THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

I thought I had already posted this, but I don't see it on the board. I am reading Not for Packrats Only by Don Aslett. I am moving soon and am trying to get rid of a lot of clutter. Don is the expert in decluttering. I'm learning from the best.

Currently exploring 'Essays of Robert Louis Stevenson'
I'm not familier with his non-fiction works so this is a first. Quite interesting thus far though!

Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb. I am reading it because I like the batman mythology and I wanted to read a graphic novel.

Now starting THE READER as a Buddy Read with a friend and I am deeply interested in seeing how Hollywood will have sliced and diced this one to mold it into an acceptable screenplay.......

DJ wrote: "Now starting THE READER as a Buddy Read with a friend and I am deeply interested in seeing how Hollywood will have sliced and diced this one to mold it into an acceptable screenplay......."

Actually, the movie The Reader is quite faithful to the book as I recall.

Stuart wrote: "Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb. I am reading it because I like the batman mythology and I wanted to read a graphic novel."

never read a graphic novel, Stuart- real interestedin how you compare the experience to reading a regular novel

Alexia wrote: "Rick wrote: "I always read two books at the same time! Usually a current thriller or mystery and a classic- Right now I am just finishing up- The Elusive Pimpernel- the sequel to The Scarlet Pimper..."

YES!! I read the sequel- there are about 5 more Pimpernel books- it was great- and made alot of references to the first book. Most definately- Alexia- it is worth reading the next book in the series

have just started Ian McEwan's latest 'Solar'. Pretty good so far. McEwan looks like to be attempting a little farce into his writing this time.

I am reading Teacher Man by Frank McCourt. I enjoyed 'Tis and Angela's Ashes so much with it's Irish pathos and humor and am looking forward to his brilliant story-telling.

I am another one of those people who tend to read multiple books at one time. Currently I am reading:

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell - My husband and I started reading books together by reading out loud to each other in the evenings before we go to sleep. This is our current book.

Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo - This book is a murder mystery/thriller that is a group read for another group I am in.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - I am reading this book with an on-line friend. We are trying to read 200 pages per week and PMing to discuss every Wednesday. Another friend told us that the best translation is the Penguin Classics Unabridged edition, and I must say, it is really good.

I also read multiple books, right now I'm reading:

Horns by Joe Hill

The Hidden Man by David Ellis

Tripwire by Lee Child

I am reading them all for pleasure.

I'm beginning an asian theme right now. I read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan in February (and really liked it) for a book club and so I decided to go through my bookshelves and gather all my unread books with an asian setting. So I've just finished Peony in Love, Memoirs of a Geisha, and Women of the Silk. Now I'm starting The Language of Threads: A Novel. I've got another 8 or so books to go.

Jo wrote: "I started Marked"

Jo- for sure- let us know what your review of Marked is when you finish it

Here is some info on a great writer- very worthy of your attention

Jonathan Tropper is the author of Everything Changes, The Book of Joe , which was a Booksense selection, and Plan B. He lives with his wife, Elizabeth, and their children in Westchester, New York, where he teaches writing at Manhattanville College. How To Talk To A Widower was optioned by Paramount Pictures, and Everything Changes and The Book of Joe are also in development as feature films.

-Information from www.jonathantropper.com [close:] Jonathan Tropper is the author of Everything Changes, The Book of Joe , which was a Booksense selection, and Plan B. He lives with his wife, Elizabeth, and their children in Westchester, New York, where he teaches writing at Manhattanville College. How To Talk To A Widower was optioned by Paramount Pictures, and Everything Changes and The Book of Joe are also in development as feature films.

-Information from www.jonathantropper.com

I am now reading The Shack by William P. Young, as it is my offline book club book.

Rick wrote: "of the three books I am currently reading!! The Princes in the Tower- a historical biography of Edward IV's sons and the mystery surrounding their murder(Was it Richard III??) is driving me nuts!!!..."

I have not yet read this one. Thumbs up?
I would highly recommend The Daughter of Time
A bed bound detective tries to solve the murder of the two princes.

I am starting to read Eat, Pray, Love for 2 reasons. One is that my sister highly recommends it and feels it is very inspirational. The other is that I worked on the movie as background and want to have read the book before the movie comes out. I've read 2 pages and already I'm fascinated by its premise.

Just read The Mayor of Casterbridge. What a fantastic story!
Thomas Hardy: Tess of the D'Urbervilles; The Mayor of Casterbridge; Far from the Madding Crowd are also excellent.

Kevin wrote: "Just read The Mayor of Casterbridge. What a fantastic story!
Thomas Hardy: Tess of the D'Urbervilles; The Mayor of Casterbridge; Far from the Madding Crowd are also exc..."

I agree Kevin- love Thomas Hardy- have most of his books - either in print or on my Kindle- highly recommend his work to those who have not tried him yet

Jo wrote: "I'm reading Carrie"

did you see the Movie?

Rick wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Just read The Mayor of Casterbridge. What a fantastic story!
[book:Thomas Hardy: Tess of the D'Urbervilles; The Mayor of Casterbridge; Far from the Madding Crowd|6898..."

I also love Thomas Hardy. His novels are exquisite. Have you read any of his poetry? I'm not a big fan of poetry, but Hardy's is quite excellent.

I have not read Hardy's poetry. Is there a collection you recommend? Thanks!

Kevin wrote: "I have not read Hardy's poetry. Is there a collection you recommend? Thanks!"

Melissa wrote: "Rick wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Just read The Mayor of Casterbridge. What a fantastic story!
[book:Thomas Hardy: Tess of the D'Urbervilles; The Mayor of Casterbridge; Far from the Maddin..."

Melissa, Kevin

Here is a link that where you can read his poetry - compomplete- for free!

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/3168

Rick wrote: "Kevin wrote: "I have not read Hardy's poetry. Is there a collection you recommend? Thanks!"

Melissa wrote: "Rick wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Just read The Mayor of Casterbridge. What a..."

Rick wrote: "Kevin wrote: "I have not read Hardy's poetry. Is there a collection you recommend? Thanks!"

Melissa wrote: "Rick wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Just read The Mayor of Casterbridge. What

Thanks Melissa!






a..."

Kevin wrote: "Rick wrote: "Kevin wrote: "I have not read Hardy's poetry. Is there a collection you recommend? Thanks!"

Melissa wrote: "Rick wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Just read [book:The Mayor of Casterbridge|5675..."

Count me in as another fan of Hardy. Probably my favorite is "Far from the Madding Crowd". I liked the film version as well with Julie Christie as Bathsheba.

Kevin wrote: "Just read The Mayor of Casterbridge. What a fantastic story!
Thomas Hardy: Tess of the D'Urbervilles; The Mayor of Casterbridge; Far from the Madding Crowd are also exc..."

I love FFTMC and Tess! I have a few more Hardy books including The Mayor of Casterbridge and can't wait to read them!

I'm reading The Razor's Edge right now.

My 2010 project is to read all of W. Somerset Maugham's work.

Carly wrote: "I'm reading The Razor's Edge right now.

My 2010 project is to read all of W. Somerset Maugham's work."

The Razor's Edge was made into a very good movie in the 1940's - W. Somerset Maugham was played by the (second best voice-we all know who had the best voice :>)in movies - the Great Herbert Marshall

Rick wrote: "Carly wrote: "I'm reading The Razor's Edge right now.

My 2010 project is to read all of W. Somerset Maugham's work."

The Razor's Edge was made into a very good movie in the 1940's - W. Some..."

I highly recommend the Painted Veil by W.somerset Maugham both book and 2006 movie.

Sawyer wrote: "Rick wrote: "Carly wrote: "I'm reading The Razor's Edge right now.

My 2010 project is to read all of W. Somerset Maugham's work."

The Razor's Edge was made into a very good movie in the 1940..."

Sawyer........Herbert Marshall was quite good in "The Little Foxes" as the husband/victim of Bette Davis. I think we can safely put him in the same category with James Mason........handsome, elegant, suave, and a wonderful voice
I liked Maugham's "Ashenden" stories which Hitchcock combined to make "Secret Agent" with John Gielgud, Madeline Carroll and Peter Lorre. I have not read "Red"....will have to find that one.

Sheila wrote: "Rick wrote: "Carly wrote: "I'm reading The Razor's Edge right now.

My 2010 project is to read all of W. Somerset Maugham's work."

The Razor's Edge was made into a very good movie in the 1940's -..."

I would highly recommend watching the original 1930's version of The Painted Veil
The Film of Moon and a Sixpence (based on Gaugin) was excellant too- with YES HERBERT MARSHALL- and another suave Great- George Sanders

Gore Vidal published a series of mysteries under the pen name Edgar Box - Death in the Fifth Position,Death Likes It Hot,Death Before Bedtime, all three I recommend.

and also Thieves Fall Out as Cameron Kay.

Ivan wrote: "Gore Vidal published a series of mysteries under the pen name Edgar Box - Death in the Fifth Position,Death Likes It Hot,Death Before Bedtime, all three ..."

very interesting Ivan- I did not know that
any idea how he came up with his pen names?
facinating topic- how authors came up with their Pen names (Cecil Day-Lewis - aka Nicholas Blake ect)

Fruits Basket, Volume 10

The Sweet Far Thing

The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories

I'm so far hating The Sweet Far Thing, so far loving Fruits Basket, Volume 10, and am only one page into The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories

Hannah wrote: "Fruits Basket, Volume 10

The Sweet Far Thing

The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories

I'm so far hating The Sweet Far Thing, so far loving [..."


curious how you enjoy The Yellow Wallpaper - Charlotte Perkins Gilman was one of the very best short story writers

I am currently reading:

Not for Packrats Only
The Screwtape Letters
Rebecca

I am about to listen to:

A Great and Terrible Beauty

Catamorandi wrote: "I am currently reading:

Not for Packrats Only
The Screwtape Letters
Rebecca

I am about to listen to:

A Great and Terrible Beauty"

Catamorandi wrote: "I am currently reading:

Not for Packrats Only
The Screwtape Letters
Rebecca

I am about to listen to:

A Great and Terrible Beauty"

be great if you can post comments on The Screwtape Letters in the CS Lewis/GK Chesterston Discussion in Author Forums section - love to hear your thoughts compared with those already posted!

I'm working on a couple of books, now Evangelical Theology by Karl Barth, and the first two weather warden books...recommended bu a clerk at the books store (so forcefully I didn't get out without purchasing the first 4..."You have to get at least the first 4 they go together!).

I'm also in the process of trying to organize the place we've just moved into (shelves so you can "almost find something, boxes emptied so you can get get through the place, getting the kitchen cleared so that in a week or two I'll be able to cook and my daughter and I can live on more than crackers, cheese.processed meat, peanut butter etc.) So, I'm also listening to one of the Dresden books on CD. Some of my favorite novels.

never heard of The weather warden books- what are they about?

Light brain candy...I'm only about half way through the first one. They're urban fantasy...people born with "magic power" to control earth, fire, water, air...some can control weather (air/water) etc. Not bad, like I said, the clerk at Books-A-Million is apparently an addict :) when I mentioned I liked the Dresden Books she said something along the lines of "OHHH! YOU MUST READ THESE!" and "OHHHH, GET ALL THE FIRST FOUR, THEY'RE CLIFF HANGERS AND YOU'LL HATE IT IF YOU DON'T!" Who was I to shatter her dreams...I bought all four.:) The first one isn't bad so far. Okay, so I'm a push over.

Jo wrote: "Rick wrote: "Jo wrote: "I'm reading Carrie"

did you see the Movie?"

No i'm going to rent it when i'm done with the book."

Rent the one with Sissy Spacek, there is also a made for television one that is awful.

MARILYN wrote: "Jo wrote: "Rick wrote: "Jo wrote: "I'm reading Carrie"

did you see the Movie?"

No i'm going to rent it when i'm done with the book."

Rent the one with Sissy Spacek, there is a..."

TO ME SIsSY SPACEK IS CARRIE (and Loretta Lynn)

I've just finished reading The Man From Saigonby Marti Leimbach as a Librarything Early Reviewer book, and I'm getting ready to start reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy.

Nancy wrote: "I've just finished reading The Man From Saigonby Marti Leimbach as a Librarything Early Reviewer book, and I'm getting ready to start reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy."

I would be quite interested to learn what you think about The Road - once you finish it- saw it in B&N and it looked very interesting

Currently reading The Frozen Deep - Wilkie Collins

Rose wrote: "Currently reading The Frozen Deep - Wilkie Collins"

Rose- you must tellme how you enjoyed it- Collins is my favorite writer- have you ever read The Lady And The Law by him? I recently did and it was terrific

I finished Captain Blood by Sabatini- it was the perfect Pirate novel- historically accurate with very well drawn characters and excellant battle scenes- I really have a new insight on 18th century Piracy now

I just (still) like Sabatini. He was at one time thought of as a "boy's" writer. Still good.

Today, I started on Women in the Old Testament: 20 Psychological Portraits, a nonfiction book by British historical novelist Norah Lofts, who's been mentioned on this thread before. The "why" would be a promise I made (last year!) to a Goodreads friend, over on the Norah Lofts fan group, to give her my opinion on this book. (I'm finally getting around to keeping it. :-))

Me Cheeta: The Autobiography by James Lever for the fun of it. I am hoping it will end up a good Hollywood satire.