Originally posted by Tayhudson: I'm reading "The Last Templar" by Raymond Khoury. I have been reading this one on and off for a long time. It is getting really good though.
I just finished John Grisham's "Playing for Pizza" the other night. It was a fun, "light" and very short read. I really enjoyed the storyline, nothing too heavy and not as "footballish" as you might think. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the Italian areas, buildings and food customs in the book. Grisham stated in a note at the end of the book that he had gotten the idea from a trip he made to Parma, Italy.
I also just purchased "The Mists of Avalon" but haven't started reading it yet. It is a novel with a different spin on the Arthurian legends. The story is told from the women's perspectives. I caught the end of the mini-series based on the novel and knew that I had to read the book. From the reviews at Amazon.com, the novel is much better than the mini-series. I enjoy these types of novels but I have a feeling this will be one of my favorites.
My book group's pick for this month is "The Yiddish Policemen's Union" by Michael Chabon. Can't say the story is really grabbing me, but I like his humorous and descriptive writing style.
Supposed to finish it by Thursday, and that might be a challenge.
Originally posted by Sheltieguy: I just got the modern classic "A Handful of Dust" by Evelyn Waugh. It's on the 100 Best Novels lists of both The Modern Library and Time Magazine.
Forgive me if I've asked you this before and forgive my nosiness, but I was just curious. You always talk about reading books that are classics from the past. Do you ever read current/popular fiction?
Posts: 7254 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
I finally finished Trace by Patricia Cornwell, which has for many months been the book that sits in my car for when I have pedicures, doctor appointments, etc. I wouldn't say it was the best Cornwell ever wrote, but I found it entertaining enough to keep reading and stay interested over a long long period of time.
I also finished One Good Turn by Kate Atkinson, which was quite good. The same and yet different as her previous book Case Histories.
I'm now reading 2 nonfiction books and just started a John Sandford Prey book in Rehoboth last night.
Personal Healthy Habits Challenge - 10/1 to 12/31/08: 1. Exercise: Get back to consistently working out 3-5 X week. 2. Food: Get back to consistently preparing healthy lunches for the week with increased veg servings. 3. Behavior: Reduce intake of sweets.
Posts: 7254 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
...Listening to books is tenuous. I tried listening to Frankenstein but between the style of writing and the narrator, I didn't hang on every word...
I read that in 2005, and liked it -- much, much different than the old movies. As I remember it, to me it was the tale of a once-kind "being" who snapped from the long term loneliness of being an outcast. Other things too...
Posts: 2342 | Location: A Blue State | Registered: May 02, 2004
I started listening to Lucky You by Carl Hiaasen this morning. In between ending the last Hiaasen and this one I listened to some poems read by the authors that wrote them (I was looking for something really short until the interlibrary loan of Lucky You arrived.) The two authors I listened to were e e cummings and T. S. Eliot. Boy, especially Eliot could put me to sleep! I guess just because someone can write poetry doesn't mean s/he can read it. Eliot droned. Seriously.
I went to the Library of Congress website this morning to see how many more Hiaasen's I have left to read. I think I'm down to three adult, the two YA and two of his intial ones with William Montalban. Also looked up Patricia Cornwell. I stopped her series after #2. Not because I didn't like them, but just because I found other things.
Listening to books is tenuous. I tried listening to Frankenstein but between the style of writing and the narrator, I didn't hang on every word. So few C. J. Critts in the world (who did most of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books).
I found out that ds had not read or ever heard of O. Henry's short story Gift of the Magi. Turned out dh hadn't either. I'm going to be adding to their education in the next few days - maybe on the drive to Toledo on Tuesday. (Do they not read these things in school anymore? I had to get ds into To Kill a Mockingbird too or he would have missed it.)
I just got the book Heal Your Aching Back: What a Harvard Doctor Wants You to Know About Finding Relief & Keeping Your Back Strong by Jeffrey N. Katz, MD.
It looks promising. In addition to having a highly qualified author, it's copyright 2007, so the information is current.
Posts: 2342 | Location: A Blue State | Registered: May 02, 2004
I just finished the modern classic Midnight's Children by Salmon Rushdie. It was a long journey, but well worth the effort.
The basic format is a fictional autobiography of a character with magical powers, entwined with the history of India, starting with it's Indepencence. It includes all manner of magic, and metaphor, and symbolism, and history, and culture, and...
Posts: 2342 | Location: A Blue State | Registered: May 02, 2004
I know how you feel; I've experienced a few books like that.
Back in the 70s I read David Halberstam's The Best and The Brightest about the Kennedy Presidential Cabinet. It took me 5 years to finish. One reason is that I wasn't quite as dedicated to reading as I am now (young and foolish!). Another reason was that I read at bedtime and I kept falling asleep.
Sandy,
I'm interested in what you think of Mermaid Chair. I read both of her novels as well as one of her spiritual books.
a few years ago, so I am starting with The Great Stuff, that has stood the test of time.
