THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

EXACTLY my point, Ivan! Thank you!

Miss GP and Ivan - I totally agree, and you are right, Miss GP, that many people read them as literal history, which is disappointing. I agree, Ivan, it is really annoying when people are dealing with history, especially history that is easy to verify, and they change everything around. Like they don't think you are going to notice. A few of the historical fiction writers that I read are very careful to say that the book is based "mostly on the facts" as one writer put it, but readily admit that they embellish. I think the big problem with Philippa Gregory, too, is that she says things that lead people to believe that she is representing the facts, when in fact, she is embellishing.

I have just finished reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. It took me a little while to get into this book but once I did I loved it. I would highly recommended it. (I haven't yet done a review, I must post one soon)

I am currently reading 'Captains of the Sands' by Jorge Amado. Recommended by a Brazilian friend on GR.

any views on Sharon Kay Penman's welch trilogy?

I am just starting that one, I have the first two books, but I here it is also a great series. Most of my historical fiction buddies have rated it very highly. And the good thing is that the books are much smaller, Penman has a much easier style to read than Weir, and you can get used to her style before you read Sunne.

Rick wrote: "any views on Sharon Kay Penman's welch trilogy?"

I love that trilogy! The first and third are some of my favorite books. Great historical fiction.

Rick wrote: "any views on Sharon Kay Penman's welch trilogy?"

Rick, it's been a long time since I read the trilogy (probably almost 15 years now), but I remember really enjoying it. In fact, I became a Sharon Kay Penman fan after The Sunne in Splendor and have read all of her historical novels save the latest (which is on my shelf and whose title escapes me now).

I'm currently reading The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo on my ereader and for a proper book I'm about to start The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

I am reading my very first Terry Pratchett book. Decided to start all the way at the beginning with The Color of Magic, his first Discworld book.

@Rick - I "fourth" the comments by Lyn, Meagan & LeAnn - Love all Penman's works, & that trilogy is top-notch historical fiction.

@Gary F: Good for you! I loved the Discworld books. They get better as they progress, but it's fun to start at the beginning & see how the series evolved over time.

Recently finished The Earth Hums in B Flat, which I really enjoyed. It might be my favorite book of the year to date. I've started Michael Gruber's newest, The Good Son, and so far I'm less than impressed.

@Gary F: Good for you! I loved the Discworld books. They get b..."

Thanks GP! I really am interested in seeing the evolution of the Discworld series. I can already tell from the first 30 pages that they will be fall down funny.

Miss GP wrote: "Yeah, I, Claudius is one of my all-time favorite books. Lots of good back-stabbing & insanity there..." My husband and I both loved I Claudius too, and the sequel.

Karen wrote: "I'm currently reading The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo on my ereader and for a proper book I'm about to start [book:The Sweetness at the Bottom of the P..."

Karen, I just finished The Count of Monte Cristo and loved it. I also have both The Man in the Iron Mask and the Three Musketeers to read.

Miss GP wrote: "Lyn M wrote: "Barbara and Miss GP. Penman does a great job of keeping it moving without allowing it to become confusing. She gives a different take on Richard III. (Remember: the victors get to write the history.)
Too true. Many of us know about Richard from Shakespeare, who got his material from Thomas More, who got his from Thomas Morton, Henry VII's Chancellor of the Exchequer. For an excellent, objective, biography of Richard, see the one by Paul Murray Kendall, who has the added advantage of writing both well and clearly. Sorry about the confusing cast of characters, but it all started with Edward III, who had five sons, who went forth and multiplied. To make matters worse, many of the descendants married each other's in-laws. The whole Wars of the Roses was about which set of cousins got to be king. Kendall will help. Once you sort through the characters, some of them turn out to be quite interesting.

Another good book on the early history of the English monarchy is The Three Edwards by Thomas Costain. It's a little easier to keep track of the characters and provides an interesting look at the Plantaganet reign.

I just finished Rick Riordan's new fantasy based on Egyptian mythology, The Red Pyramid. Loved it! Now rereading P.G. Wodehouse's Psmith Journalist, an old favorite (you might say all of his books are favorites of mine!).

Howard & Jill: Thanks for the tips! I love reading British history. Will definitely put Richard the Third and The Three Edwards on my list.

Jill wrote: "Another good book on the early history of the English monarchy is The Three Edwards by Thomas Costain. It's a little easier to keep track of the characters and provides an interesti..."

I agree, Jill. Costain's series--The Conquering Family, The Three Edwards and The Last Plantagenets--is a good start for anyone interested in the subject.

Howard and Jill, I added them also. Thanks for the tips.

For those of you who like historical fiction, I've been reading a mystery series by C.J. Sansom set during the reign of Henry VIII. The first book isDissolution. They are very good...and quite scary!

The main character is a hunchbacked lawyer. His disability has made his life difficult, and his empathy for the downtrodden, and his inability to keep from being enmeshed in the ongoing political intrigues makes the books very good, IMO.

A Search for the King by Gore Vidal- An absolutely terrific adventure novel. The story of Blondel and his search for Richard Coeur-de-Lion. Giants, warewolves, vampires, dragons, unicorns, horny women, pretty men, battles, singing and even Robin Hood - this novel is one of the best, most entertaining and completely enthralling I've ever read. A treat and a pleasure from the first page to the last.

I am currently reading "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy because of the good reviews it is getting and not to mention that it is a Pulitzer Prize winner.

MB wrote: "For those of you who like historical fiction, I've been reading a mystery series by C.J. Sansom set during the reign of Henry VIII. The first book isDissolution. They are very good...."

Mb, I have those on my TBR just from looking at them, but glad to know you like them. Now I can look forward to the all the more.

I am reading J. M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy followed by Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. I am quite familiar with Disney's Peter Pan and decided it was high time I actually read it for myself. Disney is not the most trustworthy when it comes to sticking with the stories it adapts into film. This is no exception, however, I am finding that the live action Peter Pan does follow fairly closely. I am enjoying this book immensely! It is a fun read!

Rick wrote: "Judith wrote: "Judith wrote: "Rick wrote: "Jill wrote: "Judith wrote: "I'm reading three right now, two are books are short stories. I'd loved to know if anyone has read these authors:

"The Por..."

Rick wrote: "Judith wrote: "Judith wrote: "Rick wrote: "Jill wrote: "Judith wrote: "I'm reading three right now, two are books are short stories. I'd loved to know if anyone has read these authors:

"The Por..."

Ivan wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Miss GP wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I'm quite intrigued by the scheming
and back-stabbing and licentious behavior that went on in the court of King Henry.
..."

I'm not saying that..."

Rick, thanks for the info! You are a peach!

Ace wrote: "I am currently reading "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy because of the good reviews it is getting and not to mention that it is a Pulitzer Prize winner."

It's a marvelous read, one of the best love stories I've ever read albeit father and son. Don't even want to think about seeing the movie version of this one! Could never stand up to the novel in my opinion!

Sheila wrote: "Miss GP wrote: "Yeah, I, Claudius is one of my all-time favorite books. Lots of good back-stabbing & insanity there..." My husband and I both loved I Claudius too, and the sequel."

There is a great series done of the book with Derick Jacoby as Claudius. I think it was done by the BBC and is available to rent on Netflix.

Jill wrote: "Another good book on the early history of the English monarchy is The Three Edwards by Thomas Costain. It's a little easier to keep track of the characters and provides an interesti..."

OH, sounds great!

I've never read Terry Prachett. Would anyone care to suggest one for a beginner?

I am currently reading The Brothers K by David Duncan

Judith, most Pratchett fans will probably suggest you start with something from the Disc World series, but I'll give you an unconventional recommendation from off the beaten track: start (as my wife and I did) with his Bromeliad trilogy. That consists of Truckers (1989), Diggers, (1989) and Wings (1990); there's an omnibus edition of all three published for the Science Fiction Book Club. It's humorous SF for the young/young at heart --but for the ones in that group who like to think. :-)

I am currently reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog. There are books that you remember for the story and books that stand out because of the language. This is one of the most beautifully written contemporary novels i have ever read. The language is so elegant i wish i can read in its original French text.

Lai, you have convinced me to put it on my to-read list. Thanks

Lai - I've looked at that book often, but the story didn't seem that interesting to me. Now that you mention about the beautiful writing, though, I am adding it to my TBR. I love books that are beautifully written.

Werner wrote: "Judith, most Pratchett fans will probably suggest you start with something from the Disc World series, but I'll give you an unconventional recommendation from off the beaten track: start (as my wif..."

Thanks Werner. I plan to read a good deal more about his writing and am glad for your unconventional first read suggestion.

I just finished I Sniper by Stephen Hunter- another in his Bob Lee Swagger novels- while a bit slower then the previous one (Which involved MASCAR) I loved the book and the very apprealing lead character

next up is
Breathing Water: A Bangkok Thriller
by Timothy Hallinan

Also I continue to read THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - which is truly a witty and engaging book - and also reading-slowly- first book in Florian and Lorenzo Warhammer trilogy

I just finished a psychological thriller, and am now reading a murder mystery/police procedural titledPlum Island by Nelson DeMille

I'm reading My Soul to Take by Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, originally written in Icelandic and translated into English. It's a thriller (set in Iceland of course). I just started so I can't say for sure but it's supposed to be very good.

Judith wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "Hi, I am reading The Angel's Game by Carlos Luis Safron. It is great and I loved the wit of the main character. I just finished The Surrendered which I found both tedious, depress..."

No I didn't but it is on my to read list. Loved the way he writes and I kind of compare him to Pat Conroy. Have you read anything by him?

I am reading Bel Cantoand I am listening in my car to The Last Olympian

Jo wrote: "I'm reading Diary"

This is one of my favorites by Chuck. I was at Borders today and I held "Tell All" in my hand...just couldn't bring myself to buy it new in hardback (besides I have two other books going .... urgh). Enjoy. I really liked "Survivor" and "Lullaby" too.

Starting the last I have to read of Faulkner's Snopes Family Trilogy, "The Town" this weekend. I am in awe of most everything he wrote...

Jo wrote: "Ivan wrote: "Jo wrote: "I'm reading Diary"

This is one of my favorites by Chuck. I was at Borders today and I held "Tell All" in my hand...just couldn't bring myself to buy it new ..."

Loved "Fight Club"!

I'm just about finished . Why? Because I truly love PNR, but I need a break so my next book will be a true departure.

Jo wrote: "Judith wrote: "Jo wrote: "Ivan wrote: "Jo wrote: "I'm reading Diary"

This is one of my favorites by Chuck. I was at Borders today and I held "Tell All" in my hand...just couldn't b..."

Book is better - a better ending - made more sense. That's all I'll say - leave you a surprise.

I'm reading Fatal North by Bruce Henderson, its a book about the first US expedition to the North Pole which unfortunately wasn't successful.
I tend to enjoy these real life adventures ever so often.

I'm getting ready to start Like Water for Chocolate: A Novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies. I have recently visited Marie Antoinette in France followed by J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan in England, and Love Medicine which centered around the life of an Indian family on a reservation. My husband suggested Like Water for Chocolate as my next read which I believe takes place in Mexico. This gave me an idea. I have several books in my TBR which take place in different countries, so why not do a little world traveling. After Mexico, I'll be visiting Medieval China, Egypt, Italy, Russia, and the Middle East 2000 years ago.

I'm suddenely in the mood for some nonfiction again so I'm reading Wedlock: The True Story of the Disastrous Marriage and Remarkable Divorce of Mary Eleanor Bowes, Countess of Strathmore.

Marialyce wrote: "Judith wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "Hi, I am reading The Angel's Game by Carlos Luis Safron. It is great and I loved the wit of the main character. I just finished The Surrendered which I found both t..."

Yes, I've read most of Pat Conroy's work. I didn't connect the two, but you may have something there! I'll keep it in mind when I get to Conroy's latest novel, "South of Broad".