The Next Best Book Club discussion

Karen M wrote: "Gary wrote: "Does anyone know if the Martin Cruz Smith "Arkady Renko" series starting with Gorky Park needs to be read in order or are they all stand alone novels. Thansk"

I've read the first two ..."

Thansk Karen.

Just finished reading the new book by Charles Montgomery called Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design. Montgomery takes us through the history of the modern city, and argues in favor of the new urbanist movement in design--which advocates moving away from suburban sprawl and towards mixed-use, multi-income communities; laced with parks and plazas of varying sizes; and tied together with transportation networks that reintroduce walking, cycling and public transport as real options. The book is fantastic, and a great introduction to the ideas of the new urbanists. I've written a full executive summary of the book available here: http://newbooksinbrief.com/2013/12/17...

and

Reading by James Patterson

I'm reading The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes.

The Messenger by Lois Lowery

I've started reading No Accident which is a thriller/suspense.

Untraceable by Laura Griffin

Just finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I enjoyed the writing,vivid and full of details but not tiring. I liked to know more about foot binding understanding it as a complex mix of a different concept of beauty, kind of engine of social status improvement, a way of control women and a character builder. I liked to explore the different ways women related among them and nu shu, their secret language.
The plot engaged me. I'll probably try other Lisa See's novels.

I'm starting today House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III

Currently reading shadows cast by stars and thunder rising of the warrior cat series.

I have that on my TBR list Sandra. Must get round to it!

Now reading The Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes.

I am currently reading The Far Side of the Sky by Daniel Kalla and listening to My Mother Was Nuts by Penny Marshall.

I just finished Wallbanger by Alice Clayton Wallbanger

I just started The Journey of the Marked by Rebecca P McCray The Journey of the Marked

I'm about half way through Hocus Pocus and enjoying it a lot. Classic Vonnegut.

Just finished and just started

I'm new and so EXTREMELY happy to find book addicts like me! I am just finished reading "Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune" by Bill Dedman and Paul Clark Newell. It was FABULOUS! Couldn't put it down. Next, I'm about to read "One Summer" by Bill Bryson. Has anyone read it?

Plus I got a Barnes and Nobles Gift Card for Christmas! I don't even know where to start with that! Lol!

Welcome Megan! We have a great time here in TNBBC! Hope you have fun!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas and that those who love to read keep on tackling new adventures. I am currently alternating between about 8 different books but right now I am reading rebel spring and betrayal on Orbis 2. I just went to Barnes and Nobles so I got four new books that I am reading and can't decide on which one.

A coworker received Empty Mansions for Chrstmas and said she'd let me borrow it when she's done. I can't wait to read it.

I am starting to read "Another bullshit night in suck city" tonight.

I finished The Death of Bees and am starting The Woman Upstairs. I really liked The Death of Bees - a dark comedy of sorts.

Claire wrote: "I finished The Death of Bees and am starting The Woman Upstairs. I really liked The Death of Bees - a dark comedy of sorts."

I enjoyed The Woman Upstairs, though it wasn't what I expected. Hope you like it.

Existence by Abbi Glines

I'm reading a new genre "Christian Western", Sabrina's Man. I enjoy westerns, this one we'll have to see.

I'm reading Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall smith

Finished reading The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank – 2**
I did like the messages Dorothea Benton Frank was trying to impart here: a focus on the true meaning of Christmas, the value of family, the meaning behind traditions; but I didn't think she did a good job of imparting those lessons. I disliked the family, and I didn't believe in their transformation. It was a quick read, and it did make me think of my own family traditions and celebrations.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just purchased and started S. by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst. I cannot wait to get into the depths of this book.

Finished the audio book version of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - Barbara Robinson (Audio book performed by Elaine Stritch) 5*****
The six Herdman kids are a handful – and then some. They lie, steal, smoke cigars, hit little kids, cuss their teachers, and even set fire to a tool shed. When they take over the Sunday School Christmas Pageant everyone is sure it will be a disaster. But the Herdman’s take on the Christmas story leaves everyone moved by the wonder and joy of Christmas. Elaine Stritch does a great job narrating the audio.
Line to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished reading 'Tis the Season - Lorna Landvik
3***
Heiress Caroline Dixon is a hot mess. Her life and alcoholic antics provide plenty of fodder for the tabloids, but also hide a troubled and vulnerable young woman. This novel is written in an epistolary format, and as a result it takes a while to figure out how the characters interact with one another. This is a nice, fast, holiday read that reminds us to be kinder to one another
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Currently reading dead girls don't lie and rebel spring.

Book Concierge wrote: "Finished the audio book version of ..."

Love that book! :-)

Currently reading:
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Finished listening to the audio version of Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen (Audio book performed by Donada Peters) - 4****
This is a wonderful parody of the late 18th-centry Gothic style, with haunted medieval buildings, unrequited love, misunderstandings, secret engagements, and parental disapproval. Our main character, Catherine Morland, has a rampant imagination fueled by over-the-top romantic suspense novels. It is the first novel Austen completed, though one of the last to be published. It clearly shows the writer she will become. The dialogue is witty and clever.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III. I almost gave up this book twice, but I'm glad I didn't. Though it wasn't what I was expecting I enjoyed the Greek tragedy style. The character composition was just wonderful.

Now starting Girl With a Pearl Earring.

Just finished dead girls don't lie and alternating between three books to see which one i want to tackle next.

Right now I'm reading Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

I just finished reading The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism. Very touching and eye-opening.

I'm reading The Orphan by Christopher Ransom.

Jackie wrote: "I'm reading The Orphan by Christopher Ransom."

Jackie, the summary sounds disturbing!

Lol Sandra. Actually I don't know if I'm going to like it. I thought it was a chiller/psychological thriller type but its got monsters in it and that's not usually the sort of thing I go for.

Sandra wrote: "Just finished House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III. I almost gave up this book twice, but I'm glad I didn't. Though it wasn't what I was expecting I enjoyed the Greek tragedy sty..."

Both excellent books!

So I didn't like the unbecoming at all. The book was just not my thing. I believe that I didn't give it a try but I did not like even the first couple of pages. I do and am currently reading and liking rebel spring. I think it gets just a little confusing because of coming and going between the characters but this book is very good so far.

I'm just started Somewhere West of Roads, .

Just started

I'm reading by wendelin van draanen and by heather lende

Finished reading Can’t Wait To Get To Heaven by Fannie Flagg (Audio book narrated by Cassandra Campbell) – 4****
This is a sweet, gentle tale of one woman’s influence on her community, that reminds us all to consider the cycle of life and how we fit into it. Flagg populates Elmwood Springs with colorful characters who, for all their eccentricity, are completely recognizable. The parable reminds me that the things I most cherish have nothing to do with material goods, and much to do with relationships I’ve developed over the years. It’s not great literature. It’s not even Flagg’s best work. But I did enjoy the time I spent with Elner and the residents of Elmwood Springs.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished rebel spring and I believe that it made my top ten books of the year. I love the action on every page and can't wait for the next one. Now I have to tackle my two book club books before I get back to school. To think that I have Been procrastinating on books. I also have to make a new 2014 goal for the upcoming year . I have heard there are going to be some great books coming out.

Finished reading Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo – 3***
Focusing her work on the residents of Annawadi, a slum built in the shadow of luxury hotels near Mumbai’s airport, Boo writes a book that tears away the film of anonymity that hides the multitude, and forces the reader to recognize their individual humanity. Once I started, I could not stop reading.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am so happy that I have finished betrayal on orbis 2 a good start for a new year. I am now trying to tackle stay with me which is my other book club book. ( I am in a boys club and a girls club just because the boys that were in our group last year thought they were reading way too many girly books as I call them, so this year we have two different groups). Well anyways I am tackling my other book and taking up all the time I have before I have to go back to school and hw and scholarships so I am trying to read this book and honestly I don't really like it. But I am attempting to read it.

Finished reading The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks (Audio book narrated by Tom Wopat) – 1*
This is typical Sparks: maudlin, overwrought, over-written, and saccharine. I figured out the twist in the first chapter. I finished it only because it fulfilled several challenges. Tom Wopat does a decent job narrating the audio version.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...