Oh,my! I think I'm back there might be one more quick trip someplace south (hint, hint, Breanumom and Steph): With so much traveling, I've done a lot of reading, too.
I bought Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows the day it came out (July 21) and finished it on Thursday July 26. DS was at school and dh very nicely did not complain that I did NOTHING! except read that book. (Well, if that were really true, I would have finished it by Tuesday). I think it was the best of all the books. I figured out several plot situations prior to reading the book. I'm with Brie - I think I'll read them from front cover of The Scorcerer's Stone to the back cover of the latest.
I put down Anne Karenina to read Harry (my latest column is about that - the comparison). I am now more than 200 pages into it and really, really enjoying it. It has become a page turner and I won't put it down again.
I also started Mike Farrell's memoir Call me Mike as a palate cleaner from Anna. I like what I've read so far, but am not enthralled with Tolstoy. I'll finish Mike when I'm done with Leo.
I listened to Carl Hiaasen's first book which was co-written with another reporter from The Miami HeraldPowder Burn is one of 3 books which the pair wrote. It is a serious crime story - not the hilarious ones he writes now. The story involves a man who sees a former lover and her daughter killed by being too close to an apparent drug war involvement. It was very good.
I'm listening to Frankenstein. Not exactly what I was expecting, and difficult to keep my mind on. I've gotten the book so I can actually read it.
I've read several other books including The Book that Changed My Life. It is a compilation of books by authors. I was surprised how many of the books I had never heard of.
A Thousand Splendid Suns was surpassed by only the most recent Harry Potter. I am recommending that book to anyone I see.
And, I now, know that I mixed up the Carl Hiaasen's books. Skink was in Native Tongue. That is the book about a theme park to compete with "The Mouse".
I also read two children's books I really enjoyed: Pobby and Dignan about a child who's father misplaces her imaginary friend and I believe in Unicorns. What can I ssay about the latter. I collect unicorns!
Very interesting ending to the series. I think she did a really good job with it. I didn't say anything about the book because I know people are still reading it.
Now I'm going back and reading the whole series back to back. It's amazing the threads that were woven in through all the books starting with the very first one.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Originally posted by SheriaVa: I'm reading "Ya-Yas in Bloom" by Rebecca Wells, the follow-up to "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" at bedtime. It is pretty good, not weepy (yet) and pretty fun/funny. Last night, the chapter I read brought back so many memories...she included in the story the experience of seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan for the first time. I saw that show, and I was SO jazzed (though my father clearly wasn't!). Reading this brought back that giddyness.
At work, I recently finished "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner." It was MARVELOUS. I didn't realize until I started writing my review for amazon just HOW MUCH I loved it.
I'm now reading "Best American Short Stories of 1992" at work, because it's what a co-worker had to loan me when I needed something to read. Not all that special so far (in fact, the ending of the last story I read downright disappointed me), but I'm still very early on in the book.
Sheri, I read Ya-Ya Sisterhood many yrs ago and loved, loved, loved it. I also read Ya-Ya's in Bloom, liked it a lot, but not quite as much as the first. They are fun reads though. I might re-read them, I would like to refresh my memory of them.
I have not read "A Thousand Splendid Suns" yet but I read "The Kite Runner" and could not put it down. I am looking forward to reading his new book, glad to hear how much you loved it.
Jill
Summer Challenge Goals: 1) Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week 2) Plan weekly menus
I'm reading "Ya-Yas in Bloom" by Rebecca Wells, the follow-up to "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" at bedtime. It is pretty good, not weepy (yet) and pretty fun/funny. Last night, the chapter I read brought back so many memories...she included in the story the experience of seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan for the first time. I saw that show, and I was SO jazzed (though my father clearly wasn't!). Reading this brought back that giddyness.
At work, I recently finished "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner." It was MARVELOUS. I didn't realize until I started writing my review for amazon just HOW MUCH I loved it.
I'm now reading "Best American Short Stories of 1992" at work, because it's what a co-worker had to loan me when I needed something to read. Not all that special so far (in fact, the ending of the last story I read downright disappointed me), but I'm still very early on in the book.
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: 7298 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Originally posted by SpaceCityPaula: Most recent read:
Harry Potter - Loved it.
Paula- Which HP book? I bought Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows last week on vacation but only read the first few pages. I am so excited to read it, now i just need to find the time!! Jill
Summer Challenge Goals: 1) Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week 2) Plan weekly menus
Originally posted by johnbol: Yeah, I read that character in Basket Case, I think. It was the story where the guy was trying to give "the mouse" a run for his money with his own theme park.
Oh COOL! I have been waiting for Skink to appear in another book. I guess I must not have read Basket Case yet, though I have read nearly all of his books.
I don't remember him in "Basket Case", I don't remember the mouse scene in that book either though...
Dawn
I just started Stormy Weather. It has Skink in it. I think "the mouse" Linda was refering to is "Disney" .
Quote: "Hiaasen, in addition to being one of our best popular novelists, is a longtime investigative reporter with the Miami Herald, and he details goings on that would do the con men and sleazebags in his mysteries proud."
"Live your life so that you are not afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip."
Posts: 4044 | Location: NE Atlanta (Chamblee, Doraville, Norcross, Duluth) | Registered: March 15, 2004
I just bought the modern classic "Midnight's Children" by Salman Rushdie. It's long, and apparently confusing, but it is also on both of the 100 Greatest Modern Novels lists that I use. A Washington Post columnist recently called the book "a flat-out masterpiece".
Originally posted by johnbol: Yeah, I read that character in Basket Case, I think. It was the story where the guy was trying to give "the mouse" a run for his money with his own theme park.
Oh COOL! I have been waiting for Skink to appear in another book. I guess I must not have read Basket Case yet, though I have read nearly all of his books.
I don't remember him in "Basket Case", I don't remember the mouse scene in that book either though...
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4303 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
Originally posted by johnbol: Yeah, I read that character in Basket Case, I think. It was the story where the guy was trying to give "the mouse" a run for his money with his own theme park.
Oh COOL! I have been waiting for Skink to appear in another book. I guess I must not have read Basket Case yet, though I have read nearly all of his books.
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: 7298 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Yeah, I read that character in Basket Case, I think. It was the story where the guy was trying to give "the mouse" a run for his money with his own theme park.
Originally posted by Tayhudson: Which character from Sick Puppy is in Stormy Weather? I'm reading Sick Puppy right now. I'm almost done.
I can't remember his name at the moment, but his character is a former Florida politician who now lives in the wilds and off the Earth. He has a rather crazy appearance and personality but he is a very strong and humorous character.
OK cool. He is a great character. The former Governor of FL.
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4303 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
Originally posted by Tayhudson: Which character from Sick Puppy is in Stormy Weather? I'm reading Sick Puppy right now. I'm almost done.
I can't remember his name at the moment, but his character is a former Florida politician who now lives in the wilds and off the Earth. He has a rather crazy appearance and personality but he is a very strong and humorous character.
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: 7298 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Linda: I can't remember if you've already read Sick Puppy or Stormy Weather, but those are two of my favorite Hiaasen novels. Both have a character in them who is quite hilarious and I wish he recurred in more Hiaasen stories.
Which character from Sick Puppy is in Stormy Weather? I'm reading Sick Puppy right now. I'm almost done.
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4303 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
Originally posted by johnbol: I should finish that today as well as my CD book in the car (Carl Hiaasen's first Tourist Season. I haven't completely decide what book will be next among the contendors are Hiaasen's first book which was co-authored.
Linda: I can't remember if you've already read Sick Puppy or Stormy Weather, but those are two of my favorite Hiaasen novels. Both have a character in them who is quite hilarious and I wish he recurred in more Hiaasen stories.
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: 7298 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
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