Short & Sweet Treats discussion

oh. hopefully! ! I find it tough reading a book where you do not like the main character

I just finished A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Also, I'm in the middle of a long buddy read of The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy (a really fantastic book). And I've begun The Hours by Michael Cunningham which I love so far - exquisitely written! Will comment more in the monthly read thread as I get further.

Greg wrote: "I just finished A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Also, I'm in the middle of a long buddy read of The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy (a ..."

What did you think of A Wrinkle in Time Greg? I do not recall reading it during my childhood but is has been on my (adult) tbr shelf for a while now. :)

Same here. One of those books I wish had been a classroom read instead of Caddie Woodlawn. I hated that book.

Hoping to get caught up over the next few weeks with various book club reads. Christmas and Holiday stuff put me behind.

I finally finished Hiroshima! Such an emotional journey but it was something I felt I needed to read. Our history is important...the good and the bad.

Reading the last unicorn now. Almost done listening to Mistborn, which is so so good!!!

I'm reading the book "S" by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst, which is a whole new experience! The book is really unique, in that it is made to look like a 1940's library book titled THE SHIP OF THESEUS, but the margins are crammed with notes back and forth between two college students, Eric and Jen. In additions, the book is filled with strange inserts--I'm really enjoying solving both the mysteries of the book and those of the marginalia people!

It's very unique, but requires much patience. I'm taking Abrams' suggestion on how to read it chapter by chapter. First, read THE SHIP OF THESEUS, and then go back and read Eric and Jen's notes to each other.

Here are Abrams and Dorst in a 4 minute interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzrhT...

And here is an image of the book itself:

Looks like a fun read Julia!

Lisa wrote: "What did you think of..."

Lisa and Jessica, I enjoyed A Wrinkle in Time very much - it's hard to be objective since I have such fond memories of reading and loving it as a child, but I still think it's a great imaginative story. I particularly like Aunt Beast - won't say more than that so I don't give anything away. A good hearted and satisfying story overall, at least for me. :)

Thanks Greg. :)

Thank you my good man! Hoping to read it soon. It's a series now correct? I thought I had seen books leading me to believe that.

Thank you my good man! Hoping to read it soon. It's a series now correct? I thought I had seen books leading me to believe that.

@Jessica- Yep, there are five books in the series.

The Wrinkle in Time Quintet - Digest Size Boxed Set

Quite right Lisa :) I actually haven't read the last two in the series because they came out later than the first three (in the 80s I believe). I will at some point though.

I just started The Iliad. It's actually been a quicker read than I had anticipated.

Listening to the second book in the Mistborn trilogy. Started reading the Death Cure today.

Finished The Last Unicorn but it was the graphic novel version. I'm thinking and hoping the actual story is better. Anyone read both?

I read the Iliad as well art of my Greek Mythology course (well we read parts of it as per curriculum but I ended up reading the entire thing) and I was also surprised by the flow of it. The translators have done a very good job and it was a tonne of help (and very interesting!) reading the footnotes or glossary.

I'm listening to Everything I never told you by Celeste Ng which was a Goodreads 2014 Debut Author nominee. It is a slow paced family drama set in the '70s and while it is a perfectly good book, it is definitely not my cup of tea.

I am currently reading The Runaway by Martina Cole. I first found the adaptation of the book by chance about a month ago. I watched it and really enjoyed it. I then found out it was a book so I bought it. It's really good so far. It is a big book though, 663 pages. I am surprised at how fast I am getting through it. My page number currently is 82.

I'm reading the scarlet letter and dubliners. I'm taking the latter one at about 1 story a day so they don't get tiresome or run together.

I'm reading The Pickwick Papers. It's going much slower than I expected! I'm ready to be done with it and I'm not quite halfway there. Hopefully it'll grab my interest soon!

I'm going through a David Mitchell phase after reading Bone Clocks, I am now reading Black Swan Green. They are quite different though so I have had to adjust.

I'm going through a David Mitchell phase after reading Bone Clocks, I am now reading Black Swan Green. They are quite different though so I have had to adjust.

I got a hold of the galley of this book and it is the best thriller I have read in years from what I have read so far. There is an amazing secret world for the black market for organs that I knew nothing about and the protagonist in this novel explains it all, while racing around the globe trying to prevent a murder and trying to make up for his own sins. Incredible book. The Organ Broker

I read the synopsis Neal and it looks like a really interesting book. And I can see all the other reviewers share your enthusiasm for the book with their 5-stars ratings. Onto my TBR shelf it goes!

I just started Twilight. Never thought I would read it, but something told me to try it .

Let us know how it goes!

LaLaLa Laura wrote: "I just started Twilight. Never thought I would read it, but something told me to try it ."

I loved that series! Couldn't put it down. Luckily, I didn't start it until all four books were published. Otherwise, the suspense would have killed me.

it is good so far! I never thought I'd get into it ! But I am! I didn't know there were four books. I thought it was just 3!

I'm reading 3 books at the moment, one for a Goodreads' group, one for a Meet Up group, and one is a light fun read for me.
Gone with the Wind
The Storyteller
Double Fudge Brownie Murder

how do u like GWtW, Jen?!

Laura,

Overall, I'm enjoying the story, which surprised me. I grew up in the north, so I never wanted to read the story after living for 18 years in Atlanta. Many folks there act like the war is still on. The story is beautifully written, there are a few characters that grate my nerves. The language is a bit harsh on the ears, but I know it's the times. Hope to finish it in a couple of days, has taken me 2 months to read.

(view spoiler)[
Scarlett strikes me as a very unusual woman for her times, shunning gentility (but struggling because she knows it's the expectation). She seems to suffer from many internal struggles and had evolved in the struggles with her experiences during the war (loving Rhett, Ashley, and Melanie).
I thought the parts on how Southern Wealth treated their slaves better than the Yankees after the war was interesting. I'd like to read more about that.

Mitchell was completely off base stating that Rock Island was as awful as Andersonville Prison, not true at all. I also didn't like how Prissy was portrayed, she was an absolute nut! Even the actress didn't think that most house slaves would have been that wild and anxious.

Rhett is my favorite character, he speaks his mind and does what is best for him, he may be a bit self (like Scarlett), but I like that he doesn't pretend to follow along with an idea that he disagrees with and he has a great deal of foresight.

Frank is my least favorite character, "Don't worry your little pretty little head, sugar..." And, taking Scarlett's money from the sawmills and depositing in his own accounts! He didn't support her ownership, he had no business taking the money. And, thinking a baby would soften a woman, what a load of malarky!

I'm at the section where Rhett and Scarlett are engaged and she just received her ostentatious ring. LOL
(hide spoiler)]

I just finished a short novel, an ebook When Saigon Surrendered and loved it! A great character narrating a historical mystery. First novel by that author, hope he does more.

I just finished Miramont's Ghost last night (very good but very sad) and have started The Paper Magician. I can't wait to start Half Wild but I have listed it as part of my May "Pick It For Me" read in another group so can't start it until next week!

1. At the Water's Edge
2. Double Fudge Brownie Murder
3. The Nightingale

More than half way through All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and about half way through Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. Very different books but I'm enjoying both immensely!

They are both wonderful works of art, Greg. I enjoyed them both, never wanted them to end.

They go together well too Jen - one darker and one lighter; so I can choose which one to read based on my mood at the moment :)

I'm reading the strange and (so far) compelling The Bees by Laline Paull.

Reading a Infinite Jest and The Martian.

Reading a Infinite Jest and The Martian.

Jessica! They said Infinite Jest is a hard book, is it?
Btw I am rereading a trilogy :) Hunger Games! Can't get enough of Peets and Katniss ;)

Peeta*

It's definitely time consuming. You have to work at times when you read it. I have to be comety alone and or in a quiet place when I read it. It is entertaining though. It's got a dark humor like Fargo/ The Cowen brothers.

I'm reading other stuff while I tackle it which has helped a lot.

If you like Hunger Games, check into reading the Chaos Walking series by Patrick ness. Soooo good!!!

Greg- You are reading two of my all time favorite books. All the Light We Cannot See was definitely my top rated novel of 2014 and I am hanging onto the hardbound version to reread at some point. So happy to hear that you are enjoying them both. :)

Allison- The Bees has been on my tbr list for a while; absolutely love the cover of too.

LaLaLa Laura wrote: "I just started Twilight. Never thought I would read it, but something told me to try it ."

What did you think of Twilight Laura? I read it 4 years but I likely wouldn't read it again. Been there, done that, lol! :)

Currently, I am reading The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry and Emma: A Modern Retelling. Thankfully both are shorter/lighter reads, although the first novel does have some sad events in it.

Lisa wrote: "Greg- You are reading two of my all time favorite books. All the Light We Cannot See was definitely my top rated novel of 2014 and I am hanging onto the hardbound version to reread ..."

Yay Lisa!! :)

By the way, I love your Snoopy and Woodstock profile pic. Recently enjoyed watching 'It's the Easter Beagle Charlie Brown' as I do every year.

Thank you Greg! :) I <3 all the Peanuts characters, especially Snoopy and Woodstock. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is my favorite but all of the Peanuts holiday specials that originally aired during the 1960s through the mid 1970s are awesome!

Oh that one is awesome too Lisa! I love fanciful Linus and his passionate belief in the Easter Beagle and the Great Pumpkin! :)

These are my favorite quotes Greg. What deceptively simple but amazing writing!

Sally Brown: I was robbed! I spent the whole night waiting for the Great Pumpkin, when I could have been out for tricks or treats.
[covers her mouth, as she realizes what she's saying]
Sally Brown: Halloween is over, and I missed it!
[pointing at Linus]
Sally Brown: You blockhead! You kept me up all night waiting for the Great Pumpkin, and all that came was a beagle! I didn't get a chance to go out for tricks or treats. And it was all your fault! I'll sue! What a fool I was! I could have had candy apples and gum and cookies and money and all sorts of things. But no! I had to listen to you, you blockhead. What a fool I was. Trick or treats come only once a year, and I missed it by sitting in a pumpkin patch with a blockhead.
[shakes Linus violently by his shirt]
Sally Brown: YOU OWE ME RESTITUTION!

Jess! Your suggestion is very timely. I'm looking for new books to read. :)
Btw, I've read Twilight. Meyer's writing style is okay, I actually like it. I mean, it's so descriptive. The plot sucks, though.