I just finished Terry Pratchett's Going Postal and Robert Harris's Pompeii both of which were pretty good.

Now I have to find something new to read....

I finished reading a couple of weeks ago "Charming Billy" by Alice McDermott. Personally, I really didn't care for it. It was just too light and airy.

quote:

Originally posted by skedwards:

quote:

Also reading something missed from my childhood (Louisa May Alcott had me heart and soul): The Secret Garden.

Recently started T. A. Barron's The Lost Years of Merlin series. Down with number one - four to go.

I want to read the book also. Oh my goodness!!! When will I ever find time to read all these books I want to?!?!?!?! LOL!!!!!!!

You have sparked my interest in Barron's books....I think I would enjoy these also. How did you like the first book?

Welcome to the "Too Many Books, Too Little Time" Club, Kaye!

I have personal reasons now to be reading the Barron books. And I did like it. And want to continue the saga - I'm enthralled with the story and the author's imagination.

I met Tom Barron two years ago when The Great Tree of Avalon came out. I was one of many in a crowd, and he signed my copy of that book. (I had been "put on to him" via a "If you like Harry Potter..." list).

Last April, he returned for another book signing. This time the group was smaller since it took place in the morning. I hung back and did something small for me, but memorable for another young man which brought me to Tom's attention.

My own situation had changed, since he was last in town, and I briefly discussed my own writing and attempts to get published. He wrote a magnificently personal item in the book I brought to be signed (it turned out it may be a collectible for its scarcity and I bought it at my favorite store - Goodwill!).

He shared his e-mail address and I subsequently sent him a copy of something very personal I had written for a contest. He responded with glowing words of praise.

I now have something to hang in front of me to offset the rejections. Although lately, I'm glowing myself. I've won 2 contests in as many weeks!

So now, Mr. Barron is a role model as both a writer and how to treat people. That's the best recommendation I can give to any human being.

Then, I'm not going to go back for quotes, but in response to others:

Sheri,

Yes I read Into Thin Air. Both of the books I need to be reading for Book Discussions, have been on my list since I first heard of them - well Banner was quicker on the list. It took Teheran showing up on critical praise lists.

Pam,

I read both The Secret Life of Bees and The Mermaid Chair[i] and liked them both - probably the later a tad better. Although because of my personal feelings about my religion, I would welcome a discussion about [i]Mermaid.

I also have started John Adams and find it very interesting and not dry. But, I'm a former history teacher who originally read very little fiction. I read biography and history. And I'm a true admirer of David McCullough.

I'm really excited to see Doris Kearns Goodwin's book on Lincoln is finally published. I wonder when I'll ever find the time to read that tome since it has over 900 pages. I know, I know. How I do so many things and read so many books - one. Page. At. A. Time.

Good reading!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: johnbol,

I loved, loved, loved "The Secret Life of Bees"! I just picked up her second book at the library yesterday but haven't started it yet.

Tayhudson,

I loved the "Secret Life of Bees". I bought it on impulse and loved it. I would be interested in knowing if her second book is as good.

I just finished "Fatal Tide" by Iris Johanson, and then I started J.A. Jance's "Day of the Dead", but I stopped reading it. I RARELY do that. I have read just about every J.A. Jance book and have really enjoyed them, but this one is just too disturbing for me.

So, I started Nora Robert's "Northern Lights".

Dawn

quote:

Originally posted by Pam:
Just finished "The Secret Life of Bees" and am now reading "As the Crow Flies". Trying to read "John Adams" but finding it a little dry.

How did you like "The Secret Life of Bees"? One of my friends loved it, so I was thinking about getting that after I finish the 2-3 books I already have waiting in line.

quote:

Also reading something missed from my childhood (Louisa May Alcott had me heart and soul): The Secret Garden.

Recently started T. A. Barron's The Lost Years of Merlin series. Down with number one - four to go.

Linda, I LOVE "The Secret Garden" also. I haven't read the book but I fell in love with the movie (I also love "The Little Princess). While shopping for a few DVD's for DS last Christmas, I had to buy "TSG" for myself.

I want to read the book also. Oh my goodness!!! When will I ever find time to read all these books I want to?!?!?!?! LOL!!!!!!!

You have sparked my interest in Barron's books....I think I would enjoy these also. How did you like the first book?

quote:

Originally posted by johnbol:
I'm now involved in two reading groups in loccal libraries. One has us reading Reading Lolita in Teheran which means I'm going to read Lolita first. The other book is Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer.

I'm interested in hearing how you like both of those. The first because I have had it on my amazon wish list for ages at the recommendation of some folks from my book chat. The second because I LOVED Krakauer's Into Thin Air and had intended to buy Banner when it first came out. If you also read Air, I'd be interested in hearing a comparison of whether you liked Banner as well.

Robert Jordan was just in Dayton last Saturday signing books.

I'm working on Andrea Mitchell's book Talking Back.

Recently finished Our Lady of the Forest by David Guterson (of Snow Falling on Cedars fame). (Cate we could discuss this one, too)

Also reading something missed from my childhood (Louisa May Alcott had me heart and soul): The Secret Garden.

Recently started T. A. Barron's The Lost Years of Merlin series. Down with number one - four to go.

I'm now involved in two reading groups in loccal libraries. One has us reading Reading Lolita in Teheran which means I'm going to read Lolita first. The other book is Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer.

quote:

Originally posted by cate:
I finished The Mermaid Chair last night. Neat book.

I have that in my pile. If you read her previous book, The Secret Life of Bees, how would you compare this one to that? I loved Bees so I'm hoping that The Mermaid Chair is at least as good.

Just finished "The Secret Life of Bees" and am now reading "As the Crow Flies". Trying to read "John Adams" but finding it a little dry.

I finished The Mermaid Chair last night. Neat book. I decided to hit Robert Jordan's new tome this morning. So far it seems to be one of his better ones, but its going to take a while...not a book to read when sleepy...

quote:

Originally posted by Sheltieguy:

quote:

I'm curious. Do you not like current fiction?

Prior to this year, I was strictly a nonfiction reader. As a fiction start, I decided to go with great/classic books that have stood the test of time.

As for Faulkner, I thank "Oprah's Book Club" for bringing him to my attention.

I've always loved Ernest Hemingway especially "A Farwell to Arms"....(Trying to post here without giving too much away for those who haven't read it...)

I had and will always have such a VIVID picture in my mind of the last part of the book...where he is just walking away after...wellllll...those of you who have read the book know.

I know this may sound so silly but the song by Dan Fogelberg, "Same Old Lang Syne", reminds me SO VERY much of the ending of this book.....

"And felt that old familiar pain
And as I turned to make my way back home
The snow turned into rain --"

OK, I'm crying now......back to talking about more light-hearted things!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Bee:
I'm reading Holy Blood, Holy Grail. It's a nonfiction account of some of the history behind the DaVinci Code. It's very dry, academic reading but quite interesting.

I just purchased "The DaVinci Code" but just haven't had the time to start it yet. I would love to look for the book that Bee has posted after I finish this one.

I'd like to make a suggestion for a "quick read, holiday fun book"....John Grisham's "Skipping Christmas". I didn't see the movie so I can't tell you how closely it followed the book....I CAN tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and from what I read, DAN AKROID WAS the perfect choice for the charater he played!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!

Like I said, the book is a quick read and SOOOOOO very funny!!! A great "light" book to put you in a holiday mood. It isn't a "Law" book (actually the main character is an Accountant, but I promise you that accounting has absolutely nothing to do with the story in this book!!! )....Well maybe in a way, but only DOMESTIC accounting!!! LOL!!!!

It is the kind of book that keeps you laughing so much that you can't put it down....one delightful fiasco after the other!

I hope that I can find the time to read it again this Christmas.

I purchased this book the Christmas that I was expecting DS. I would go into our parlor and read it by Christmas tree and lamp light. Such warm and wonderful memories even though it hasn't been that long ago.

I hope that some of you have time to look into this book (especially before Christmas) I honestly believe that you will be happy that you did.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ske,

quote:

I'm curious. Do you not like current fiction?

Prior to this year, I was strictly a nonfiction reader. As a fiction start, I decided to go with great/classic books that have stood the test of time.

As for Faulkner, I thank "Oprah's Book Club" for bringing him to my attention.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sheltieguy,

quote:

Originally posted by Sheltieguy:
I just finished the second reading of "As I Lay Dying", and have "The Sound And The Fury" on order from Amazon.com.

I'm curious. Do you not like current fiction? I don't think I've ever heard you say you're reading anything that was written in the last 20 or 30 years. Just got me curious.

For some more ideas, click on:

The Modern Library: 100 Best Novels

I just finished the second reading of "As I Lay Dying", and have "The Sound And The Fury" on order from Amazon.com.

Am in the process of reading Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross and am loving it.

A friend of mine gave me "Aging with Grace" by David Snowdon, PH.D. which is a nun study that teaches us about leading longer, healthier, and more meaningful lives. She said it was inspiring. I can't wait to start it.

I just finished Lily Dale: The True Story of the Town that Speaks with the Dead and am now reading FrameWork, a book about training to prevent injury.