THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

Melissa wrote: "Lyn M wrote: "I am in sort of a reading slump right now. Not that I am not reading, but I just can't seem to find the right book. I have started 4 books in the last three days, and I think I have..."

Thanks, Melissa - I read my first one last summer, and he is becoming one of my faves also. I have added both Midwives and Skeletons at the Feast on my TBR. In fact, I am reading Skeletons at the Feast in June with a friend.

Pam -I will have to add Before You Know Kindness on my TBR, too.

Rick wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "The new Sherlock Holmes film was a lot of fun! Sure, it had lots of special effects, but it had a good, creepy mysterious bad-guy that had to be thwarted by Holmes and Watson. T..."

Mike- as a semi-expert on old character actors- Nigel Buce pretty much played the same role in all hos over 100 films- the blustery eccentric Britishman- so I really feel that the writers wrote thr role to fit him- rather then the character- did you see James play Watson in Murder by Decree? many said that was the real Watson

Nanette wrote: "Dave wrote: "Nan, write the book, then check your facts. Too much research ahead of time makes the book more like what others have done, not what you want to write. There's really no understanding ..."

Nanette- have you ever read the Rabbi Mysteries by Harry Kemmelman?
They are a blast!

Rick, yes but only a couple of times and not for several years. I liked it, I like Plummer as an actor also. I'm also a sucker for "conspiracy plots"... good film and good portrayals.

But as I said, it's been years.

Rick wrote: "Nanette have you ever read the Rabbi Mysteries by Harry Kemmelman? They are a blast!"

I read them years ago and liked them, too! They are not gritty or violent at all. They are more human nature kind of mysteries.

Mike wrote: "Rick, yes but only a couple of times and not for several years. I liked it, I like Plummer as an actor also. I'm also a sucker for "conspiracy plots"... good film and good portrayals.

But as I sai..."

Mike- what was your SINCERE opinion of James Mason's Watson in Muder by Decree- given that this Groupp is named in his memory- I don't want that to be a factor- you are a keen fellow- so I'd like to know what your thoughts of James Mason-

Jeannette wrote: "Rick wrote: "Nanette have you ever read the Rabbi Mysteries by Harry Kemmelman? They are a blast!"

I read them years ago and liked them, too! They are not gritty or violent at all. They are more..."

I agree- a sort of Andrew Greely meets Father Brown over a tongue sanwitch!

That's an interesting lunch! I haven't gotten around to reading them again, but I liked them enough to buy all of them!

Jeannette wrote: "That's an interesting lunch! I haven't gotten around to reading them again, but I liked them enough to buy all of them!"

I WAS WRACKING MY BRAINS,JEANETTE FOR A DESCRIPTION!!!
btw- did you see James Mason in A Star is Born 1954- had dayoff- watched DVD- wow- he was a great actor

Rick wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "That's an interesting lunch! I haven't gotten around to reading them again, but I liked them enough to buy all of them!"

I WAS WRACKING MY BRAINS,JEANETTE FOR A DESCRIPTION!!!..."

I love your description! I don't think I would like the tongue sandwich. :(

Yes, I did see A Star is Born -- 3 hankies at the end! Now, here is a movie that they did not need a remake for!! I think I'll add this into my Netflix queue. My daughter hasn't watched enough of the old movies that I watched as a teen!

The Mystery of Edwin Drood - by Dickens. Well Charles Dickens is a great author, he's on my favourites list, and I guess what's interesting about this one is that he died before he could finish it. Well I'm taking my time, savouring it!

Jeannette wrote: "The new Sherlock Holmes film was a lot of fun! Sure, it had lots of special effects, but it had a good, creepy mysterious bad-guy that had to be thwarted by Holmes and Watson. Taken for what it w..."

My husband and I recently watched the new Holmes movie and we both enjoyed it. I haven't yet read any of the Holmes stories (on my TBR), but my husband has and he said that the new movie did a wonderful job portraying the relationship between Watson and Holmes. I also want to note that Holmes did indeed use his brain to solve the mystery. It was fascinating to watch how his mind worked. I liked the movie and am looking forward to reading the stories!

http://gentlemanbeggar.wordpress.com/...

Rick, honestly...and I hate this, I don't remember clearly much more than the plot. I watched the movie literally something like 20 years ago (mid to late 80s). It was one of those I rented for our shiny new VCR from the small neighborhood video store (it was before the big stores got going). So, I remember I like the movie, but I don't recall a strong reaction either way. On the plus side that probably means I like the portrayal. My general recollection is I like the film very much. Sorry I can't be more precise.

I may try to run it down and see it again if I can find it now. I don't use Netflix but my daughter does...maybe she can get it through them so I can view it again.

Mike wrote: "Rick, honestly...and I hate this, I don't remember clearly much more than the plot. I watched the movie literally something like 20 years ago (mid to late 80s). It was one of those I rented for our..."

understood Mike!
but you must admitt that a middle aged James Mason would make a fine Watson!

Pam wrote: "One of my favorites from Bohjalian is Before You Know Kindness"

OH Gosh, I don't know how I forgot about

The Double Bind

Just finished The Last Lincolns: The Rise & Fall of a Great American Family. It was an interesting read although about 2/3 of the book focused on Mary Todd Lincoln and her legal battles with her surviving son, Robert Todd Lincoln. Great tragedy haunted the family, somewhat similar to the Kennedys. If you are a lover of Lincoln, this is worth your time.

Jill or anyone have you read An Unlikely Friendship: A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley ?

I just finished Becoming Jane Eyre by Sheila Kohler and it was fantastic! I am an incerdibly huge fan of the Brontes and to read such a light hearted, yet deep rendering of their lives and how Jane Eyre came to be was a real treat. Her style was simple, yet reminiscient of the classic itself. Only qualm is that I wish it were longer! A mere 232 pages was not nearly enough to satisfy my appetite.
So I am now on to The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson by Jerome Charyn. I am excited to get into it and I hope it can add to the great run of books I have going now!

Nanette wrote: "Rick,

No, I haven't. Are they just funny or are they gritty too?

Are those books listed here, on GR??

nanette"

Nan, if you want funny murder mysteries, find any of the Southern Sisters series by Ann George. There are twelve in the series. One title I always remember is "Murder boogies with Elvis"

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

In Vogue: The Illustrated History of the World's Most Famous Fashion Magazine



Miss Marjoribanks


The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Smithsonian Institution: A Novel by Gore Vidal. I picked it up on a whim, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. This is Vidal in a playful mood. It's a time-travel novel set inside the great museum and features great figures from American history as characters.

Next I'm reading Vidal's 1950 A Search for the King which is all about the minstrel Blondel who went looking for his master Richard the Lion Heart - held captive in Austria. Along the way he encounters dragons, giants, a warewolf, a vampire and wanton women - sounds delightful.

Pam wrote: "Jill or anyone have you read An Unlikely Friendship: A Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley ?"

Pam........I have not read that book but will put it on my TBR list. Ms. Keckley gets quite a bit of coverage in the book I just finished and it was indeed an unlikely friendship. Thanks for the tip.

I'm reading The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde for a "buddy read" and I'm listening to the audio of Hardball by Sara Paretsky because I like her books (usually).

Barbara wrote: "I'm reading The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde for a "buddy read" and I'm listening to the audio of Hardball by Sara Paretsky because I like her books (usually)."

Enjoyed The Eyre Affair very much.

I'm reediting my second book, primarily set in Australia, with a bit of it set in London. Anyone want to give me a few tidbits about London that won't be found in travel blogs and the like?

I'm currently reading Mutants: On Genetic Variety and the Human Body because it was practically shoved into my hands whilst attending a dinner party and the hostess overheard me discussing Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. So far so good...

I'm just starting The Eyre Affair after hearing it recommended by so many people. I like it so far.

I'm reading The Lace Makers of Glenmara because I've heard such good things about the book and I'm reading Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor: Being the First Jane Austen Mystery with the Jane Austen group here on Goodreads. So far I'm enjoying both books!

Melissa - I have both of those on my TBR. I will be anxious to know what you think.

I just finished reading two great books, Secrets of Eden: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian which is a great book with lots of red herrings, twists and turns to the story, and, in true Bohjalian style, an ending that leaves you saying, "WOW".

The second book I finished was The Cross Gardener by Jason F. Wright. If you like authors like Paul Evans or Nicholas Sparks, this is the book for you. A really poignant story, I cried at the end. And a really quick read. I read it in one day.

Now I am reading:
The Last Boleyn: A Novel by Karen Harper for my Tudor group,

Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet by Stephanie Cowell because my son Joe, who paints has done a few Monet copies, and has taught me to love the work of both Claude Monet and his friends Renoir and Camille-Pissarro.

Twisted by Andrea Kane with a buddy for one of my groups.

I finished the Jane Austen mystery and just loved it! I definitely plan to read the rest in the series. I'm still working on The Lace Makers of Glenmara and so far I'm really liking it. I love the writing!

That is good to know, I am looking forward to both of them.

Right now, I'm currently reading and writing. But on my 'currently reading' list, it's J.R. Ward's Lover Mine, part of her Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and it is awesome. I'm pacing myself because I need to work, but definately on my keeper shelf.

Lyn M wrote: "Melissa - I have both of those on my TBR. I will be anxious to know what you think.

I just finished reading two great books, Secrets of Eden: A Novel by [author:Chris Bohjalian..."

Pissarro is my favorite artist,alongwith Monet, Bazille and Alfred Sisley

Right now I am reading "The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House" by Melissa Anderson and "My Own Personal Soap Opera" by Libby Malin.

Two completely different books but am enjoying both of them!

Rick, the book is interesting. I am learning a lot about Monet. Manet, Pissarro, Bazille, Renoir, and many others are also featured in the book.

I am reading The Count of Monte Cristo, it is a monster, and you do need some patience, my word Dumas can go on a tangent, but the pay offs in the novel are getting better and better.

Lindz wrote: "I am reading The Count of Monte Cristo, it is a monster, and you do need some patience, my word Dumas can go on a tangent, but the pay offs in the novel are getting better and better."

LOVE Dumas!! I think I have 3 copies of that book! not including my Kindle version

Lyn M wrote: "Rick, the book is interesting. I am learning a lot about Monet. Manet, Pissarro, Bazille, Renoir, and many others are also featured in the book."

As I understood it, Bazille came from a wealthy family and pretty much supported the other artists- who were quite poor- Many years ago I purchased a book on Bazille- loved his works- he sadly was killed young in war- I believe that he was homosexual- so sad to think of the many many more wonderful paintings he would have produced. Amazing when you think that the Impressionists were destitute most of the time (Monet and Renoir lived to enjoy their riches) but Sisley and Pissarro died poor- and yet a single painting of theirs today would make a multi-millionaire of its owner!

Rick - You are correct about Bazille, at least the way he is portrayed in this book. He was wealthy, his parents expected him to become a doctor, but he eventually talked them into letting him be a painter. After he essentially flunked out of medical school. He and Monet shared an apartment, but most of the others flopped there too. So far, this book is really interesting. It is supposed to be about Monet and his wife, but so far it is mostly about the group that he ran around with. I'll let you know when I am done whether it is worth checking out.

Lindz wrote: "I am reading The Count of Monte Cristo, it is a monster, and you do need some patience, my word Dumas can go on a tangent, but the pay offs in the novel are getting better and better."

I just finished that book about a week or so ago! It is fantastic. What version are you reading? Someone once told me that the different versions were differently translated and can make a lot of differences. (Let's see how many more times I can use that word, LOL!). I agree that it got better and better as the story went on, and I ended up giving it 5 stars. I am really excited to read more DUMAS now, and have 4 more on my TBR, two of which I have already purchased.

I am reading the oxford edition with a pout on the cover that would make zoolander jealous. I know different translations can make a huge difference so the book snob in me went for oxford. I'm really enjoying it. I love how Dumas makes you sink in and enjoy the story, by taking everything real slowly.

I'm reading Rules Of Prey by John Sandford. This is the first in the Lucas Davenport detective series.

Hey Rick, I find that authors such as Dumas tended toward tangents in their writing. For me, both The Count of Monte Cristo and the Three Musketeers does that. The other author that did that, in my humble opinion, was Oscar Wilde in The Picture of Dorian Gray.

I'm reading Ground Zero: A Repairman Jack Novel by F. Paul Wilson because I just finished The Things That Keep Us Here (Carla Buckley) and it was so moving that I needed to read something light afterwards. I've read all the Repairman Jack books so far, so I feel obligated to complete the series, but Wislon has let so much time lag between books that I'm mostly just feeling confused. Oh well, it's a quick read and Wilson is a clever writer.

That's so weird, Mary. I met F. Paul Wilson at the Romantic Times Booklover's convention just this past week. Really nice gentleman and very easy going. And, he is very clever, too.

Oh, Frances, how fun! I'd love to go to a book convention and meet some writers!

I'm an author, so I went to meet readers and my favorite authors. Was a lot of fun. If you get the chance, you should go to one.

Lindz wrote: "I am reading the oxford edition with a pout on the cover that would make zoolander jealous. I know different translations can make a huge difference so the book snob in me went for oxford. I'm re..."

I read the Penguin Classics Unabridged edition, which was recommended by a friend on GR who calls herself a book snob. It was fantastic. I do love the way he doesn't rush the story. Not sure how far you are, but the subtleties and finesse that goes into his revenge was fascinating to me.

As an aside, my husband and I watched the 2002 version of the movie after I finished reading it. What a difference! I realize that to make a 2 hour 48 minute movie they had to leave out a lot, but the changed so many things in the story line that were unnecessary to me. Things like Fernand being Edmonds best friend from childhood, the son of a Count, and an employee of Morrel. Plus they gave the whole thing a hokey fairy tale ending. It was so disappointing!

Frances wrote: "Hey Rick, I find that authors such as Dumas tended toward tangents in their writing. For me, both The Count of Monte Cristo and the Three Musketeers does that. The other author that did that, in my..."

I agree about Dumas and tangents, in a way, Frances, but some of his tangents are as interesting to me as the basic story line.

Frances wrote: "Hey Rick, I find that authors such as Dumas tended toward tangents in their writing. For me, both The Count of Monte Cristo and the Three Musketeers does that. The other author that did that, in my..."

very true- Dumas was very socially conscience- and tended to devote longpassages to issues and explainations of cultures ect- Hugo was similar in my opinion
but great storytelling and very well drawn characters