THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

Just finished "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" and can't figure out why didnd't love it. Maybe the author so often took me out of the story in order to give me a lot backgraound explanation, be it history, or the workings of corporations, newspapers, etc. Then back to the story where I didn't know what character I was reading about, being as there were twenty-two members of this family. Perhaps I'm just not a lover of thrillers. Give ma a good memoir, any day!

I have read and am encouraging people to read Jessica Z. and Two Years, No Rain by Shawn Klomparens. Check out my group on goodreads & on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid...

I'm reading Girl Missing by Tess Gerritsen.

Judith wrote: "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 wh..."

Enjoy it. I just think that the witticism of their characters seemed similar to me.

I am currently reading The Count of Monte-Cristo on my ereader and Papillon at home but as the new David Gibbins arrived this morning I will be abandoning Papillon to spend a few hours with Jack Howard.

Melissa wrote: "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 foll..."

Great idea! I love reading about other cultures and countries and their histories too. It's fun to let one book lead you to another as well.

Kari wrote: "I picked up the other day and I am loving it. I had read Thurber a while ago and I had forgotten how witty he is. If you need a cynical laugh pick it up."

you can never go wrong with Thurber!!! love his writings and drawings that he includes in his story- The Catbird Seat and Walter Mitty aremy favorites
I also enjoy Saki- his stories are short as well- and very witty

Am reading Horn by Joe Hill and am loving every bit of it.

Death in the Fifth Position again. This is the first of Gore Vidal's Edgar Box penned mysteries. They were contemporary when written in the fifties. I loved them the first time I read them years ago, and am reading the first (and I think best) again as I seem to be on a little Vidal binge having just finished The Smithsonian Institution: A Novel and A Search for the King and am awiting the arrival of Messiah. He is a master - one of the great American writers and these books show off his incredible range.

5 star review for Nanette- a group Member!!

5 OUT OF 5 STARS:

By Sona G. Schmidt (Salt Lake City, Utah) - See all my reviews


This review is from: to live on the wind (Paperback)

"A poet writes her memoirs--it doesn't happen enough. Nanette Rayman-Rivera's book, "to live on the wind," weaves its spell on the reader through poetic language, riveting sad events, and a unique Nietzschean reflection seldom seen in memoir. There are moments it can sometimes be mistaken for poetry on its way to a homeless shelter where Ms. Rayman-Rivera unfortunately resided after a previously unusual and painful life. She describes her feelings in the homeless shelter:

"I feel like a freak, like I've entered a circus and this is the last minute I won't be the bearded lady or the lady sawed in half. I'm out of my flesh, floating, shuddering on the waves of odor like sawdust. I act like I'm alright, not endlessly eyeing a way out, but really I'm hunting endlessly in my mind for it. I suppose anyone else would search for lost family, but I'm decades past that; I'm here with the elephants, the trumpeting, the noise, at the murky ass of the earth."

How often could one ever hear such a description of homelessness? So often have we heard the reporter's voice, or the homeless person's voice through the reporter that such a description as listed above is rare indeed. Where the trope of the suffering artist is concerned, Ms. Rayman-Rivera is the real deal. An unusually traumatic childhood and family life leads her sadly into a life as an exotic dancer, a sort of homeless temp worker, girlfriend of drug dealers, and an actress. Where there is so much self-absorbed, self-reflection of the suffering artist out there, it is refreshing to see someone who has such valid complaints. Normally, this sort of suffering artist is to be found outside of the United States. Ms. Rayman-Rivera's book forces us to look at the many-faceted face of homelessness with her surprising and beautiful face in it. And fate? There is so much create-your-on-destiny literature out there that there are very few true reflections on fated suffering. Ms. Rayman-Rivera's memoirs take this on bravely, and repeatedly. The Greeks were not afraid, and neither is Ms. Rayman-Rivera. Filled with harsh images of rape, physical and emotional abuse, the raw face of the mentally-ill homeless, and the ugly face of envy, it forces us NOT to smell the roses. Strangely, there are counterpoising beautiful images which if one is not careful, can slide off of the page, or are so dense, they earn a second reading. In my opinion, very little memoir language deserves such concentration or a second reading.

In short, the quality of Ms. Rayman-Rivera's Pushcart Prize nominations are evident throughout her memoirs. While not an easy read, it is a worthwhile read."

so far i am reading eragon and it is very interesting but i will explain more after i finish it.

Yay for Nanette.

metal vengenz wrote: "so far i am reading eragon and it is very interesting but i will explain more after i finish it."

I listened to the audios of this entire series, Eragon, Eldest & Brisingr with my teenage son. The books are pretty good but the there are a lot of characters and the story is complex so you have to pay close attention. I saw the movie "Eragon" as well but that stinks. I hope someone remakes it someday soon.

Barbara - I agree, the movie was disappointing. It really irks me when they make unnecessary changes from the book to the movie.

I am readingVillette by Charlotte Bronte.

I'm not sure why I haven't read this before Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books. The introduction to the book suggests that it is semi auto-biographical. I have only just begun and I am really looking forward to getting into it.

Reading It's Easier to Reach Heaven Than the End of the Street: A Jerusalem Memoir for review, and just started The Darling: A Novel, by Russell Banks as a qualifier for the Around the World challenge (it takes place in Liberia).

I am reading Horse Soldiers. It is about Special service soldiers who rode to victory in Afghanistan.

Marialyce wrote: "I am reading Horse Soldiers. It is about Special service soldiers who rode to victory in Afghanistan."

Marialyce, that sounds like a great book. Please keep us updated on how it is. Thanks.

I am now reading The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett and enjoying it much more than The Color of Magic which was still good. I like this one has a more focused plot.

I'm reading Deeper than the Dead by Tami Hoag for a book club discussion in another GR group and listening to the audio of The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson...also for a book club discussion on GR. I already read the latter book but wanted to hear the pronunciation of the names and places on the audio version,

Just finished The Postmistress

-3 Stars- Reviewed here: www.braincandybookreviews.com

Read it for review

I'm reading THE LAST CHILD by John Hart...because I loved his last two novels. I started it a while back but had to put it down to complete a freelance project and have wanted to get back to it ever since. But I waited until I knew I could read straight through.

The Sex Club
Secrets to Die for

Gary F wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "I am reading Horse Soldiers. It is about Special service soldiers who rode to victory in Afghanistan."

Marialyce, that sounds like a great book. Please keep us updated on how it ..."

Hi Gary, I just finished the book and I must say I totally was blown away by it. These men from Special Ops and the CIA did a remarkable job of helping the Afghan warloads rid their areas of the Taliban. Of course we never heard of their efforts because it was a clandestine effort. Such brave men and yet they didn't come home to the acclaim of their nation. A truly worthwhile read for those of us who thought we didn't do enough after 9/11.

My fourth Gore Vidal in a row is Messiah - these last three, written in the 1950s, are terrific and deserve to be rediscovered by everyone.

I'm starting Victor Hugo's "Les Mis" this week and am reading Paul Auster's "The City of Glass" this weekend.
Neither are British authors, I realize; but both are worthy of mention here.

Ivan wrote: "My fourth Gore Vidal in a row is Messiah - these last three, written in the 1950s, are terrific and deserve to be rediscovered by everyone."

I love Gore Vidal. I have put a bunch on my TBR to re-read and list here, including the ones you mentioned. Next month, though, I am reading Lincoln: A Novel.

L.J. wrote: "I'm reading THE LAST CHILD by John Hart...because I loved his last two novels. I started it a while back but had to put it down to complete a freelance project and have wanted to get back to it eve..."

I'm going to read that very soon. Have heard great things about it!

Me too, I want to read it soon.

I'm reading CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins. I loved the first book, THE HUNGER GAMES, and so far this one is at least as good!

I am reading The Map of True Places. I am enjoying it so far and about half way through.

Marialyce wrote: "I am reading The Map of True Places. I am enjoying it so far and about half way through."

Maryalice, Did you read The Lace Reader? If so, how does it compare?

I'm reading Brooklyn by Colm Toibin, The Driver's Seat by Murial Sparks, and Woman in White. I love Woman in White, I'm reading it very slowly in bits and pieces - I don't want it to end.

Melissa wrote: "I'm reading Brooklyn by Colm Toibin, The Driver's Seat by Murial Sparks, and Woman in White. I love Woman in White, I'm reading it very slowly in bits and pieces - I don't want it to end."

Melissa......
After you complete The Woman in White, you might want to read The Moonstone, also by Wilkie Collins. Great books!!!

I'm 2/3 of the way through Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang. Covering 50 eventful years of Chinese history, it's a memoir that details not only the author's life but also that of her grandmother and mother.

It is one of the best chronicles of those years, I've found. I highly recommend it.

Lyn M wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "I am reading The Map of True Places. I am enjoying it so far and about half way through."

Maryalice, Did you read The Lace Reader? If so, how does it compare?"

I didn't read it although I do have it on my list of TBR. Did you read it Lyn?

I am starting Fever Dream today after finishing The Map of True Places which was great.

I'm now reading THE LAST CHILD by John Hart. I've heard wonderful things about it from a great many people, and so far it's excellent.

has anyone read Cleopatra:a Memoir- a 900 plus fictional novelby an author- Margaret George - I am debating whether to get it- she also wrote memoirsof Henry VIII and Mary Queen of Scotts- really looks like a great book- but over 900 pages!!!

Marialyce wrote: "I am starting Fever Dream today after finishing The Map of True Places which was great."

I've had this book for months but i have not gotten around to reading it. How'd you find the book?

Hi! I am in the middle of My Immortal Knight Series by Delilah Delvin. Its Vampire Erotica and IMHO its not the greatest. I think it has some steamy scenes but not so great story line. I am reading it as a filler while I wait for a friend to finish a book, then I am on to Addicted by Charollete Featherstone. It has very good reviews so hopefully I will enjoy it. I am mostly in to PNR Erotica. Some many books coming this month so I better get a rush on it. The next in the LOTU by Gena Showalter and Dane by Elizabeth Amber both come out tomorrow!!!!

Lai wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "I am starting Fever Dream today after finishing The Map of True Places which was great."

I've had this book for months but i have not gotten around to reading it. How'd you fin..."

I am only up to the third chapter, but so far it is quite good. I mean a rogue red maned lion will get your attention.

Started into Hell House by Matheson.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth. It's a YA book that I want to be able to talk to our young folks about and perhaps recommend at my job, a bookseller.

Just finished The Stormchasers

-3 Stars- reviewed at: www.braincandybookreviews.com

Read for review

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Very interesting and well-written, has a lot of science in it but not too science-y--you don't need a degree in cellular biology to understand it.

I'm reading an advanced review copy of OPEN SEASON by Maryann Miller. Why? Because she asked me too and the premise sounded terrific.
L.J.

The Sex Club
Secrets to Die for

at the moment, im reading a book called Heartbeat n i have no idea y im reading it

John wrote: "Started into Hell House by Matheson."


John......I really liked Hell House. Also saw the film which is very well done. Spooky!!! Have you read I Am Legend, also by Mathieson. It is excellent......an end-of-the-world tale and very downbeat.

I thought the book I Am Legend was great; and even like the Vincent Price film version. Have yet to read anything else by him, thought The Shrinking Man and Nightmare At 20,000 Feet: Horror Stories By Richard Matheson look like fun.

Jennifer wrote: "Sadie wrote: "I just finished The Giver by Lois Lowry last night, am listening to Flora Segunda, and reading Frankenstein with my husband...which we should finish right around Christmas at the rate..."

Such a wonderful book! It truly made my classes think,