The Next Best Book Club discussion

Going to start reading Wool by Hugh Howey

You'll love it!

I'm really enjoying it so far and am thinking about buying the rest of the set already lol

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Classics group read)

Just finished reading the new book by Malcolm Gladwell called David and Goliath. The book explores the curious nature of advantages and disadvantages and how each can (under circumstances) become its opposite. Gladwell gets bogged down in his anecdotes at times, and his arguments are occasionally overly-simplistic (as usual), but there’s plenty of interest here to keep you going. I’ve written a full executive summary of the book available here: http://newbooksinbrief.com/2013/10/22...

Gabriella wrote: "I'm reading Peace Like a River by Leif Enger"

Loved this book!

Finished reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson – 4****
Eighteen-year-old Mary Katherine (Merricat) Blackwood narrates this story of her family’s isolation due to past scandal. This psychological study of a disturbed family is a short quick read but still offers a rather full exploration of distorted thinking. The tension is based on not knowing how things will turn out; the reader is constantly waiting for something dreadful to occur and even when things go badly the reader knows this can’t possibly be the end of it. The result is a suspenseful read without gore or graphic description. Even when the book is finished, I’m left anxious and in suspense.
Book Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished listening to the audio version of The Giver by Lois Lowry – 3*** (Playaway audio read by Ron Rifkin)
This is a good young-adult work of fiction. Jonas is intelligent, resourceful, responsible and courageous. I do think it’s important for young people to learn to question authority and think for themselves, but I’m not too happy with how Lowry paints all the adults (except for The Giver) in the Community as disingenuous liars, although I recognize how this serves the plot. I fully appreciate why the novel continues to be hugely popular for middle-school readers. The audio has terrible “spooky” music, apparently designed to enhance the suspense, but which is just irritating.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Book Concierge wrote: "Finished listening to the audio version of The Giver by Lois Lowry – 3*** (Playaway audio read by Ron Rifkin)
This is a good young-adult work of fiction."

I read that earlier this year, as well as books two and three. Liked all three in the series, but the first was definitely the best.

Heather L wrote: "Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Classics group read)"

Heather, are you liking it? I like to read classics, but for some reason I hesitate everytime I think in add this one to my TBR list..

I'm 30% done with To Kill a Mockingbird. Believe it or not I have never read it... So far I'm enjoying it.

Heather L wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "Finished listening to the audio version of The Giver by Lois Lowry – 3*** (Playaway audio read by Ron Rifkin)
This is a good young-adult work ..."

The Giver has always been one of my favorite books. Until this thread I did not know it was part of a series, so thank you!!

I'm currently readign Double Dexter, The Shining and Oryx and Crake

I'm reading The Shining too :-)

Sameea wrote: "I'm reading The Shining too :-)"

Its my first time! .. just started Part 2. of course i've seen the movie a thousand times.. (ok not that many).. I'm really liking the book so far.

I'm reading it for the first time too! (it's the first time i'm reading anything by Stephen King) I'm on page 172. I'm enjoying the book, i like the way the story is building up gradually, hopefully the ending will be a good surprise. I haven't seen the movie.

I actually wanted to read Doctor Sleep, but i thought may be i should read The Shining first.

Triggers by Robert J. sawyer Triggers

Sameea wrote: "I'm reading it for the first time too! (it's the first time i'm reading anything by Stephen King) I'm on page 172. I'm enjoying the book, i like the way the story is building up gradually, hopefull..."

Doctor Sleep is exactly why im reading the shining also. I probably never would have gotten to it and just been satisfied with the movie if a sequel to the book hadnt come out..

hahaha, what a coincidence. You really like the movie don't you, i think i'm going to have to watch it once i finish reading. :-)

Its considered a horror classic. I like it because i first saw it when i was little so it seemed like an awesome horror flick. in comparison to now-a-days horror films it wont necessarily be scary.. just creepy maybe. But yeah, I've always been a fan of the movie. I liked it and Jack Nicholson plays a good nutcase.

Leslie wrote: "The Giver has always been one of my favorite books. Until this thread I did not know it was part of a series, so thank you!"

You're welcome! ☺ There are actually four books in the series, but I have not laid hands on Son yet.


Sandra wrote: "Heather L wrote: "Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (Classics group read)"

Heather, are you liking it? I like to read classics, but for some reason I hesitate everytime I think in add this one to my TB..."

I'm up to chapter 9 of 24 and so far it's okay. As Aishie said, it does take a bit to get into it. Her writing style does not make for a fast read (lots of exposition and long, meandering paragraphs and not much dialogue), but it's interesting to finally read the actual story.

Leslie wrote: "Its considered a horror classic. I like it because i first saw it when i was little so it seemed like an awesome horror flick. in comparison to now-a-days horror films it wont necessarily be scar..."

creepy sound's good to me! :-)

i finished Degrees of Nakedness: Stories by Lisa Moore last week, but went on to immediately re-read some stories. i thought it was really good! (my review)

Reading The Maze Runner by James Dashner and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. Both very different to say the least...but both very compelling so far.

I've finished reading Wool today which was great and am now reading The Time Travelers Wife.

Finished reading The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell – 5***** and a ❤ (Audio performed by David Colacci)
In December 2059 Father Emilio Sandoz returns to Earth, the only survivor of a Jesuit expedition which had left some 40 years previously to explore the planet Rakhat. He is broken in body and spirit, but once he has recovered his strength, he will be subject to an official inquiry as to what happened. Told in flashbacks, the novel is a gripping tale of man’s search for meaning and the role of faith and religion in shaping our lives. I was mesmerized from beginning to end, and when finished I wanted to start reading it again to make sure I had fully understood and appreciated every part of this novel. David Colacci does a wonderful job performing the audio.
Book Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished Night Film and am now reading Defending Jacob.

Finished Dancing for Degas by Kathryn Wagner – 3***
This is entertaining historical fiction that gives us a glimpse into the worlds of the Paris arts community in mid to late 1800s. Wagner took a few liberties with history, but fairly accurately portrayed Degas and other artists in the newly forming Impressionist movement. I got tired of the repetitive intrigue of catty ballerinas fighting for prominence. I also thought that Wagner gave us a too-pat ending. Still, I was interested in several aspects of the story and it held my attention.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I loved Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore.
Then went on to The Lord Is My Shepherd: Healing Wisdom of the Twenty-third Psalm for a book club. It is supposed thought-provoking and inspiring I found it trite and annoyingly old-fashioned.
I needed a break after that so turned to Prior Bad Acts which was well written and exciting.
The first 'episode; of Wool was wonderful and intriguing. Now I need to read the rest of it.
And I have just finished The Gun Seller which was brilliant! More in the style of 'A bit of Fry and Laurie' than Dr House which is just what I wanted.

I've just started reading Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

I'm reading The Eyes of Abel by Daniel Jacobs. It is a book I won on goodreads giveaways.

Hi Aishie!

I'm only about 50 pages in but liking it so far. Love the idea they've had of putting photographs in the book too, it really adds a little something.

I'm reading Dark Lies the Island and almost done listening to Sealed with a Curse.

Christine by Stephen King

reading miss peregrine's home for peculiar children

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

Nicole wrote: "The Book Theif by Markus Zusak"

Nicole, It will be a live video chat with Markus Zusak on Tuesday, November 5th at 2pm ET/11am PT in Goodreads. The link is https://www.goodreads.com/topic/video...

Jackie wrote: "The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides"

Great book. It leaves you suffering from book hangover...

Nicole wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Nicole wrote: "The Book Theif by Markus Zusak"

Nicole, It will be a live video chat with Markus Zusak on Tuesday, November 5th at 2pm ET/11am PT in Goodreads. The link is https://w..."

You are welcome!

Any idea what UK time that is anyone?

Thank you!

Won't be able to see it will be busy with a bonfire about then lol

New to the group. I joined because my last few books have not been so great. This topic thread is what are you reading ... but what I'd like to know is what have you recently REALLY enjoyed. :-)

Cloud Atlas . So far it's fantastic.

When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson

Jackie wrote: "Any idea what UK time that is anyone?"

If it helps, Jackie .... ET is New York City
CT is Chicago
PT is Los Angeles

Finished Havana Lost by Libby Fischer Hellmann – 3.5***
This is a multi-generational family saga and thriller that begins in pre-revolution Havana and ends in current-day Chicago. Hellmann writes good thrillers. Her pacing is quick, she moves seamlessly from scene to scene, building suspense and keeping the reader turning pages. Hellmann also does well using an historical setting. Havana comes to life both in pre-revolution tropical splendor and post-revolution decline. I was engaged and interested in parts one and two, but the turns the plot took in the last 60-80 pages seemed unnecessarily complicated and rushed, and I didn’t have a good sense of the characters’ motivations. It’s a good thriller, but with a little more work it might’ve been great.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished the audio version of Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie – 3*** (Audio performed by Hugh Fraser)
I love Poirot, but I don’t think this is Christie’s best effort. In my opinion, the central plot is overly complicated, and the love-interest between Hastings and the girl on the train is superfluous. Given that this was only the second book in the series (published 1923), I should probably cut Christie some slack, and I will. It’s still an entertaining cozy, and I was interested from beginning to end. Hugh Fraser does a marvelous job performing the audio version. He really brings Poirot (and the many other characters) to life.
Book Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I, too, am reading The Book Thief. Thanks to Nicole for the link to the author chat!

Finished the audio version of The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty – 3.5*** (Audio performed by Elizabeth McGovern)
Using facts from the real life of Louise Brooks (1920s film star) as a framework, this is novel is really a character study of one woman’s awakening. I was caught up in the story from the beginning. I liked the way Moriarty depicted Cora’s developing sense of self. Parts One and Two introduce us to Louise and Cora, and detail the time they spend in New York. Part Three picks up when Cora returns to Wichita and covers 50+ years, where we continue to see Cora grow and the effects of her awareness on those around her. Elizabeth McGovern does a fine job performing the audio version.
Book Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...