.com. Well, I think that's the site address) There is also a site that Andrea (one of the other members here recommended) that you can download ebooks for free onto your computer, ereader, whatever. They're older books tho so best sellers aren't listed, but the selection is pretty wonderful *We read both Frankenstein and Dracula here and both are available on project gutenberg* Here's the link: http://www.gutenberg.org/, or just check out your local library. I think EVERYONE here understands about financial crunches so you don't have to worry about always buying new. Any copy will do. AND! If any of us have a spare copy of something laying around that you're interested in, just ask! We'll post it here and reserve it for you! Hope that answers your question! Have a great day! Heather Rose - Heather Rose
Hi Heather! Thanks for the warm welcome. (: I lovelovelove YA fiction -- that one of the reasons I thought to join this group. I tried reading Dracula a few months ago and gave it up. It just wasn't for me. (Or anyone else... ;D Kidding!) I have a question about the books y'all read: Do you go out and buy them, borrow them, mooch them...? I'm just wondering about the process, I suppose. (: - Kaiya Knox
ANOTHER post! Wow, I'm on a roll. Just a note to say I finished Marked. I don't know if I'll continue on with the series at this point in time or not because I have a ton of other books to read. Maybe sometime in the near future tho. - Heather Rose
HI Kaiya! P.S. I Super love your name! Yes, the group is open to EVERYONE! who has a passion for books! *We focus on YA fiction right now, but Lindsay (our Lovely Group Admin.!) may choose to branch out on our whims!! I super love it here and I've read all of the books so far and really enjoyed them... Wait, I forgot about Dracula... drat! OK! so, I've enjoyed all of them except Dracula!! But, I guess it did have its moments!! Yep, we read the Hunger Games but haven't had a proper discussion about it yet, so Start Away if you feel the urge, whim or if you just wanna voice an opinion. Every opinion is valid and open here, so don't worry about any arguments or name-calling!! *We are SOOO above that, lol* Hope you like it here!! Welcome to BookMooch!! Heather Rose - Heather Rose
Hi, I'm Kaiya. I JUST joined BM, so I hope it's not too soon to join a forum... You all seem incredibly nice around here. Is this group open to anyone that wants to join? (Sorry, I have no idea how this works. Please, please, please let me know if I'm going about this all wrong. Haha.) I've been going through a bit of the old discussions and saw that y'all recently read The Hunger Games? I actually read that in February. (: And the books picked for the next few months sound like they'll be right up my alley. Uhm... So, yes. ^-^ - Kaiya Knox
Have already started Marked, the April book of the month and am enjoying it this time around. The first time I made it thru the first few chapters and gave it up as another "teen sensation," threw it online and I think swapped it for a movie, lol! I should have not given up so easily and stuck with it. My new philosophy on books is that if I made it through Dracula, I can read anything! (Well, as long as it's in English, my Spanish is terrible -el gato negro is about as far as I mastered, lol- and I have yet to convince myself I really do need to learn Japanese...) So, onward and slantways!! Hope everyone is having a fabulous time with their reading excursions!! <3 Heather Rose - Heather Rose
Too Strange?? Too Nerdy?? Who's strange and nerdy? ::pushes up glasses using index finger to bridge of glasses:: hee hee... Hi Amanda!! I hope you have a blast with us!! We're always looking for new opinions, minds, and discussions!! WAA HOO!! Who said reading wasn't popular? (and yes, even sexy!!) We WIN!! - Heather Rose
Hi Amanda!!!!! That is so cute!! Aww we're all like sisters here!! Glad to hear your enjoying the book!
Heather- Yeah my computer at work is sooo slow so I can barely do anything on them..but work..and who wants to work at work? lol
Again welcome Amanda! hope we're not too strange and nerdy for you guys ;-) - Andrea
HI! I just joined the forum. Im Stephanie's partner Amanda :) I've really enjoyed the Hunger Games so far and can't wait for our discussion. We are really excited about the books chosen! Just wanted to say Hello to everyone! :) - Amanda
I think it was probably me that told you about half.com, lol... I can't get into it at work, because our computer are Macs from oh, 1990 or so... the 1 program I'm running hasn't been updated since 1998!! Oh technology, how you elude me so... =) - Heather Rose
Heather!! Go on Half.com! Amazon is expensive. I could have gotten Marked for you for 3.50 free shipping on Paperbackswap.
Awww boo! I think someone in THIS forum actually told me about 'Half.com' after I spent money on Amazon. I do spend less on half.com than Amazon.
Anyone would like to mooch...
1.) Specials
2.) The Last Days (Peeps #2)
3.) Midnighters #2
4.) Midnighters #3
ALL BOOKS
by Scott Westerfeld
I love books by Scott Westerfeld. I can't believe he has written so many completly different series. Uglies, Midnighters, Peeps. He's a very talented writer.
Let me know if anyone wants these..
Great Picks everybody!!! I'm stoked!!
I'm 'wishing' for Vampire Academy & Need. Gotta start reading Dracula too! - Andrea
*update on my special buying prowlness* Bought Need for less than 6.50, Marked for less than 4... AND! to get the Super Saver Shipping, (I love the free shipping even if it does mean I have to order more!! lol) I bought myself an anime I wanted AND the 25th anniversary edition of the Care Bears... and VOILA!! I got my free shipping!!
(and my credit card sighs... it's hoping it doesn't get used again today... But, the day is young ladies!!) lol - Heather Rose
Cara, I want to read Stardust! (and from your review, now even more, lol). Have you ever read Neverwhere? I adored it!! I have Good Omens on my shelf tbr along with three other shelves of books, lol. There are never enough hours in the day! If I could only get a job somewhere being a professional reader, and then blog reveiws or something, I would be set!! Thanks for sharing your reviews!! - Heather Rose
I read and enjoyed one of my "pick it for me" books: Stardust by Neil Gaiman. I have read other Neil Gaiman books before and really liked this one. It was like a kindler, gentler Neil Gaiman with lots of familiar fairy tale elements. I enjoyed it very much. The other one I tried was The House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo. I'm afraid I didn't like this one as much. I have trouble with books that depend on the plot device of one character keeping information from other character(s) which if the information had been shared would have kept all kinds of problems from happening. And a man deliberately putting his children and wife in a potentially dangerous situation without telling them *really* bugs me. Hunger Games is being carried around by lots of kids in my school. I look forward to the discussion. - Cara
Stephanie (and the rest of the lovely ladies here!!) I started one of your pick-it-for-me books! (Finally, right?). Yesterday I started Caitlin R. Kiernan : Daughter Of Hounds and am quite into it right now! I brought it into work with me, lol so I can pass the time productively (well, my sense of productivity may be different than my boss's, lol) Thanks bunches for recommending it to me! - Heather Rose
I've enjoyed the Need series as well. I've read all three and dying to read the next. I love the characters who are very real and strong. They don't whine about what's wrong, they just do something about it! - Amy
I rather did enjoy Need. No Spoilers, just some thoughts. It read like Twilight (but the synopsis on Amazon.com told me that so I was prepared) but I enjoyed it more than ANY of the Twilight books. Need seems darker somehow and actually, if one believes in weres and pixies, more true to life. Maybe it was just the writing style and the focus to details (the pixie character traits were the best) that I enjoyed more than Twilight but the ideas also seemed more hashed out and the characters felt more relevant. I LOVE loved Is’s character, lol. Mmk, I’m done for now, lol. Hope to hear from everyone as to their thoughts about the book if they so choose to read it!! Heather Rose - Heather Rose
done with The Hunger Games, but haven't even touched the pick-it books yet. I've been reading other books that have been cluttering up my shelves for way too long!! Brought Need to work tho, and will prob. start reading it today sometime. Hope to hear from everyone soon!! Heather Rose - Heather Rose
Congratulations Heather! I tried but failed abysmally. I did succeed in reading two of the books recommended by my bookclub partner, which I will review when I am not a work and supposed to be doing something else;) - Cara
I forgot why this is the third time I've tried to read this novel. Then I remembered... One word: Mina!! Sometimes, oh everytime I have to hear her drone on about some such nonsense, and it is for surely nonsense, I wish she were quite real and I weren't so composed for methinks I would make merry and haul off and punch her in the face for larks!! Lucy is bad enough, but I've already written her off as a twit. Mina should know better than to be so vapid mostoftentimes. I have, however, made it further than I ever have in my trials with this novel before this time!! Wow, I don't know if that sentence made sense!! Stay away from my head, Mina... As Dracula needs to learn self control around necks so to does Mina need to learn how to keep ones attention and gain a self control in her writings (I care not about the sea and its... foaminess and the way the light refracts to make... lightiness)!! Bram Stocker, how you forsake my heart with thoughts of more Mina!! Starting Chapter 9 sometime today! Toodles, Heather Rose
So now that you have your "person" to chose for, here is a list of catagories you can make suggestions in! I chose to go with a "January" theme for this first month- hopefully this will make it a little easier to chose books for your partner!
Here we go!
A. Try Something New
1. New Author- have you read someone lately that you'd love to share with a friend? Or an author you've been wanting to read? Suggest them here!
2. New Series- do you have a series that you LOVE and feel others would like too? List it here!
3. New Genre- check out your partners mooch list (keep in mind some of us mooch for the Angel Network though!)- notice they typically read just one genre all the time? Or two? Then suggest a new genre they may not have thought about reading before!
B. Better Year- Better You
1. Lose Weight!- check out your partners wishlist, see a book on there that has moochable copies but they haven't mooched it yet? Suggest it here! If none listed, perhaps picks a book that Amazon has listed for a .01 so it's one less book on that person's wishlist!
2. Save $$- suggest a book that you liked (but didn't love, or you feel you wouldn't love) for your partner to check out for free from their library!
3. Enjoy Life More!- pick a book that you feel would be a fun read for your partner! The idea for this catagory is to chose something your partner can read after a hard day at work, or school and they need something to unwind that doesn't take much focus! And yes, cheesy romance novels could apply here! :)
Well, there you have it! I hope you all will enjoy this challenge and the categories listed!!!
Please try to make your suggestions no later than this Thursday, January 20th, so that we can get started reading!! Also, please make all suggestions using this forum (and not a new message).
I look forward to everyone suggestions (I'm sure I'll be adding a ton of books to my reading list!) and if you need help PLEASE email me!!! I've gotten to know most of you pretty well through Bookmooch and I would be happy to help anyone who might need a few ideas for their partner!
Hey Everyone!
My wishlist is growing! When my boyfriend gets home from work late night he has yet to find me without stacks and piles of books surrounding me in bed. Poor thing has to move them all and put them on the shelves. LOL
Cara I put all of your suggestions on my wishlist. I have Kabul Beauty School, so I'll read that soon. Thank you so much!
It's nice to read what others are reading too. I added some of the others to my wishlist as well. Heather I just got the Cirque de freak #1 and 2. My other friend reccommend it!
Has anyone read "Silver is for Secrets" by Laurie Faria Stolarz. It's a series..I was thinking about getting it.
Anyway..blah back to work - Andrea
Thanks Andrea :) I know it was tough but sounds like you picked great books. I haven't read any of them but I have heard of a few of them. Thanks for giving it so much thought I'm excited to get started. :) ~amanda - Amanda
Heather--I almost tried that but then I didn't because I didn't know if the URLs would change when it posted or not. At least I know now. Thanks :)
Lindsay--Thanks for the recommendations. Time to do some research...Can't wait :) - Stephanie
Hi Heather!
Thanks for the great picks!!!
I've actually read Jen Lancaster- I love her books!!! Did you know she's publishing a fiction novel that is supposed to be due out this year? I'm so excited about that!! :)
After looking over your list, I'm going to chose:
Gregory Maguire- Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
and
Robert Jordan- New Spring (A Wheel of Time Prequel)
I'm looking forward to them!! Thanks so much for the great suggestions!!! :) - Lindsay Adams
For Stephaine:
Sorry it's taken me so long!! I have actually put A LOT of thought into your picks which caused me to rack my brain for days!! Soooo...I hope you enjoy them!! :)
A)
1. New Author: Kathryn Stockett is an author I highly recommend! Her novel "The Help" is widely popular and they are filming a movie based on the book now, I believe. It takes place in the South during the 60's and it is the story of three women who will all touch your heart!
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/kathryn-stockett/help.htm
2. New Series: Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Last Survivors, Book 1)
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/p/susan-beth-pfeffer/life-as-we-knew-it.htm
The best way I know how to describe this book: the car crash you KNOW you should look away from, but you CAN'T do it! Seriously, I read this book in one night. This book gave me chills the entire time I was reading it! Please, please, please check it out! :)
3. New Genre: Welcome to the world of Sci-Fi/Romance/Mystery! J.D. Robb (Nora Robert's pen name) has created a furturistic world of action, adventure and romance- what could be better right?!?! Plus, there are always copies of these books on Bookmooch! However, I would start with the first one: Naked in Death. I think you'll grow to love the main character, Eve Dallas, she is someone I would love to hang out with!
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/r/j-d-robb/naked-in-death.htm
B)
1. Lose Weight: The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/nathaniel-hawthorne/scarlet-letter.htm
A classic! I adore this book! And if you want a good laugh- watch the movie "Easy A" with Emma Stone (they are studying this book in high school, in the movie), it's a great Friday night movie! :)
2. Save $$: "Once Dead, Twice Shy" by Kim Harrison
Please, oh please don't waste your money buying this book! It's not worth it!! This is one that you need to visit your local library to get! The story is dull and predictable and the characters really make it hard for you to like them. Save your hard, earned money on a better book! :)
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/kim-harrison/once-dead-twice-shy.htm
3. Enjoy Life More: "Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World"
I recommend this light-hearted, feel good novel to you. If your an animal lover at all (regardless of cat or dog) you will love this book! It makes you smile while reading and I love that kind of book after a long day! :)
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/vicki-myron/dewey.htm
Well, there you have it! I hope you find something that your interested in to read! :)
Happy Reading!!!
Lindsay :) - Lindsay Adams
Stephanie, just a quick note, (but I may ramble, lol). Just wanted to let you know I bought two of your recommendations, Tunnels and Daughter of Hounds. Will let everyone know what I thought... Um... Sometime!! The books I'm reading now are taking WAY TOO long to finish, lol. Also, you are not "uncool" just because you don't link to books, lol!! We just have WAY TOO much time on our hands. =) I open two windows to BM, with one on this page and the other at the home page. You can simply type in the book you're looking up and after it opens and you find the right version (which can take awhile sometimes), every book has a url link at the bottom of the page. You can just copy that url into a comment section here or on any other forum and TA DA! Links to books!! Mmmk, back to work!! (For a bit anyway,lol) Hope you're day is great, Heather Rose - Heather Rose
Thanks Stephanie!! Now, off to research!! You're pretty awesome at picking books I haven't read!! Out of the 6, I've only read Sideways Stories from Wayside School. (I think I've read all of the Waysides actually). =) - Heather Rose
Books for Heather:
Apparently I not as cool as Heather and Cara...I couldn't figure out how to do the links :(
A. Try Something New...
1. New Author--Caitlin Kiernan: Daughter of Hounds --I noticed Neil Gaiman on your wishlist and I was once told that when he got his start he worked with this author very closely.
2. New Series--Rick Riordan: The Lost Hero (Heros of Olympus series) --This one is on my TBR list. He is the author of the Percy Jackson series as well.
3. New Genre--Erin Hunter: Into the Wild (Warriors series) --Instead of vampires and werewolves let's try an ordinary house cat who joins a gang of feral cats and trains to become a warrior. This one really seems to be hit lately. My little cousin just got a box set for Christmas and I've been thinking about borrowing them.
B. Better Year-Better You...
1. Lose Weight--Roderick Gordon: Tunnels --I looked through your wishlist and the only books that are moochable you've already tried to get and haven't seemed to work out for you so I picked one that was listed for a penny and that the description sounded interesting lol ;)
2. Save $$ --Barbara Park: Mick Harte was Here --This book is near and dear to my heart. This is definitely one that you can pick up at the library (it won an award here in GA back in 96-97). My teacher read this aloud in class in 2000. A few weeks later we lost my 18 year old brother (who was also my best friend) in a car accident. For weeks, even months this book stayed with me but I didn't know the title. Now ten years later one of our professors last semester helped me track down the book and I read it again. Truly a book that will stick with me forever.
3. Enjoy Life More --Louis Sachar: Sideways Stories from Wayside School --You mentioned that you have read some of Sachar's books and this is on our TBR list as well (mooched it the other day and we're waiting for it to get here) seems like it will be a quirky fun book to read to lighten the mood after a long day of work.
Hopefully you'll find at least one or two that spark your curiousity :) - Stephanie
Well Cara I am going to try my best to pick some good ones for you. I am less experienced in the bookworm world and have not been immersed into as many books, authors, and series. I am excited to be reading again and loving all the great books this group is opening my eyes too. My TBR list is getting longer by the day. So here are my suggestions…
A. Try Something New
1. New Author - I am excited to read a series by the author Robert Liparulo. He is the author of the Dreamhouse Kings series and he sounds like he has several other books worth looking into. So I am recommending him as the new author and leaning toward House of Dark shadows which is the first book in the Dreamhouse Kings series and also on my TBR list!
2. New Series - I saw that you had mooched some of the Animorph series by Katherine Applegate and found the Everworld series. This series is also by Katherine Applegate and sounded like a good series I thought you might like.
3. New Genre - I dicided to go with something random here and I thought of a book I had to read in a college course. Kindred by Octavia Butler was a book I did not expect to be so interesting. Out of all the books based on slavery that we had to read for this class this one stood out to me and I remember its storyline the most.
B.Better Year Better You
1. Lose Weight - I checked out your mooch list and out of the few that have moochable copies I would mooch A Devil in the Details: A Jesse James Dawson Novel. By: K.A. Stewart. Its sounded like a good read.
2. Save $ - Well I tried to think of something I had seen at my library and thought of getting lately that I thought I might like. Stardust by Neil Gaiman came to mind. I have watched the movie and loved it and just saw the book. I hear good things about Neil Gaiman and thought that this would be a good suggestion.
3. Enjoy Life More - Well I just finished reading Holes by: Louis Sachar. I read it when I was younger and have seen the movie many times. I loved picking this book up again. I love the story line and the humor makes me laugh out loud. I love this book and if you haven’t read it or seen the movie I highly recommend it for a good quick read.
I hope you like some of my suggestions and I look forward to seeing what Andrea comes up with for me. :) - Amanda
Hey guys! I just started looking up books to suggest and realized that I feel bad for Andrea because I just started on Bookmooch to join you guys. I had been just watching steph. I am excited about the challenge and just wanted to tell Andrea to recommend anything. I am excited to try anything new. Im sorry my bookmooch account is no help. - Amanda
Lindsay, Here are my suggestions!! Hope you find one or two books that peak your curiosity!!
A. Try Something New
1. New Author- Gregory Maguire; He wrote The Wicked Series (Wicked, Son of a Witch, and A Lion Among Men), along with other novels involving the “second-rate” characters of old tales and fables. There are several copies of “Wicked” up for mooch (which I have already read), but I would recommend Gregory Maguire : Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister: A Novel as it is my favorite of his books. (I’ve also read Mirror, Mirror. I have Son of a Witch TBR along with A Lion Among Men and am mid-mooch to receive Lost)
2. New Series- I have to admit to LOVING the Cirque Du Freak series by Darren Shan. Yes, they are children’s novels, but they are well-written, have good character development and are full of action. (If you loved Goosebumps as a kid, I’d say this would be a step-up from those, lol) Darren Shan : A Living Nightmare (Cirque du Freak, Book 1) (Book 1) I’m up to book 7, lol. (Need books 8&9 to finish up the series, but have 10-12 already, hee hee)
3. New Genre- ok, so here is me being an Uber-Dork, I super-heart the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (all in all there are going to be 14 books. Book 14 will be released in 2012… Le Pout!! I’m reading Book 13 right now. The books are quite lengthy, there is one that’s over 900 pages, but I recommend, Robert Jordan : New Spring (A Wheel of Time Prequel Novel) (It’s the prequel to the series, released after some of the books were released in the series, and the shortest to boot, lol) It will give you a basic idea what’s going on and if you decide you don’t like it, you won’t be into the series that much, but if you do, then AWESOME!! Another good thing, I found my copy of it at Dollar Tree, No Kidding!!) So, it can’t be that much anywhere else.
B. Better Year- Better You
1. Lose Weight!- Ken Follett : The Pillars of the Earth Saw that there was a few copies available!! (Can’t say I ever read it though)
2. Save $$- Cormac McCarthy : The Road (Movie Tie-in Edition 2009) (Vintage International) I read the book before seeing the movie (ok, I haven’t seen the movie yet, lol) It’s a fast read and for all of the short, choppy sentences and ramblings of the main character (only really two main characters, the father and the son), it’s a decent book. I lent my copy to a co-worker after he saw me reading it at work and he really wanted to read it after seeing the movie. I’m sure most libraries carry it as it is a best-seller. If you like dystopian post-apocalyptic novels, this is a good read. Not great, but good!
3. Enjoy Life More!- Jen Lancaster : Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office The book is about a woman facing the financial strain of losing her job, but Jen Lancaster has a way with words!! She really is a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass (as the title implies) and the book has a wonderful humor to it. I laughed out loud more than a few times with her quirky comments, straight-to-the point questioning and her lack of couth make for some hilarious dialogue!!
(Oh, the other books I could recommend!! LOL! But, I'll stop there!!) Hope you find one or two books you want to read!!
Best Reading!!
Heather - Heather Rose
Recommendations for Andrea:
I am not sure which category these all fall in, but I'll state the reason for my recommendations.
Barbara Bretton : Casting Spells Because you have Charlaine Harris on your wishlist. The first in a series, a cross between cozy mystery and paranormal romance.
Thomas Moore : Soul Mates Since you have some relationship books on your wishlist and you've mooched Care of the Soul (loved that book).
Emma Bull : Finder: A Novel of the Borderlands YA fantasy. For obvious reasons;) A bit harder to find but worth it if you can. Or
Emma Bull : War for the Oaks: A Novel if you can't find the first one, same author.
Jes Battis : Night Child First in an urban fantasy/mystery with a touch of romance series which happens to take place in an alternate universe version of my hometown.
Shanna Swendson : Enchanted, Inc.: A Novel For the "you need a break" category. Laugh out loud funny cross between chicklit and paranormal romance
Deborah Rodriguez : Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil Probably a library find and because you have some books about Islam on your wishlist.
BTW I have a well loved copy of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho if you would like it. I noticed it was on your wishlist.
I hope you find a couple in there to entice you, happy reading, Cara - Cara
Thanks to Andrea for recommending Project Gutenberg to me beforehand, I've just downloaded my version!! For those that want to find it, just go to Project Guentberg and type in Dracula, or the ebook # is 345. They have TONS of free ebooks from decades past whose copyrights have expired and thusly, can be shared with the world. Hope everyone finds something interesting if they check out the site! <3 always!! Heather Rose
I'm not sure I belong in this forum, although I could be accurately described as a bookworm. BUT . . . I don't go for most of the books listed on BM. I detest endless series of formula books which recycle a character and soon you don't remember which book is which. I am against "conspiracies to take over the world" -- what are they going to do with it if they get it. I am also violently allergic to serial killers, vampires, psychics, so-called horror (what can top the Holocaust, Hiroshima & Nagasaki, and casual genocides?), science fiction and sappy (aren't they all, though?) romances. Oprah's choices are not mine at all. So I read mostly old books, often from second hand books shops or thrift shops. Unfortunately as I get older (and I have been at it for over 7 decades) the "old" books get newer and newer, and my choices get fewer and fewer. I forgot to mention "modern" inflated fiction, especially books of more that 300 pages or so. So we stick with the classics. By now, the trash of my youth have become today's classics. And what ever happened to the art of the essay? When my daughter, an only child, was nursery age, she used to sit and tell herself stories. Will I have to write my own books?
I remember Bewitched with great pleasure. I had often been told I looked just like Agnes Moorhead (in her pre-Bewitched days), and I used to have fun imitating her. I have her kind of voice, as well, and when I would call out "Daahwin!" you could swear it was Endora.
I still look like Agnes Moorhead, with a few wrinkles her and there. - NinaBryna
Nina, I love The Addams Family (I've always wanted to have enough money to build a replica home from the screen shot of the house at the beginning of every episode). I laughed out loud at your story about when you were teaching. That's quite a tale!! I'm a big fan of those cheesy B&W series from the 50s & 60s. I love The Munsters, along with The Addams Family, Lost in Space, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeanie, along with Leave it to Beaver, Green Acres, Petticoat Junction, and Bonanza (especially after a day at work). I watch Bonanza and I Dream of Jeanie on TV and my mother has the rest of the series on DVD and we both enjoy them. They're simple and straight to the point. Humorous without being obscene and at the end of the episode, you know everything is going to work out for the better, fights will be forgotten and the little guy always gets the girl, lol!! - Heather Rose
On Vampires: Let's not neglect the Adams Family (original TV version). And also a kind of funny story: In the later 1950s there was a character on TV who called herself Vampyra. She had long black hair and dresses all in black, straight out of the Charles Addams cartoons in the New Yorker magazine. At that time I happened to have long black hair (which I usually wound in what as known as a chignon), and the fashion was for dark or black tights. I was teaching in a Temple school and usually wore my charcoal gray Chanel (fake) suit and a variety of black tops. Until one Sunday morning, when I was trying to instill in my 9 year olds the story of Moses and the Exodus, one child was frantically waving his hand. "Yes, David?" I asked. "Morah (teacher in Hebrew)," he asked, "when you let your hair down, do you look like Vampyra?"
I thought I still had an old paperback that, inter alia, had all the dope on Vlad and Bathory, but it seems to have disappeared. Vlad is actually considered a great and noble leader by the Romanians. I suppose he had his good points. He killed (and often impaled) a lot of Turks, which was enough to make someone a hero in the Balkans. - NinaBryna
My favorite "vampire" throughout history has to be the tales of Erzsebet Bathory, (or Countess Bathory) from Hungary. I've been trying to track down various author's takes on her life (many of which are on my want list here). I think it's because I'm Hungarian myself (well, a mutt actually, Irish, Pennsylvanian Dutch and Hungarian) but the appeal is still there. I love folklore and myths throughout history and have to admit to taking a special interest in the macabre. I fell in love with Lon Chaney and Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price, and Christopher Lee films (nothing but the original Black & White will suffice) because I started out at a young age with Anne Rice novels. (Yes, I’ve always have been a bit of an odd-ball, lol). I could do without the “Witch” books (i.e. Taltos, The Mayfair Witches, Blackwood Farm, etc.) she wrote, though. I have a DVD version of the tale of Vlad the Impaler, (I don’t know what it’s called at the moment) but seeing as how I’ve never read anything about his life, I don’t know how true to life it is. Nina, I have to admit to LOVING the Rocky Horror Picture Show (I own the DVD, the soundtrack and have seen various stage performances of it). I blame my mother who once dressed up in costume to see it when it was in the theaters, still owns the record of the soundtrack and randomly stills breaks into song (mostly Dammit Janet… as I sit here humming Science Fiction/Double Feature) as she cleans!! =) - Heather Rose
Dear Lindsay,
This book club is a great idea, and you are to be congratulated or having launched it. Your choice of books is admirable, Frankenstein and Dracula (there actually was a Romanian ruler Known as Vlad the Impaler, owing to his habit of impaling anyone he didn't like an wooden spikes in his courtyard, and he was nicknamed Dracula or Dracuil = little dragon) in their day were not considered "serious" literature and gave rise to a long line of movies, a veritable industry, which got sillier and sillier, culminating in Frankenstein's Daughter, the Bride of Frankenstein (Elsa Lanchester, she tuned him down), Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein (and, I think, the Wolfman) and "Young Frankenstein" and the Rocky Horror show. Dracula lost his Romanian identity, and became a teen-ager, western cowboy, and Roman Polanski turned him into a Jew, complete with accent. I think I saw most of them in my mis-spent youth. And then came Anne Rice et al. - NinaBryna
Nina, thank you for the compliment on my name, my mother gave me my middle name "Rose" (which is what I go by, I'll answer to Heather but those who know me well call me Heather Rose, if only because I like the sound of it myself, lol) after my grandmother RoseAnn who was named after her mother, my Great-grandmother Rose (both of whom have passed). I have the collected works of Emily Dickinson and enjoy her poetry very much. I have been reading Shakespeare since high school and love the flow in which he writes his works. I'm not much of a fan of Frost simply because I find him irritatingly verbose. I hope in the future you’ll let us all (or for myself, I’m always curious as to what I have missed that others applaud) know what you’re reading. Thank you for getting back to me. Have a wonderful day!! - Heather Rose
Dear Heather Rose (what a lovely image),
Generations seemingly don't all gap that much. My mother greatly admired Upton Sinclair
I have to admit to reading the first 2 or 3 Harry Potters. My grand-daughter played Moaning Myrtle ("You haunt a toilet!?") in her drama class presentation. After that they pretty much repeat themselves. I like theme and variations in music but not in literature: best to go on to something else, there is always something waiting.
I did read something by Vonnegut, but I don't think it was Slaughterhouse Five. It was a long time ago. Having been a Jewish child in Vienna during World War II, I have supped full of horrors; no piece of fiction can be anything but banal after the real ting. I find "horror" novels, ghosts and vampires just plain silly.
I read Women in Love, and the Rainbow, and Sons and Lovers, in college. I read Lady Chatterly (expurgated) when I was a teenager. oI find Lawrence's novels tedious and overblown, but his short stories are splendid. I read those in high school and have since reread them with pleasure. There's a paperback called "The Lovely Lady", the title story is a gem!
I notice that I left out of my list, among others, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (also William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlow). Favorite Dickinson poem:
"I'm nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there's a pair of us — don't tell!
They'd banish us, you know.
How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!"
One of my favorite quotations, most suitable to a member of the Bookmooch family, is by Samuel Johnson: "We love to expect, and when expectation is either disappointed or gratified, we want to be again expecting." - NinaBryna
Nina, I think we may have crossed the generations with your list!! I looked through your list and I have to say, some of your favorite authors are also respected by myself. I absolutely love e. e. cummings (I've amassed a few beat up volumes of his works). The way he took poetry to different heights, lengths and cross-ways, lol, is amazing. (I have mad love for any "rebel" poet who pushes the proverbial envelope to get his point across). I love the novels "Wuthering Heights," "Emma," and "Nineteen Eighty-four" and "Northhanger Abbey" is sitting on my shelf at home TBR. I read "Adam Bede" by Eliot, but have to say it was quite lenghty and I had a hard time staying focused. Have you ever read "Women in Love" by D.H. Lawrence? Or the prequel "The Rainbow?" "The Rainbow" is on my wishlist here and I've been holding onto my copy of "Women in Love" for years now. Have you ever read "Slaughterhouse 5?" by Kurt Vonnegut, "White Noise" by Don Delillo, or "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair? All three of those novels are definately three of my favorites. Hope to hear from you soon. - Heather Rose
Authors: Barbara Tuchman, Anne Tyler, Jane Austin, Amanda Cross, Lytton Strachey,Laurie Lee, the Bronte sisters, Sharyn McCrumb, Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas, Arnold Bennet, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi (Translated by Dorothy Britton), Robert VAn Gulik, Geza Vermes, all of Emma Lathen,Max Fimont, Daniel J. Boorstin, Bernard Berenson, Herbert Read, e.e. cummings,Han Suyin, Emily James Putnam, Dorothy Sayers, Aldous Huxley, Honor Tracy, George Orwell, George Eliot, Michael Gilbert, probably all of Rex Stout . . . These are all books I hang onto, and there are a lot more (see Francis Bacon on books and reading). I also read a lot of books in Hebrew, and a few in German and French There is a lot of fluff that I mooch, read and put back in Bookmooch. I am a "clean plate" reader and I finish them all (OK sometimes I skim).
Since I do not have a TV and don't spend much time at the computer (except for work), I read a lot and I've been reading for almost 70 years. I also read "The Giver" recently (borrowed it from my grandchildren), as well as "Herland."
There is definitely ageneratin gap here, but I would like to keep on reading your comments, and possibly some of the books you recommend. Many will probably not be available in Israel, although there are some second-hand book shops selling books in English. - NinaBryna
WOW Nina, what books DO you read because that's quite a lengthy list of what you choose to not partake in? You can't automatically downplay a whole genera of books simply from one bad experience. I think our group is fairly well-rounded and we’re reading best-sellers so there has to be SOMETHING worthwhile in what we’ve chosen to read. That would be like me saying that I hated genres of music simply because of one song and I’ll admit to writing off different types (i.e. County and or anything NOT alternative and/or post-hardcore) when I was younger but as I age, most gracefully, lol, I’ve taken the time to actually listen to the lyrics and have stayed away from the hype surrounding the music itself. I have found some wonderful country ballads (that’s about all we get ‘round here on the radio) and yes, even some of the darned rattle-your windows-with-bass rap that seems to be so mainstream now. I still have my favorites, and yes, they are still alternative and/or post-hardcore rock, but I DO have country and rap CDs in my collection now. I think everyone should (as a lover of words) keep contact with the outside world and it’s comings and goings even if we don’t agree. Media is accessible almost everywhere now and it’s only going to keep expanding. I love Victorian Brit Lit because of it’s simplicity and proper grammar but I also love curling up with modern novels (and yes, they ARE mostly fantasy and/or science fiction) but I’ll read anything if someone close to me recommends it. Sure, we may have differing ideas when the time comes to discuss it, but at least I read it and know what’s going on in the world. I hope you chose to stay with us and expand your horizons as we have done (I never would have picked up some of these books if they weren’t mentioned) and share your picks on what you feel we should be reading. - Heather Rose
I have to ask, what do you mean by the "trashy" books of old are now classics?
My reasoning in starting this bookclub was to introduce classic, modern and yes, even Young Adult novels- because this is what is popular now.
I have already chosen two classic novels, Frankenstein and Dracula, so that we (as a group) will have an understanding of how the paranormal/horror genre got started.
For June and July I am planning on getting us ready for our next genre- which is romance. However, I want the group to take a look at Jane Austen because I feel that her writings were the true foundation of romance.
As for "my picks" I do ask for suggestions from the group. Right now there are four of us involved in this bookclub so therefore I base my choices around what they like. As time goes on and when others are involved, the genres will change.
I believe the majority of us read for two reasons; for escape and for knowledge. For me, "fun reads" are my escape and when I formed this club I wanted my members to have an oppurtunity to "escape" out of their everyday lives and enjoy the reads chosen. By incorporating the classics, this will add to our knowledge and make for great debates/discussions.
If you do not wish to take part, I completely understand and appreciate your comments. - Lindsay Adams
Lindsay picks for Stephaine Stephaine picks for Heather Rose Heather Rose picks for Lindsay
Andrea picks for Amanda Amanda picks for Cara Cara picks for Andrea
***I know some of you were worried about being able to make picks for your person so I thought I would offer a couple of suggestions: use their wishlist! (especially if there are books listed on Bookmooch!) or if your person has listed some of their favorite authors/genres use www.fantasticfiction.com for suggestions! Even better, pick something for your partner that is near and dear to your heart- sharing our favorites should be what this bookclub is also about! :)
So I've decided to spice things up a bit in regards to our bookclub!! Here is what we are going to be doing:
Every month we will have a reading challenge PLUS our pick for that month! Now I understand that not everyone will have time to read additional books but I hope that every now and then those people will get to take part in our challenges! :)
First reading challenge:
PICK-IT-FOR-ME!
How does it work?
I will ask those who are interested in taking part to respond with a comment to this post.
Once everyone has responded (I will give everyone till Saturday!) I will then "partner" those people up!
I will then post a list of about 6 different genres or sub-genres (example would be: Paranormal, Young Adult Paranormal, Paranormal Romance).
For each genre you will be a book that you love or think that your partner will enjoy!
Ideally, it would be great if we could all read each other's picks! However, I know that is not always possible. So therefore, our goal should be to read AT LEAST 2 picks from your list!
The best part (besides discovering new books!!) is that we can have discussions all month!! So as your reading post your thoughts! Let us know how it's going and if you are enjoying the book!!
I hope everyone will be as excited about this as I am!!! Thanks to everyone for being a part of this bookclub!! :)
That's right! You may want to read all 6 but for now I think it's easier to try for at least 2 challenge books and our monthly pick! :) - Lindsay Adams
Ok, so far I have 4 of us "in" and Steph- will you be making 5?
Also, let me clarify about the number of books.
I will be listing 6 genres and you will make 1 rec per each genre. So your "person" will have 6 books to chose from to read and hopefully they will be able to read at least 2 of the choices made! :)
I'll be partnering people up either tonight or tomorrow afternoon- to give others a chance to respond if they would like! But please let me know no later than mid-afternoon tomorrow! :) - Lindsay Adams
I have recently discovered Catherine Aird. It is very old-fashioned and British. There is a Detective Inspector Sloan, who solves the mysteries. He is not a mass of neuroses, is not carrying on a tortured romance with one of his colleagues, has a sense of humor and does his job competently. I am now re-reading The Stately Home Murder for the fun of the narrative. As these books were written in the 1970s, there isn't a computer in sight, and no pseudo-scientific jargon. I spent about 8 years as a uniformed (voluntary) policewoman, and I can tell you, that in the main, this is closer to real everyday police work than most of the best sellers, with their blood and core and steamy sex scenes. As you say, we read books for escape and knowledge. I would add, amusement. Aird's books fill that bill for me, at any rate. - NinaBryna
sounds awesome! I was going to suggest that we "bookworms" read kinda fast so maybe we have two books a month..to keep the discussion going ya know? But this is great! - Andrea
Ok Lindsay, I just want to be sure I understand how this is working...say that four people decide they want to participate...6 genres x 4 people = 24 suggestions (correct?) now are we suppose to pick at least 2 of our partners 6 suggestions or any 2 out of the 24 (or however many)? - Stephanie
I wanted to see if this worked.. This is the 8th book in the series. When I saw this on tv I nearly peed my pants 'cause I thought they were making a tv series..but no it's a new book. Maybe we should include 'House of night' series into our club since we've been talking about it so much. I'm on book 4 but the first book is still fresh in my mind. And how was everyone's weekend?
Heather, yea Manda has read The Giver and Gathering Blue, but I've never read either. I'm want to read them. We just mooched The Giver and it's on its way so we'll be reading that one soon...well between school books and the books for the group :) - Stephanie
Ah...90 degree temps...I miss those!!! I lived in Texas (graduated a Longhorn!!) and remember the days of warm (no snow!) temperatures!!!! - Lindsay Adams
90º ?!?!? 90º ?!?!? I think we should switch houses for awhile, we're under at least 6 inches of snow right now, with another due by the weekend!! I'm TIRED of the snow!! I want Spring!! (or 90º temps, lol) - Heather Rose
WELL it's 90 somthing degrees outside and I'm a little jealous! :( wahhh I want a snow day!
LOL Heather I crack up at your comments! We are bad influences! ;) - Andrea
Stephanie, I saw Gathering Blue on your want list... I read The Giver, and then stepped right into Gathering Blue, I have The Messanger at home, somewhere, lol, and am pretty excited to read it (when I get the chance). Gathering Blue was a lovely book, full of action, and the plot was pretty amazing!! I loved the book and the characters in it. The ending let me down a bit, but otherwise, I definately recommend the book to you and your family!! - Heather Rose
I want to read the House of Night series. We've had a snow/ice day yesterday and today. We can't get out of our driveway and most of the roads (and businesses) are closed here so we've had plenty of time to research and read. - Stephanie
I LOVED the Hunger Games series!! I read all three books in a row...which is not common for me at all!
As for the House of Night series, I have considered adding the first book to our bookclub. Myself, I would like a re-read of Marked...I probably would continue on and read the series straight through again only with the addition of the newest novel!
I have a strong feeling we will be having a snow day here in Lexington tomorrow, so I was planning on doing a little research into books we can/should/need to read! :) - Lindsay Adams
Awww Yeah I finished Hunger Games already! Awesome!! (No spoilers!) Our Library down here is awesome it's like 3 stories looks like Mall of America! I nearly pooped myself when I saw all the books lol. But they have this online thing where I can order books thru the catalog and they call me when they are ready :) I can't keep buying books...and I want to finish the series and don't wanna read any of my 300 TBR books...so library it is! I'm going to pick up the last two books of Hunger Games, Vampire Academy (#1) and Succubus(#1) series (Thanks to Lindsay), House of Night (#4-#8) andddd Extras (uglies series)
So I'm pretty much in love with all the picks we've had so far.
Aw,Crap I didn't read Dracula!
OOO I'm reading Flora Segunda by Ysabeau S. Wilce. About a little witch that lives in a house with 11,000 magical rooms. It's so much fun! Someone already mooched it--I was going to pass it on to Lindsay or one of you guys cuz it's fab! Def something we would all like. I don't think there will be anymore after this book.
Yeah I've heard of your book...I think it's on my wishlist I dunno...Tell me how it is.
Anyway ya'll have the bestest week! *hugs* my virtual sistas! - Andrea
Andrea, my weekend was productive!! Well, reading-wise anyway... I already finished The Hunger Games and can't wait for the discussion questions!! (It's like an essay test, only FUN!! lol) and have started in on a new book called My Dirty Little Book of Stolen Time by Liz Jensen. It's about a prostitute in oh... I don't remember... 18something Denmark that gets transported to the 20th century via a time machine and her endevores... It's pretty interesting so far and I haven't even gotten to the heart of the story yet... How was your weekend? Have you started on The Hunger Games yet? - Heather Rose
