The Next Best Book Club discussion

Absolution by Susan Fleet

I just finished by Luanne Rice which I enjoyed. I am currently reading by Barbara Delinsky, which is a good summer read.

On August 1, I will start reading which is an August book discussion choice for one of my other groups.

Nigel wrote: "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..."

Thanks for the review. I'd not come across this author before and I think I'd appreciate his writing. On the TBR mountain it goes!

Weekends at Bellevue – Julie Holland, M.D.
1*

This is a memoir of one doctor’s nine years spent on the night shift at the psych E.R. I majored in psychology and really wanted to like this book. I was expecting interesting insights and some colorful and entertaining “patient profiles” (altered to protect identities). But this memoir isn’t about Bellevue and the many patients who come there. It’s about Holland.

I cannot remember when I’ve read a memoir that is more self-centered. I suppose it’s a good thing that she chose to become a psychopharmacologist (i.e. she does not treat patients with psychotherapy but with drugs); she certainly doesn’t seem to have enough insight to be successful at the traditional psychotherapy techniques.

If it weren’t for the fact that the book satisfied a challenge for a game I’m playing I would have abandoned it.

Jana Bibi’s Excellent Fortunes –Betsy Woodman
3.5***

Janet MacPherson Laird – a/k/a Jana Bibi – is a Scotwoman born and raised in India where her father was a cultural minister for Britain. In 1959 she inherits the Jolly Grant House, located in a small Himalayan village, from her grandfather. Jani brings to her new home her faithful ayah, Mary, and her extraordinary pet parrot, Mr Ganguly. When word reaches the residents that the government is considering building a dam which will put their village underwater, Jani joins with the citizens to put Hamara Nagar on the map and convince the powers that be that their village is too important to destroy.

The novel is populated by many colorful characters, and I loved them all. However, there may be too many of them, and their subplots detract from the central story. Still, this is a lovely, charming and entertaining read.

I'm reading and listening to . Very good reads so far.

Finished Old Bones by Aaron J. Elkins before bed last night. Really enjoyed this one -- and not just for the French setting. Very easy to see why it won the Edgar Award for best mystery. Have now started the fourth book in a YA series I am hooked on, Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter.

Schulz and Peanuts – David Michaelis
4****

Charles M Schulz showed a gift for drawing from early childhood, and always wanted to be a cartoonist. He was just twenty-seven when his comic strip PEANUTS debuted on Oct 2, 1950. For the rest of his life he would be the sole creator of the strip. Stricken with colon cancer and weakened by chemotherapy, he announced his official retirement and the end of the strip in a Sunday comic which appeared on Feb 13, 2000 … the morning after he died.

This is a detailed, well-researched, and balanced biography of a man who was most often described as “shy,” “humble” and “complicated.” Granted full access to family papers, business records, and the memories of those who survived Schulz, Michaelis does a wonderful job of portraying Sparky. The book includes photos of Schulz throughout his life, as well as many of the comic strips, which illustrate how PEANUTS was really Schulz’s autobiography.

The audio book, read by Holter Graham, is abridged, but still very good. I also had the text hardcover and used it to read those sections which were not included in the audio. While the audio version offers a pretty complete picture of Sparky, I recommend reading the full biography.

Just finished
Fantastic psychological thriller that brought on emotions that I have never experienced from words on a page before. It is disturbing, graphic yet heart wrenching and enthralling all at once. Probably made my top three favorite books of all time. I don't really know how to describe it other than it just really moved me. He has already won awards for this debut novel.

Like his Facebook and show him our love. <3
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Landon...

Also, only 99 cents on kindle, nook, and ibooks right now! Give it a read.

I finished Where'd You Go, Bernadette and started Sharp Objects. I'm also listening to And When She Was Good. I am enjoying Sharp Objects so far - not as good as Gone Girl IMHO.

I`m reading Queen of Babble gets Hitched. It is an amazing romance between a wedding dress fixer and and man who is in med school. The two books before this one have made me laugh smile, cry, and throw the book across the room in anger. but, this series has been amazing so far,and i look forward to reading more of it. I will also be reading prety things, and i am super exited to read another book. If anyone has any suggestions for me, i would be happy to read them!
Thanks
Kyly :)

Kyly wrote: "I`m reading Queen of Babble gets Hitched. It is an amazing romance between a wedding dress fixer and and man who is in med school. The two books before this one have made me laugh smile, cry, and ..."

Good to know. I picked up a used copy of
Queen of Babble Big Mouth, Big Heart, Big Problems / Queen of Babble in the Big City but haven't had a chance to start reading it yet.

Karen M. You should start reading it as soon as possible. it is amassing.

I just finished "The Oracle" by Frank Fiore... I was surprised to find myself addicted to it. I don't normally recommend the cheap books on Amazon... But!!!! "Oracle" was really good.

I finished The Postmistress a few days ago. I liked very much.
Now I'm reading The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise by Julia Stuart which is my bookclub pick this month.
And I'm almost done with The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin. It's being a GREAT read!

Currently reading the History of the World in 100 Objects. An extremely interesting read, I just wish it weren't so centered around European history. Well written, but a bit irritating at times, as the author mentions the British Museum's conflicts with other countries that believe certain historical objects belong to them, but does not comment or give his opinion on any of it. I'm almost done.

I'm reading Lasher by Anne Rice. Not sure I like it, I'm having a little problem with the pedophilia in that book. And the overtly describing of stuff makes for a slow read. I'm not sure I'll be able to finish it.

Just finished Inferno (Great Read) now on to Digital Fortress I go.

I just finished Queen of babble gets hitched, and am now reading pretty things.

Finished reading The Cuckoo's Calling by JK Rowling. I liked it and gave it a 4.

I just finished "Unbroken" and loved it. Now reading

I'm reading of Emily of New Moon by L.M Montgomery and the Weed that strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley

Just finished by Jamie Freveletti and by Dan Brown. Now starting by James Patterson.

I am new here, so this is my first post. Right now I am reading The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares. Its really good so far. :)

Finished reading The Feast of the Goat by Mario Vargas Llosa – 4****
Literary fiction that combines the best of historical fiction and political thriller, set against the backdrop of the last days of the Trujillo regime in the Dominican Republic. A somewhat slow start, but after about 80 pages I was completely immersed and engaged.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I'm reading Last Call for Caviar, which is apocalyptic and considering it takes place in 2014 it's kind of unnerving. Things are happening due to the environment and financial disasters which sounds pretty much like what's been going on.

I just finished reading "THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES" BY SUE MONK KIDD ,it was ok ,i did preferred "THE MERMAID CHAIR".I am starting "The Bookseller of Kabul"by Asne Seierstad",the first chapter immediately got my interest .However,i am waiting for my birthday present !the entire collection of Jane Austen.

Finished reading Waltzing at the Piggly Wiggly by Robert Dalby – 1*
I thought this sounded fun and charming, but the reality is that it is poorly written, staid and falls flat. Don’t waste your time.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Emilly R wrote: "However,i am waiting for my birthday present !the entire collection of Jane Austen. .."

Wow ... great B-day gift. Happy Birthday!

Finished the audio version of Thereby Hangs a Tail by Spencer Quinn – 3*** (Audio performed by Jim Frangione)
I continue to enjoy this series starring “Chet the Jet” and his master Bernie Little. There’s plenty of suspense and intrigue, but Chet’s ruminations on various and sundry topics – from javalinas to Bernie’s sterling qualities – are what make the books so much fun for me.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

NEW BOOK, A MUST READ!!! THIS IS AWESOME!!!

When nurse Sara Peters treats celebrity billionaire Trenton Merrick for a mysterious injury to his forehead, she is blindsided by what follows: a passionate exchange in the examination room, followed by an invitation to Trenton's mansion the next night.

Trenton spins a web of deceit and seduction around Sara that both repels and attracts her. One part humanitarian, the other international financial mogul, his professional and public life are a curious contradiction. As Sara journeys deeper into her feelings for Trenton and begins unraveling the mystery behind his injury, she finds herself embroiled in a game of trust and betrayal, where the odds are stacked in Trenton's favor, and the outcome for the loser is too terrifying to conceive.

Reading by James Patterson. Just finished Honeymoon and it was great.

I'm now 11% on The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud Looks great.

Finished listening to Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts – 4**** (Audio book performed by Kathe Mazur)
I really liked this mystery set in a small town in Oklahoma. When Mark Albright arrives from Beverly Hills in search of his birth mother he gets much more than he bargained for. Along the way to discovering what happened to his mother, he finds out more about himself, and has to decide WHO he will be in the future. Letts is a good writer and her skill with dialogue and dialect really brings the characters to life.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Starting a new one, Rough Passage to London: A Sea Captain's Tale,

Just finished rereading Gone With the Wind. I read it as a teenager so thought that 50 years later, I would give it another look. I forgot some of the plots so it was fun to read again.

Emilly R wrote: "I just finished reading "THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES" BY SUE MONK KIDD ,it was ok ,i did preferred "THE MERMAID CHAIR".I am starting "The Bookseller of Kabul"by Asne Seierstad",the first chapter immed..."

Ahhhh! My all time favorite author! Pride and Prejudice is my FAVORITE book! I love all her work. I bought her kindle books for free, but they were poorly formatted, so I spent the $2.00 on the complete works and it was done SO MUCH better! I have a copy in print too b/c I love the way the pages smell ;-) I become secretly mad when people say, "I can't read it, it's too difficult to understand", or 'It's too old'. Pride and Prejudice may be old, but it is the best book ever written, completely relevant, and the greatest love story!

To know her life, how she struggled with immune system issues, how her work was looked down upon, and how she often wrote about those things going on in the world around her that others didn't discuss, I think Jane Austen was incredibly brave and an amazing author. Plus, I couldn't imagine writing a book without a computer, spell check, etc ;-) OK, I'm done ranting now!

I'm reading Collide, or more like forcing myself to read it! I HATE IT! Perseverance.

8-9 books (it's in my profile as currently reading if you wanna check!), Including John green's The fault in our stars...

I'm currently reading and it's not as interesting as I thought it would be.. I cant get passed chapter 2. I'm about to read though! I heard that one was AMAZING!

Reading
but really slow read..
and
and one Harlequin
.
.
after that I will read As You Like It

Just finished reading the new book by Jeff Stibel called Breakpoint: Why the Web will Implode, Search will be Obsolete, and Everything Else you Need to Know about Technology is in Your Brain. The book is about networks, and how networks evolve; and it focuses on the internet (which is one enormous network). Stibel argues that the internet is still in the early phases of its evolution, and that based on how other similar networks evolve (such as the ant colony and the human brain), we can expect some big big changes out of the internet in the coming years (including the development of real intelligence and consciousness). This was an extremely interesting read. I've written a full executive summary available here: http://newbooksinbrief.com/2013/08/07...

Cheers,
Aaron

I finished Extinction Machine and Bite Me. Now I'm reading Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

just finished "the diary of a young girl", starting "the bok thief" by tommorow morning

Scott wrote: "I finished Extinction Machine and Bite Me. Now I'm reading Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children."

Miss Peregrine is a good book :)

Have just started Madame Bovary, the August read for another GR group.

Rida wrote: "just finished "the diary of a young girl", starting "the bok thief" by tommorow morning"

Hope you love The Book Thief, I sure did.

Currently reading book 4 Beautiful Redemption. Great series, can't seem to put the book down.

Just finished The Duck Commander: How Faith, Family, and Ducks Built a Dynasty bu Willie and Korie Robertson. If you like the show, you'll also like the book.

I'm also almost finished with Doll Bones by Holly Back. I'm pleasantly surprised that I'm enjoying it.

This weekend I am reading The Promise of Stardust. I am enjoying it.

Finished reading Sleep Toward Heaven by Amanda Eyre Ward – 3.5***
I was pleasantly surprised by this debut novel. Three different women, each emotionally damaged and struggling with loss, loneliness, and forgiveness, find their lives converge in a small Texas town where one awaits her execution for murder. I’d definitely read another one of her novels.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...