The Next Best Book Club discussion

Finished reading The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka – 4****
In this spare but luminously written novel, Otsuka tells the story of young Japanese women who came to America in the early 1900s, following them for several decades to the internment camps of WWII. Otsuka’s writing is strongly evocative of time and place. Highly recommended.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Judith wrote: "I also liked The Devil in White City, mostly because I grew up along the fair Midway and actually went rollerskating in White City. I also liked Larsson's second book, whose title escapes me, havin..."

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin is the second book. This one is frightening in many ways including the US ambassador in Berlin just before the war.

I'm reading a really good book The Why of Things: A Novel

I really enjoyed The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America. I also like Larson's Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History, and will put In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin on my to read list. Next up I think is the YA novel The Giver by Lois Lowry.

I have started reading Carrot Cake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #10). I am enjoying this simple book.

Finished reading Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck – 14July13 – 3.5***
I enjoyed this historical fiction novel that focuses on Hemingway and Key West in 1935, seen through the eyes of a half-Cuban / half-American 19-year-old housekeeper. Mariella is a strong young woman, trying to help her widowed mother care for her two younger sisters, but the attraction between her and Papa Hemingway is evident to everyone. I learned about the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, a piece of American history of which I was previously unaware. I would read another Robuck novel.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Just finished reading the new book by Adam Rutherford called Creation: How Science Is Reinventing Life Itself. The book looks at the latest research in genetics and focuses on 2 topics in particular: the quest to understand how life originated in the first place; and the burgeoning field of synthetic biology (the effort to turn genetic manipulation into an engineering science). The book is well-written and highly informative. I've written a full executive summary available here: http://newbooksinbrief.com/2013/07/10...

Cheers,
Aaron

Am just starting Arabella by Georgette Heyer, a classic Regency romance and group read for another group here at GR.

I'm reading Down There on a Visit, which is my first Isherwood and free one on my Kindle The Corner Cafe: A Tasty Collection of Short Stories, .

I finished up Carrot Cake Murder, and I am almost finished with The Long-Shining Waters. I am enjoying both of these.

I am almost finished with Where'd You Go, Bernadette which is quite good and funny and am also listening to the audiotape of Every Last One which is a good but not a "fun" read.

Finished listening to the audio version of The Piano Teacher by Janice Y K Lee – 3.5***
Good historical fiction focusing on the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong during WW2, and the after effects on the colony’s residents some ten years after the war. Claire Pendleton (the piano teacher) reminds me of Somerset Maugham’s Kitty Fane (The Painted Veil), though she isn’t quite so well-drawn. This is Lee’s debut novel; I would read another book by her.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I'm reading Lucifer's tears by James Thompson.

I am reading the final book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Dead Ever After Really bummed that this is the final book.

Finished reading Durable Goods by Elizabeth Berg – 4****
I enjoyed this coming-of-age novel narrated by 12-year-old Katie Nash. Her mother had died; her 18-year-old sister can’t be bother; her father increasingly lashes out in anger. Still, Katie is a keen observer of life; she’s resilient, sensitive and courageous. I fell in love with her.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished the audio book Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland – 3*** - Audio read by Karen White
Vreeland turns her attention to Renoir’s masterpiece Le dejeuner des canotiers and how he gathered fourteen distinct individuals to depict a circle of friends enjoying a lovely summer’s day on a café terrace overlooking the Seine. Karen White does a credible job of the audio, but I think I might have enjoyed the work more if I had read it rather than listened.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood

I'm in page 60 of The Postmistress By Sarah Blake and really enjoying it.

Aaron wrote: "Just finished reading the new book by Adam Rutherford called Creation: How Science Is Reinventing Life Itself. The book looks at the latest research in genetics and focuses on 2 topics in particula..."

Looks pretty interesting!

I am currently reading The English Girlby Daniel Silva and Fin and Lady: A Novel by Cathleen Schine and listening to Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky

I also just received a notice from the library that my reserved copy of The Son by Philip Meyer is ready for me to pick up. Will do this on Monday since our library is closed on Sundays in the summer months.

I'm reading The Secret Adversary and Recalled To Life.

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I am almost finished with the e-book...Roses, this has been an interesting read.

I'm currently reading Conversations With Nostradamus: His Prophecies Explaned, Vol. 1 by Dolores Cannon.

Finished and loved it. Can't wait to read Cory and Willie's book. I'm now reading .

I finished The King of Plagues and Assassin's Code. Now I'm going to start Extinction Machine.

At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks

I'm listening to The Stand by Stephen King and reading House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. I might never read another book because I'll never be finished reading these crazy things.

by Brain Coffey (aka Dean Koontz)

Finished reading Joy School by Elizabeth Berg – 4****
This is book two in the Katie Nash coming-of-age trilogy. Here Katie tries to make new friends in a new city and new school. The books are marketed for adults, but they are suitable for teens as well.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I'm reading Kateri Tekakwitha: Mohawk Maiden by Evelyn M. Brown.

Leslie,

What do you think of House of Leaves? I read that several years ago.

Book Concierge wrote: "Finished reading Joy School by Elizabeth Berg – 4****
This is book two in the Katie Nash coming-of-age trilogy. Here Katie tries to make new friends in a new city and new school. The books are ma..."

Another Elizabeth Berg book I loved. Can't wait to hear what you think about True to Form if you plan on also reading the concluding book in the trilogy.

I continue to read The English Girl by Daniel Silva and added the audio for Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver last night.

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

Hate to say it but after listening to two disks of Flight Behavior, I've given up on this title.

I am reading Solomon's Oak by Joann Mapson. So far so good.

Finished listening to 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber – 1*
Audio read by Sandra Burr.

I can see why Macomber is a hugely popular romance writer, but this is way too melodramatic for my tastes.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Nancy wrote: "Hate to say it but after listening to two disks of Flight Behavior, I've given up on this title."

My book group tried that for our group earlier this year and I have to agree, I was disappointed too. I've loved so much of Kingsolver's work, but this one just didn't grab me and keep me. I didn't finish.

That said, when she comes out with her next book, I'll definitely give it a look! The Poisonwood Bible and Prodigal Summer are among my all-time favorite books so whenever she puts out another book I'll at least give it a try.

My book group - meeting tonight for our annual Summer on the Rooftop meeting, I can't wait!!! - just re-read Wallace Stegner's Crossing to Safety. We read it ten or fifteen years ago and wanted to see how it has changed as we have aged. It was one of our all-time favorites back in the day, and I'd say it still is, but age has definitely colored my perspective. The book felt so much sadder this time around, so much more poignant. If you haven't read it, definitely give it a try.

I'm also listening to Seth Godin's The Icarus Deception on audio book - almost done. As an artist I'm so inspired by what he says in the book, especially thoughts on risk and creating, all of it, really. I think it's good as an audio book; not sure I'd enjoy it quite as much if I read it, though I'm not sure why? But it's good stuff!

The Poisonwood Bible and Prodigal Summer are among my all-time favorite books so whenever she puts out another book I'll at least give it a try.

Pam - I did read Prodigal Summer which I enjoyed but again, I never could get into Poisonwood Bible. I think there are some books and titles which intimidate m and Poisonwood was one of them. Authors who do this to me are John Irving and Joyce Carol Oates and Phillip Roth.

Book Concierge wrote: "Finished listening to 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber – 1*
Audio read by Sandra Burr.

I can see why Macomber is a hugely popular romance writer, but this is way too melodramatic for my t..."

I feel the same way about her but I do encourage other readers to try the book below:

Between Friends

I am a magnet to books and movies about prep schools, camps, universities boarding schools, public schools and private schools. I loved School Ties, Mr. Holland's Opus, A Separate Peace, Prep and on and on and on. I recently read a blurb about a book called The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girlsand immediately reserved it from my library. I picked it up yesterday and read the first few pages and found myself really enjoying them and then made a critical error by reading some reviews at Amazon. With 3 and a half stars I don 't know if this read will be worth it. I am so annoyed that I id this and should be able to use my own mind but since there out there I read them and mainly only the 1 star reviews at that.

Nancy wrote: "Authors who do this to me are John Irving and Joyce Carol Oates and Phillip Roth."

I think I'm one of the few people on earth who didn't like Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany"! Ha!

Nancy, have you read Donna Tartt's The Secret History? I don't know if that counts as the kind of book you like having to do with schools? It's a great read, though dark.

I have just started The Kissing Gates by Mackenzie Ford, after a friend highly recommended it. It is set during the first world war, so I love it already.

Pam wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Authors who do this to me are John Irving and Joyce Carol Oates and Phillip Roth."

I think I'm one of the few people on earth who didn't like Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany"! Ha!
..."

I may try this some day but no too soon.

I never did read The Secret History but have it downloaded. I would recommend Red Leaves by Paullina Simons which takes place on the campus of Dartmouth where several of our family members attended.

Sharon wrote: "I have just started The Kissing Gates by Mackenzie Ford, after a friend highly recommended it. It is set during the first world war, so I love it already."

I also enjoy books which take place before and after WWI primarily in England. Have you read the Maisie Dobbs series written by Jacqueline Winspear? She is one neat character and the books are really good.

Unexpected Lessons in Love by Bernardine Bishop

Currently reading , a book that has been on my to-read list since it was first published years ago, so I'm glad to finally be reading it. Good so far.

I've just read the amazing Cockfighter. It's a brilliant read and the writing is sublime.

Here are my longer thoughts if you have any time:

Books like Cockfighter remind me of how I came to love literature in the first place. It offers a wonderful sense of being transported to an entirely different place, seeing the world through the eyes of others and then ensuring that I’m so captivated by a series of events that all I want to do in life at a given moment (well, most given moments) is return to the next page.
The quote at the beginning of the book is from Ezra Pound – “What matters is not the idea a man holds, but the depth at which he holds it.” There’s plenty of depth in evidence here as protagonist Frank takes the reader into the life of a serious cockfighter.
Frank is such a passionate man that he’s vowed, unbeknownst to anyone else, to remain silent until he gains the coveted mark of respect that is the silver medal that marks someone out as the cock handler of the year (sniggers really don’t fit on this occasion!). He explains himself a little here:
‘No one, other than myself, knew about my vow, and I could have broken it at any time without losing face. But I would know, and I had to shave every day.”
That last phrase is the kind of poetic turn that give the story an extra edge – Willeford allows his character to tell his tale without relying on the mundane.
When we meet Frank, he’s on the cusp of losing everything – his money, his last fighting bird, his car and his trailer home – on one fight with an old adversary. It’s a hugely dramatic opening and, at risk of spoiling that drama (look away now) it ends up with Frank leaving the pit with only $10, a coop, a few clothes and a guitar.
Given a lift by an old friend who has been forced to retire, he’s offered the chance to buy the perfect bird, Icarus, for the hugely inflated sum of $500. Frank has a choice – to promise to buy the bird or to give up the game and return home to marry his patient, conservative fiancée. Frank’s passion means there’s only one option and he sets off to find the money he needs.
What follows is the engrossing sequence of events that will lead up to Frank having the chance to make his personal dream come true.
Cockfighter reads like a novel from the depression era, but is set in the 1960s. In some ways, it points to the hangover of values that are old-fashioned in ways that might be seen as good and bad. Frank has his own mixture of values, and his own liberal(ish) views are often contradicted by his animal self or by society. Race and gender are particular areas of interest here.
He holds strong opinions on the nature of work and the illusions created by a capitalist society. When looking for a job, he comments:
‘The majority of the situations that were open in the agate columns were for salesmen. And a man who can’t talk can’t sell anything.’
Or on bigger dreams:
‘I liked the man for what he was and respected him for what he was trying to be. But unlike me, Doc lived with a dream that was practically unattainable. All I wanted to be was the best cockfighter who had ever lived. Doc, who had already reached his late fifties, wanted to be a big time capitalist and financier.’
The series of adventures in the book are brilliantly told. There’s a wonderful use of dramatic tension which left me hungry to find out what would happen next. When the final full stop was reached, my appetite was entirely satisfied.
Here’s a book the likes of which I wish I could write myself. Given the talent on show and my own limitations that’s very unlikely, but just like Frank I don’t see the harm in setting such a high goal. Maybe I should take a vow of silence; if nothing else I suspect my wife and colleagues would be happier that way.
Tremendous.

Currently reading Inferno by Dan Brown. I have exactly 100 pages to go. It is a great read full of suspense and unexpected twists and turns. Closer to the end nothing is as it has seemed to be throughout the book! Highly recommend it!

I'm reading A Rare Vintage which is a little wine, a lot of sex and some complications. LOL So far it's rather good. I also started The Naked Gardener which I'm not into far enough to comment on.