THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

That's a good idea.

s•u•n•s•h•i•n•e §KENZ§ «mickey» wrote: "That's a good idea."

wow!!!!!!! I remember when I had to memorize Jaberwocky- what a mountain to climb! but I know you will do fine mickey, and isnt it wonderful how fellow group members offer their advice and support!

Jennifer wrote: "It always helped me to write it out stanza by stanza a few times and read it aloud as I did. It eventually sunk in."

Jennifer- you are very kind to offer such sound advice to a fellow member!!!

Rick wrote: "s•u•n•s•h•i•n•e §KENZ§ «mickey» wrote: "That's a good idea."

wow!!!!!!! I remember when I had to memorize Jaberwocky- what a mountain to climb! but I know you will do fine mickey, and isnt it wo..."

Our district's honour choir is singing that song. It's very... interesting, to say the least.

s•u•n•s•h•i•n•e §KENZ§ «mickey» wrote: "Rick wrote: "s•u•n•s•h•i•n•e §KENZ§ «mickey» wrote: "That's a good idea."

wow!!!!!!! I remember when I had to memorize Jaberwocky- what a mountain to climb! but I know you will do fine mickey, a..."

haha I think you are being kind when you describe it as "interesting" its plain weird!!!!

I didn't even get the name of the poem right ... it's 30 stanzas long! I only got 5 pages read before I started nodding off. I'm reading them all in chronological order of publishing dates (which might mean I haven't even gotten to the ones that are considered great works).

I haven't seen anything overly dark-toned yet. A lot of romanticism - the ones that he sent to ladies he admired and desired.

Thanks, Catamorandi!

I've never participated in a reading group. I think Rick's issues are valid. It's hard to pick one that everyone has access to. It's harder still to manage one that focuses on "adult themes"; I'm definitely not interested in picking a team. Vote for Team E or Team J. Sorry if you're a big Meyers fan. :o)

I agree.

"He took his vorpal sword in hand, long time the manxome for he sought."

Tod wrote: "I didn't even get the name of the poem right ... it's 30 stanzas long! I only got 5 pages read before I started nodding off. I'm reading them all in chronological order of publishing dates (which m..."

Tod,
Appreciate your comments- I just want to be inclusive- for ALL members! and there are some who might not like chosen title- or simply cannot afford to purchase it- and it is the last goal of this Group toput someone in such an uneasy position.
I would really appreciate it if you would check out the poem I re-printed from a short story in the FAVORITE BRITISH QUOTES" discussion - love to hear your thoughts- and any info you might have- I do not believe it was a British Writer though.
Rick

s•u•n•s•h•i•n•e §KENZ§ «mickey» wrote: "I agree.

"He took his vorpal sword in hand, long time the manxome for he sought.""

owwwwww!! Im having a Jaberwocky flashback!!

lol, I don't know all the words to the song yet, but the tune gets stuck in your head forever.

Well, his short stories are more dark...Tell Tale Heart...creepy!! His famous work The Raven is more dark romanticism.Loses his love and his soul. Quoth the Raven, Nevermore! Most of his stuff is Gothic in nature, but they put him in the dark romanticism category.

I just finished I am Legend and enjoyed it (but for any of you who have seen the movie, but not read the book...they are VERY different!) I was also suprised that Matheson(the author) wrote Somewhere In Time. That one is on my to read list. I'm listening to The Black Echo by Michael Connelly.

Sadie wrote: "I just finished I am Legend and enjoyed it (but for any of you who have seen the movie, but not read the book...they are VERY different!) I was also suprised that Matheson(the author) wrote Somewh..."

Love the Harry Bosch books- SOMEWHERE IN TIME- was that made into a movie with the late Chris Reeve?

Catamorandi, I read the entire Sookie series and LOVED them! You might also find them a happy surprise!

Rick, Somewhere in Time is the movie with Christopher Reeve. The book was originally named Bid Time Return, but after the success of the film it was renamed to Somewhere in Time. I hope it will be similiar as I've watched the movie, I can't tell you how many times!

Sadie wrote: "Rick, Somewhere in Time is the movie with Christopher Reeve. The book was originally named Bid Time Return, but after the success of the film it was renamed to Somewhere in Time. I hope it will b..."
interesting Sadie! so sad that Mr. reeve died so tragically- but his was a life that inspired so many with his courage and inner strength

I just finished CROSSROADS by Group Member- Steven Nedelton- very much enjoyed it- so well written and gripping!!!! A really good read! well done Steven!

I've just finished Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (I started yesterday and finished in two sittings). I read it because I remembered, in my younger days, seeing it on my mum's bedside table and being captivated by the photo of the Bird Girl statue on the cover. Right now, I'm about 50 pages into Franny and Zooey, and quite enjoying it so far =]

I finished the Twilight series, it was good, but I'm not a huge fan of it like most. I'm starting her other book she wrote called, The Host...we shall see how I like this one.

Jennifer, I liked The Host...but we'll talk when you get done with it..there were a few things that I noticed about the book that kind of bothered me. Let me know when you are done, I'm curious if the same things bothered you.

Ok, glad to know someone else has read it on here!

I'm reading Robert Parker's newest, The Professional. I read all of Parker's books.
Also (like Rick, I read a few at the same time) The Believers by Zoe Heller. It was suggested by another patron at the library. A

And my friend lent my The Birthing House by Christopher Ransome. Saw it on another list, didn't think I'd like it, but she said I would.

I didn't like the Twilight books, but liked the movie alot. I guess seeing all the good looking vampires made it for me!

Martha wrote: "I'm reading Robert Parker's newest, The Professional. I read all of Parker's books.
Also (like Rick, I read a few at the same time) The Believers by Zoe Heller. It was suggested by another patron..."

LOL! See, I thought the first movie was cheesy...liked the book better. I'll have to wait to determine if I like the second movie since there is no way I'm seeing it opening weekend.

Jennifer wrote: "Martha wrote: "I'm reading Robert Parker's newest, The Professional. I read all of Parker's books.
Also (like Rick, I read a few at the same time) The Believers by Zoe Heller. It was suggested by..."

Robert Parker's books are like nice quick breaks from life! funny- well written quick reads- I really dolike his newer character- Jesse Stone- seems more complicated a person then Spencer

I am on page 200 plus of THE PATRIOTS CLUB- by Chris Reich- and while I really like it- I am still clueless as to what the---- is going on- hope the ending ties it all together- so many angles to it- maybe a nice simple Spencer book next!!!

Sadie wrote: "Jennifer, I liked The Host...but we'll talk when you get done with it..there were a few things that I noticed about the book that kind of bothered me. Let me know when you are done, I'm curious if ..."

I'm having a hard time getting into it. It's just not grabbing my attention very well, and I hardly ever have that happen. But, I will finish it. I refuse to stop reading a book just because the first part isn't going so well.

Jennifer, a lot of my friends said it took them about 100-200 pages to finally get into it. It picks up, I promise! :)

Must admit I'm with Rick on this. At least two or three tomes at a time. I have a collection of unread books in my "waiting room" which extends to possibly 400 titles. I get through at least 100 yearly and purchase at least as many as I read.

Usually have a cycle of ten books. Three thrillers and Three Modern novels two non-fiction and two "classics" (now counted as before 1945 by my own off-kilter gradations).

This can mean up to four at a time as the modern novels and thrillers get gobbled up quicker than the rest. This year I shifted to thrillers 4, modern 3, non-fict 2 and Classics 1 in my rota simply because the classics are less well represented in Malaysia and I resort to amazon in extreme circumstances. It is also because the thrillers are quickly digested.

Presently I have Glen Duncan's "I, Lucifer" which is sinfully superb but I am stuck with Blindness by Jorge Samago and floundering a little with MM Kaye's overlong "The Far Pavilions". Just finished "Third Man to Fatty's Leg" by the EX-Cricketer Steve James and am about to start "The Boy Who Loved Books" by John Sutherland.

I've just started reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. So far, it's okay, but I'm finding the constant chopping and changing of narrative viewpoint a little annoying.

I'll be finishing up The Hunchback of NotreDame and will be starting Graceling.

Paul wrote: "Must admit I'm with Rick on this. At least two or three tomes at a time. I have a collection of unread books in my "waiting room" which extends to possibly 400 titles. I get through at least 100..."

Paul- LOVE YOUR SYSTEMATIC APPROACH!!!
I usually tackle a thriller and a classic - usually takes week for thriller and 2-3weeks for classic

Jessabelle wrote: "I've just started reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. So far, it's okay, but I'm finding the constant chopping and changing of narrative viewpoint..."

I heard that was excellant- let me know what you think of it when done!

Sadie wrote: "I'll be finishing up The Hunchback of NotreDame and will be starting Graceling. "

Sadie- have you read other Victor Hugo books?

Rick,
I haven't read any other Victor Hugo books, but I would like to read Les Miserables..when I have the time to dedicate or listen to it.

Sadie wrote: "Rick,
I haven't read any other Victor Hugo books, but I would like to read Les Miserables..when I have the time to dedicate or listen to it. "

quite a long book! well worth the time though! I loved it!

Rick wrote: "Jessabelle wrote: "I've just started reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. So far, it's okay, but I'm finding the constant chopping and changing of ..."

I've written a review on it - the ending was tragic but I really enjoyed the middle of the book. The first quarter is an exercise in getting into Renee and Paloma's mindsets.

Rick wrote: "Jessabelle wrote: "I've just started reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. So far, it's okay, but I'm finding the constant chopping and changing of ..."

I've written a review on it - the ending was tragic but I really enjoyed the middle of the book. The first quarter is an exercise in getting into Renee and Paloma's mindsets.

Jessabelle wrote: "Rick wrote: "Jessabelle wrote: "I've just started reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. So far, it's okay, but I'm finding the constant chopping and..."

interesting review- 3 stars- I'm not fond of books with revolving narrative voices- though I have read some classics in which the device worked well- I was facinated by the very varied reviews- from those who absolutely hated that book to those who loved it to those like you, who found faults- but ultimately felt rewarded!

Must admit I haven't read The Elegance of the Hedgehog but revolving narrative voices can be off-putting. One exception to this would be Graham Swift who works this medium successfully. Last Orders the Booker winner in 1996 is an excellent example of the genre and well worth a read.

On reading styles classics are not always heavy going to be honest but the Victorian epics take time to munch by their prodigious volume! Some non-fiction histories also can take up plenty of time and energy. In the last few years I have read the War Memoirs of David Lloyd-George (coming in at over 2000 pages), Bertrand Russell's History of Western Philosophy (almost 1000 pages) and recently Tim Harris' diverting History of Sport (also 900+ pages). Modern novels and thrillers give some lighter relief and can help me re-energise myself for the slogs imposed by Eliot, Dickens, Hugo, Trollope and some of the heavier no-fict.

On Victor Hugo I have read Les Mis (in trans of course) and enjoyed its breadth). The Count of Monte Christo and The 3 Mus not yet. Favourite french author though would definitely be Emile Zola. Several of his Rougon Macquart novels are amongst the best things ever written. My favourite three would be La Bete Humaine (The Beast in Man), Germinal and La Terre (Earth). He would be closely followed by the worldly wise Honore de Balzac.

I loved The Count of Monte Cristo and The 3 Muskateers. Both kept me on the edge of my seat.

I haven't started Graceling yet, instead I listened to The Spellman Files and now am starting The Hobbit. I have read it before, but my husband never has. I hope he loves it like I do.

Lord of the Rings is always in my best of lists but The Hobbit is LOTR prequel but with more of smile. If it was the only thing Tolkein produced it would make my best of list.

I'm reading On the Beach. It's a post apocalyptic novel written in 1957. it may seem to be odd holiday reading, but it really makes me appreciate what I have. It's a well done, very scary book. How the war started could happen as easily today.

Jim wrote: "I'm reading On the Beach. It's a post apocalyptic novel written in 1957. it may seem to be odd holiday reading, but it really makes me appreciate what I have. It's a well done, very..."

facinating book jim, wasnt there a film based on it?
with With Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire

Paul wrote: "Lord of the Rings is always in my best of lists but The Hobbit is LOTR prequel but with more of smile. If it was the only thing Tolkein produced it would make my best of list."

Love The Hobbit! LOTR is great too.

I just finished The Host...eh, don't know if i liked it or not. Still deciding. It did take forever to get into it, but oh well. Now, onto Just Jane A Novel of Jane Austen's Life which I've started like three times, but something else gets in the way.

Rick, I could have sworn I answered you, but don't see my message. Yes, there were two movies based on "On the Beach" according to Wikipedia, but both changed the ending in ways that seem to dumb it down, to me. Typical of Hollywood & films in general. I'm not sure I'd like to see either one.

I just started a Hard Case Crime book, publishers of pulp crime drama. The one I'm reading now is The Valley of Fear by Arthur Conan Doyle. It's a Sherlock Holmes mystery.

I just finished purchasing the last of the 62 books they have available in part because I adore the covers. They have some great artists doing them. While they're supposed to all be hard case crime, I've found a huge variation in their offerings. Everything from a Stephen King non-mystery that tops my 'worst book I've read this year' list to this one, which is fantastic so far, to stuff by Mickey Spillane & Lawrence Block, which is what I would consider to be the norm for them.

I got turned on to them because they published the only murder mystery written by Roger Zelazny, normally an SF/Fantasy author.

Jim wrote: "Rick, I could have sworn I answered you, but don't see my message. Yes, there were two movies based on "On the Beach" according to Wikipedia, but both changed the ending in ways that seem to dumb ..."

not sure why your responses didnt come up - thanks for the info though!
btw- love pulp fiction!
and The Valley of Fear was typically great Conan Doyle

Jennifer wrote: "I just finished The Host...eh, don't know if i liked it or not. Still deciding. It did take forever to get into it, but oh well. Now, onto Just Jane A Novel of Jane Austen's Life wh..."

good luck with the Just Jane book! hope it doesnt take too long to get into!

I'm currently reading the The Wonderful Demise of Benjamin Arnold Guppy by Gina Collia-Suzuki;I couldn't resist the sales blurb. I'm glad I couldn't, so far it's fabulous.

I've also got Pride and Prejudice and Zombies waiting in the wings.