THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

I was also very disappointed in White Teeth. After all of the hype and excellent reviews, I felt very let down with a mediocre book.

I find that the earlier I read a book, before being subjected to hype, the more I like it. White Teeth was one of those, also Let The Great World Spin. Since I read both before publication, I had no expectations to be dashed, and therefore may have provided some of the hype that later decreased others' pleasure in the book. I no longer rhapsodize about books I review, but try and make my reviews balanced, fair, and try and not make any plot points. It irritates me when people review books by outlining a plot -- the dust jacket takes care of that.

Kasa wrote: "It irritates me when people review books by outlining a plot -- the dust jacket takes care of that.
..."

Amen!

I started off well with White Teeth (Zadie Smith) but couldn't be bothered to finish it - that says alot for me because I rarely leave a book. I also got On Beauty - awful book! Won't get any more of hers.
An author I do like is Monica Ali - Brick Lane is excellent.

The book I Am Charlotte Simmons changed my life because 40 pages in I realized I couldn't and therefore wouldn't finish it. Revelation. Life is too short and I don't have enough minutes left in my life to waste on books I have to force myself to read. It's liberating. Also, it doesn't honor an author to finish a book you don't like if you're resenting every minute of wasted life on it.

Kasa wrote: "The book I Am Charlotte Simmons changed my life because 40 pages in I realized I couldn't and therefore wouldn't finish it. Revelation. Life is too short and I don't have enough minutes left in ..."

is the Thomas Wolfe book?

Tom, not Thomas, yes.

I find myself in agreement with you- its rare I give up on a book- but after 50 or so pages I cant connect- time is too short

Rick wrote: "I find myself in agreement with you- its rare I give up on a book- but after 50 or so pages I cant connect- time is too short"

I never force myself to finish a book I don't like. If I "sort of" like it, I'll skip to the end to find out what happens. Otherwise, on to the next book!

Amen

Kasa, I'm with you when it comes to not making myself suffer through a book I'm not enjoying! And you have a good point about reviews not needing to summarize a book's plot, because the dust jacket will explain the premise. A point to consider, though, is that if you're buying a book used, or finding it on a library shelf, it may not have a dust jacket (a lot of libraries misguidedly take them off when books are processed, though the one I work in doesn't). Then too, a lot of times reviews reach people who haven't seen the book yet, so they're forming an impression just from the review.

Personally, when I do a review, I try to at least check out the Goodreads description, and not repeat what's there unnecessarily. But I try to make sure the reader will understand the book's premise, though I usually avoid spoilers and don't do whole plot summaries. (I figure that if you want to know the entire plot, you should read the book! :-))

That is a good point. Ihadnt taken missing jackets into consideration. I do like amazon and goodread reviews sincev they're word of mouth from readers with similar taste, but admit I'm thin skinned when my reviews get 0 out of 3 people liked my review,
'

That is a good point. Ihadnt taken missing jackets into consideration. I do like amazon and goodread reviews sincev they're word of mouth from readers with similar taste, but admit I'm thin skinned when my reviews get 0 out of 3 people liked my review,
'

I'm working on a few . . .

The Razor's Edge - finished the book itself, but just writing chapter summaries now

The Eyre Affair - Jasper - absolutely hilarious!

Don Quixote - why does anybody read this? Why can't I stop listening to the story? It's so ridiculous! But I like it.

The Widow . . . it's on one of the groups here for discussion - a goodie.

Goodnight - by a guy named 'Tertz', a Czech thing - he's amusing, but I can only take a few pages at a time.

Carly wrote: "I'm working on a few . . .

The Razor's Edge - finished the book itself, but just writing chapter summaries now

The Eyre Affair - Jasper - absolutely hilarious!

Don Quixote - why does anybo..."

I have been meaning to read Don Quixote for years- my only fear is that it will take me years to read it once I start!

I agree Rick. The book intrigues me, but I'm not sure I am up to the task.

My daughter read a collection of Don Quixote's adventures book, which gave her the flavor of the work. She really enjoyed it. I'll post the name if I can find it.

Started Lost in a Good Book earlier in the week and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society today. I am really enjoying both. Guernsey is especially good and really touching. I am loving hearing everyone's stories. I chose Jasper Fjorde because I needed something funny and I love a good mystery. Guernsey is part of a historical fiction challenge and I have heard so many good things about, that I just had to see for myself.

Loved "Guernesy..."

Jeannette wrote: "Clair wrote: "i'm reading Helen Keller's The Story of my Life now."

Is this her autobiography?"


yes.

Did I mention that I am now reading Irreplaceable by Stephen Lovely. I am reading this book for a buddy read in another group. It is a story about the relationships between people who are involved in donating and receiving donated organs. I have to say, I found the author's cadence a little hard to get used to at first, but as I get into the story I am enjoying it more.

I keep several books going at once a lot of the time, depends on where I am...maybe at times I'll also be listening to an audio book at some times and reading others. Just got the new Jim Butcher Harry Dresden book. Starting it.

Finished Heart of Darkness, starting In the Country of Men - because it looks interesting & fits in my "Around the World in 80 Books" challenge.

Mike - I thought it was fantastic. I hope you like it.

I just started "Sherlock Holmes, The Hidden Years" edited by Michael Kurland. It is comprised of short stories by various authors covering those years from Reichenbach Falls to "The Adventure of the Empty House" when Holmes reappeared. Not too bad so far.

I'm reading The Bad Seed by William March - thus far it's very well written. I understand the ending is quite a bit different from the film; we'll see soon enough.

I just ordered May We Borrow Your Husband & Other Comedies of the Sexual Life by Graham Greene and Good-Bye to All That: An Autobiography by Robert Graves. These two couldn't be more different, but each sound terrific; and, if the Graves book about WWI is too grave, I'll have Greene's stories to restore my good humour.

Ivan wrote: "Loved "Guernesy...""

Same here! I hope Shaffer comes out with another book.

Ivan wrote: "I'm reading The Bad Seed by William March - thus far it's very well written. I understand the ending is quite a bit different from the film; we'll see soon enough.

..."
Ivan.....I have read the Graves book and I think you will like it. Hope so.

Jill wrote: "Ivan wrote: "I'm reading The Bad Seed by William March - thus far it's very well written. I understand the ending is quite a bit different from the film; we'll see so..."

Thanks Jill.

Now reading A WIZARD OF MARS by Diane Duane. It's the long-awaited (five years!) ninth book in her Young Wizards series, a terrific combination of fantasy and science fiction. Just finished Diana Wynne Jones' latest, ENCHANTED GLASS. She's one of the most imaginative, funniest British fantasy writers, a big favorite of mine.

Sheila wrote: "Now reading A WIZARD OF MARS by Diane Duane. It's the long-awaited (five years!) ninth book in her Young Wizards series, a terrific combination of fantasy and science fiction. Just finished Diana W..."

Thanks, Shiela!! My library was supposed to put Enchanted Glass on hold for me when it came in, but they forgot. Thanks to you I am first in the queue (the book is "in processing" at the library). I love Howl's Moving Castle!

Miss GP wrote: "Finished Heart of Darkness, starting In the Country of Men - because it looks interesting & fits in my "Around the World in 80 Books" challenge."

I have to say I LOVE your Around the World in 80 Books challenge!!!! OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

JUST received my 5 Terry Pratchett books- never read him alot- so I chose the Granny Weatherall books

also- has anyone read a very long trilogy from Neal Stephenson? The Baroque Trilagy? curious forinfo and readtions

Jill wrote: "I just started "Sherlock Holmes, The Hidden Years" edited by Michael Kurland. It is comprised of short stories by various authors covering those years from Reichenbach Falls to "The Adventure of t..."

are they well know authors of the period? or current authors? sounds like a great premise!

It's been a blast. I'm up to 46 books/countries (the challenge runs through September 15). I've learned a lot, I've come to appreciate what I have more, I've read a lot of books I probably wouldn't have tackled otherwise, especially non-fiction.

The problem is that when combined with the books I'm asked to review, it leaves very little that I can read "just because." I haven't read a scifi book in a very long time. I just bought Tony Hay's second mystery, The Divine Sacrifice, because I liked the first one so much, but no idea when I'll have time to read it.

Miss GP wrote: "It's been a blast. I'm up to 46 books/countries (the challenge runs through September 15). I've learned a lot, I've come to appreciate what I have more, I've read a lot of books I probably wouldn..."

how does a book qualify for being reprentative of a Country? the author? the storyline? or a combo of both?

Rick wrote: "also- has anyone read a very long trilogy from Neal Stephenson? The Baroque Trilagy? curious forinfo and readtions"

My nephew read and loved The Baroque Trilogy and gave me the first book as a Christmas gift. I have twice attempted to read it, but it has twice failed my "50 page" test. I may try it again when I have a good block of time to devote to keeping track of the many characters, locations, and time periods.

Rick wrote: "Jill wrote: "I just started "Sherlock Holmes, The Hidden Years" edited by Michael Kurland. It is comprised of short stories by various authors covering those years from Reichenbach Falls to "The A..."

Rick.....the authors in the book are modern-day writers, most of whom I have heard of. Frankly, I thought I might not like it since, like most fans of Holmes, it is the Conan Doyle stories that satisfy. But I must say that these are rather enjoyable.

I finished Irreplaceable, and am starting Caligula: The Corruption of Power. It is a group read for the group that I am mod for, and I think everyone has read it but me, LOL.

I have to say- Robin Cook stillhas it! his new book is excellant!

I thought this book looked interesting:

I loved the movies as a kid and really am excited to read the book:

Reading for a group read:

Good luck with that one Jo. It really creeped me out.

Rick wrote: "also- has anyone read a very long trilogy from Neal Stephenson? The Baroque Trilagy? curious forinfo and readtions"

My husband has read it. I began the first book, Quicksilver, some years ago and made it about 100 pages in, but I couldn't go on. He assures me that it picks up soon after that so I'm considering trying it again since it fits into my non-fiction history reading. What I remember is that it's quite dense and wandering, but it has a lot of details about the birth of modern science. I don't think I'll ever forget the operation on a living dog that he describes.

LeAnn wrote: "Rick wrote: "also- has anyone read a very long trilogy from Neal Stephenson? The Baroque Trilagy? curious forinfo and readtions"

My husband has read it. I began the first book, Quicksilver, some y..."

thanks! I hope it picks up! ordered 2nd 3rd parts- about 3000pgs in all!

Jo wrote: "I'm reading Lord of the Flies"

I really never forgot "piggy" from that book and movie afterwards!

I am currently reading, The Kite Runner. I am generally more of a thriller, horror, suspense, action kind of guy. But I also love to read stories about people and how life is in their culture. Culture, meaning, a microcosm of a big city, a different country, or a small town. That's why I really enjoyed, To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Collins.

Rick wrote: "LeAnn wrote: "Rick wrote: "also- has anyone read a very long trilogy from Neal Stephenson? The Baroque Trilagy? curious forinfo and readtions"

My husband has read it. I began the first book, Qui..."

I read the whole Baroque Cycle a couple of years ago and absolutely LOVED it. I hope you stick with it. I suspect you'll find it worth the effort.

Roy wrote: "I am currently reading, The Kite Runner. I am generally more of a thriller, horror, suspense, action kind of guy. But I also love to read stories about people and how life is in their culture. Cult..."

Roy- the movie version of Mockingbird is my all time favorite film!

Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is probably a double with me being my favoriet movie and favorite novel (or at least very close). It's one of the few movies that even though there were some things they had to leave out for time etc. they didn't lose the feel of the novel, it's setting, and characters.