THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

Starling wrote: "I've just started . This is the third book in a historical mystery series set in the reign of Henry VIII. It is a true historical novel; not romantic novel.

I'm readin..."

love historical mysteries, Starling- need to check that one out!

Starling wrote: "Carole wrote: "Brand new release, Her Majesty The King by Patricia L O'Neill, is set in ancient Egypt during the reign of the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut. If you like well researched historical ficti..."

Starling - here is the official website for that book

http://www.hermajestytheking.com/

Brian wrote: "Hi Jill: I am interested! How would you compare it to 1984? If I am not mistaken are you not a history buff? There are not many on goodreads. I would like to invite you to be a goodreads friend. Ma..." Brian.....would love to be a Goodreads friend with another history buff. I learned about "Earth Abides" while reading a book on the history of radio.....it mentioned a program based on the book that caused quite a stir. I ordered the book and was quite pleased. It has a very different take on a post apocalyptic world than that found in "1984", so I really can't compare the two books. Suffice to say, both are terrific.

Hi Jill: Sure sounds like me. It amounted to months to find a sentence on the vinyl version of "The Temples of Sphrix" by Rush. Finally I found what I was looking for, a sentence attributing the idea of the song loosely based on the book "Anthem" by Ayn Rand. I ordered the book (which is in my top ten favs. of all time) and seen the connection quite vividly. Historically, I read books on Egypt, the Assyrians, the real story of Massada and the Zealots, etc. Other cultures fascinate me.You are quite right that two books can roughly have the same theme and yet hard to compare!!

Hi Rick; I had the good fortune to search for books in another of this cities possible places, "Value Village". I bought a mind condition with the original cover of "The Highwayman And Mr.Dickens" which occording to the cover is attributed to Wilkie Collins. I think I will break away for awhile from my current book to read something from Wilkie. What do you think of the book and is it really from Wilkie Collins as claimed to be discovered and edited by William J. Palmer?

"The Highwayman And Mr.Dickens" - was written by a current author- using Dickens and Collins as characters- since they were close firends-interesting story :::The ghastly double murder of a society doctor's beautiful wife and her maid reuintes celebrated novelist Charles Dickens, his protege Wilkie Collins, and formidable Inspector Field of the Metropolitan Protectives in another brilliant quest for justice. They manage to defend old friend ex-burglar Tally Ho Thompson who's arrested at the scene, but then the case takes the men from the pestilential cells of Newgate to the city's steamiest dives. Gamblers, thieves, swells, whores, and Collins's fiery lover, Irish Meg, all join the chase of a killer who is the stuff of nightmares....

Brian- I STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU READ THE WOMAN IN WHITE by Wilkie COLLINS or THE MOONSTONE - both are readily available and inexpensive (Most libraries have them too) If you want a more gothic tale- Woman in White - if you are more keen for a detective type book- The Moonstone is a classic.

Rick wrote: ""The Highwayman And Mr.Dickens" - was written by a current author- using Dickens and Collins as characters- since they were close firends-interesting story :::The ghastly double murder of a society..." I may have to look for that book as well. It sounds like a good read. Re: Wilkie Collins, I really liked "The Moonstone" but was not as keen on "The Woman in White". Have you read "Riddle of the Sands" by Erskine Childers? That's another good early British mystery/espionage book.

Well I am convinced! Heard so much good about "Women In White". Will order it. I am more than dismayed at authors who try to capitalize on another's fame. That is twice an author has claimed to found a book by Wilkie Collins that somehow was "lost". Shameful! The good news is the local used book store has a long list of Wilkie Collins books that can be ordered. Did you know Rick many of them are going to be re released? One case that proves my point to a large degree is when Stephen King wrote under another name to see how much his fame affected sales. A four book series. One suspicious person researched and discovered it was Stephen King. Writing under another name he sold only 20,000 copies. When it was re released as a Stephen King book all of them went to #1.

Hi Everyone!
I finished "notes from the underground" by Dostoyevsky
and am reading "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse.

I am Rereading THE LOCK ARTIST by Steve Hamilton. He is such a great writer and keeps it real. This is a very good book.

Rick, I've noticed you are a member of my Edgar Allan Poe discussion group, that I am a moderator of..... I was wondering if you'd like to read the stories suggested on there now,and help me get some discussion going??? Also,Brian, I just now invited you to join. Hope you will. Anyone else in here interested in becoming a member too,and get into some discussion about Poe, please let me or anyone else know. I also asked you too, Martha!

Did you hear what happened last night at Poe's grave in Baltimore?? I featured that in the discussion in the Poe bookclub. Take a look!!!!

All the best,

gary

After reading the very interesting forward that included psychology and his diligent research for the book, I decided to start reading "Poor Miss Finch". Much to my surprise he had a fascination with twins and their relationships published in previous books and it was not the first time Wilkie chose a character that was blind too. Many more similarities that are very comparable to his earlier books.

Starling wrote: "I've just started . This is the third book in a historical mystery series set in the reign of Henry VIII. It is a true historical novel; not romantic novel.

I'm readin..."

Here I am replying to my own posting because I'm seriously thinking about not finishing this book. I loved the first two books in the series, but this time the main character AND his sidekick keep doing the most stupid things, because they think those things will keep them out of trouble, and just keep getting deeper and deeper into trouble. I keep wanting to scream, NO, don't tell the authorities what the dying man said (especially because you don't understand what he said). NO, don't go and search the house the authorities have already searched without telling them first. NO,...

Very frustrating!

Starling wrote: "I've just started . This is the third book in a historical mystery series set in the reign of Henry VIII. It is a true historical novel; not romantic novel.

I'm readin..."

I have read all four books in this series about Shardlake, a solicitor in the time of Henry VIII. They are all really great.

I just finished The Lovely Bones and didn't care for it. I'm not sure what all the hype was about.

Jill wrote: "Rick wrote: ""The Highwayman And Mr.Dickens" - was written by a current author- using Dickens and Collins as characters- since they were close firends-interesting story :::The ghastly double murder..."

no I have not read Riddle of the Sands but will for sure look it up!

Gary wrote: "Rick, I've noticed you are a member of my Edgar Allan Poe discussion group, that I am a moderator of..... I was wondering if you'd like to read the stories suggested on there now,and help me ge..."

I have complete works of Poe- and will be happy to engage in discusions!

I'm currently reading 2 books--Holy Anorexia by Rudolph M. Bell, an historical examination of anorexia nervosa through the lives of certain 14th, 15th and 16th century saints, and Bring Me Your Saddest Arizona, a collection of short stories by Ryan Harty.

Mary wrote: "I'm currently reading 2 books--Holy Anorexia by Rudolph M. Bell, an historical examination of anorexia nervosa through the lives of certain 14th, 15th and 16th century saints, and [bo..."

Mary- I also read 2 books at a time!

Sometimes you have to, Rick! Holy Anorexia is a bit dry and serious--I need a break.

ETA: I was looking up C.J. Sansom's Matthew Shardale series on Amazon (thanks to Starling for the tip!) and came across this: The Unquiet Bones: The First Chronicle of Hugh De Singleton, Surgeon by Melvin Starr. Has anyone read this and what did you think?

never read that book- seems interesting- noticed there is a second volume--A Corpse at St. Andrew's Chapel: The Second Chronicle of Hugh de Singleton, Surgeon -

Rick wrote: "Mary wrote: "I'm currently reading 2 books--Holy Anorexia by Rudolph M. Bell, an historical examination of anorexia nervosa through the lives of certain 14th, 15th and 16th century sa..."
Mary and Rick.....I am also in that group that reads two books at the same time. Sure beats television, doesn't it?

^^You are too right! One of my friends and I became friends to begin with due to our mutual love of reading, but since she got divorced and started her adventures in serial monogamy she spends a LOT more time watching TV. I still talk about books and she blathers on about all the reality shows she is hooked on which she watches on her new gigantic wallmounted HD TV. Quite sad, really.

Mary wrote: "^^You are too right! One of my friends and I became friends to begin with due to our mutual love of reading, but since she got divorced and started her adventures in serial monogamy she spends a LO..." Mary....I know what you mean. I have friends who can tell you about every "reality" show ever telecast but don't know who Jane Austin is. I'm not making fun of them.....I just don't understand. A good friend of mine who has finally discovered the joy of books, once said to me that she didn't read because "there were too many words". We still laugh over that statement.

I have another friend who doesn't read because she "doesn't have time". That makes no sense to me. She works 36 hours a week, at night--same as me. I bring a book with me to work because what else is there to do when the patients are stable and sleeping? The hours between 12 AM and 4 AM are perfect for reading! Plus, 36 hours a week is 3 days---how about those other 4? A week has 7 days, you know.

I know, I know...everyone's priorities are different. But to me life without books would be a wasteland.

I CAN UNDERSTAND ONE HAVING AN AFFINITY FOR THE THEATRE BUT TELEVISION IS SUCH GARBAGE

I'm a one book at a time girl, and I'm currently reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. I picked it up because I saw that it won the Man Booker Prize, and I'm a sucker for reading prize winning books. (Whether I like them or not.) It's an interesting perspective on the Tudor story we all know well. And it's the anti-The Other Boleyn Girl.

Rick wrote: "I CAN UNDERSTAND ONE HAVING AN AFFINITY FOR THE THEATRE BUT TELEVISION IS SUCH GARBAGE"

I agree with you in general, Rick, but it is more like having to mine for quality shows, in my opinion. When I do want to take a few minutes to scan the channels and unwind from working on something intense, I can never find anything.

Which made me wonder, are there any good blogs that focus on finding "thoughtful" television? Surely there must be. Could we start a thread here requesting links to bloggers who scour American television for thoughtful shows?

I DVR the shows I want to watch. There is good TV, and there is not so good TV, and there is garbage TV. But just as all books are not garbage, neither is all TV.

And just as I don't only want to read "thoughtful" books, I don't want to only watch "thoughtful" TV.

I'd love to find a blogger who covers TV without all of the hype. That is a place were I like the word "thoughtful." Most TV blogs just don't do it for me.

Hi, Starling,

I don't even know what a DVR is! I don't spend much on technology outside of my office equipment. My television set is about 20 years old! ha ha

Well, I am compelled to use the word thoughtful, because so MUCH of television seems to be created to not edify in any way that I can see. I appreciate silly, off-the-top also, but look at the percentage of thoughtful vs. dull that you find on the television screen.

Sarah wrote: "Hi, Starling,

I don't even know what a DVR is! I don't spend much on technology outside of my office equipment. My television set is about 20 years old! ha ha

Well, I am compelled to use the w..."

Sarah
DVR is a feature which allows you to record the shows you like into a cable box- and watch them when you want- skipping commercials. The only show I really enjoy is Judge Judy- so I DVR'd it so everyday it tapes her show- I go to my DVR menu- choose a show (or old movie I may have recorded) and watch the show- then delete it.

Jill wrote: "Has anyone read "Earth Abides" by George Stewart? What an absorbing tale in the "end of the world" genre. I think it was written in the 1930s or 40s and was presented on the radio around that tim..."

Hi Jill

I read Earth Abides in the 70s, I still have the book (am always reluctant to get rid of books) - I loved it when I read it.

If you like that theme, try When Late the Sweet Birds Did Sing by Kate Wilhelm, that one makes me cry every time I read it.

Carol wrote: "Jill wrote: "Has anyone read "Earth Abides" by George Stewart? What an absorbing tale in the "end of the world" genre. I think it was written in the 1930s or 40s and was presented on the radio ar..."

just added When Late the Sweet Birds Did Sing to our Group BookShelf! sounds like a winner- thanks Carol

got me a tad confused! title is Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang
by Kate Wilhelm
"where or what" so I dont see see where the difference is-WHAT-ever!

Just starting my first Vince Flynn novel "Transfer of Power".

Still working on Persuasion.

And at some point in my lifetime I will finish Frankenstein that I started last October with my husband, but it stays in the car and is only read for about 20 minutes once a week. We have less than 100 pages left, so it's killing me. I may bring it in the house this weekend. I have really enjoyed it.

Jill wrote: "Mary wrote: "^^You are too right! One of my friends and I became friends to begin with due to our mutual love of reading, but since she got divorced and started her adventures in serial monogamy sh..."

Love Jane Austen! Actually just finished a novel about her life called Just Jane. Kinda cool to see her come alive like I've envisioned her. And the author actually did their research well. Boggles my mind when people look at you funny when you mention her name.

I'm in the middle of Lady of Milkweed Manor (Regency era novel)

Sadie wrote: "Just starting my first Vince Flynn novel "Transfer of Power".

Still working on Persuasion.

And at some point in my lifetime I will finish Frankenstein that I started last October with my hus..."

LOL you sound like me! I have three different books going on all the time. Get caught up in one and forget the others, then remember the others!

Jennifer wrote: "Sadie wrote: "Just starting my first Vince Flynn novel "Transfer of Power".

Still working on Persuasion.

And at some point in my lifetime I will finish Frankenstein that I started last Octob..."
So right, Jennifer.....some times its hard to keep up with what you are reading. And then to top it off, I have started a book, gotten about two chapters into it and then realized that I had read it before!!!!.....a sort of reader's amnesia I guess.

Jill wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Sadie wrote: "Just starting my first Vince Flynn novel "Transfer of Power".

Still working on Persuasion.

And at some point in my lifetime I will finish Frankenstein that I s..."

Hahaha! I've done the same thing!

Right now I'm reading The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh and once I finish that I'll be reading Loving Frank by Nancy Horan, The Help by Kathryn Stockett and Lolita, all for a couple of other groups I'm in.

Fiona wrote: "I'm reading The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough with another group. It's my mum's favourite too. So far I am quite enjoying it."

Colleen McCullough is a wonderful writer- I believe she is now writing a series of ancient historical novels

I am still reading The Screwtape Letters and also The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, because I have heard excellent reviews of TGwtDT. I also snuck this one into a couple of my challenges to make sure I read it.

heard good reviews of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo too

I have taken a break from my history reading and picked up "The Old Silent" by Martha Grimes. I think her books are such fun and have great eccentric characters.....and good mysteries as well.

Catamorandi wrote: "I am still reading The Screwtape Letters and also The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, because I have heard excellent reviews of TGwtDT. I also snuck this one into a couple of my challenges to make su..."

ooo! Screwtape Letters is good. Love C.S. Lewis!

I've dived into Ursula Le Guin's Wester Shore trilogy. I've been jonesing for some YA fantasy and thought I'd hop in audio wise. I'm also reading Jess Granger's Beyond the Rain and Jon F. Merz's the Fixer Files. Both have a bit of an action bent with a little bit of the speculative that I love so much. I'm really enjoying them!

Just about done with Face of the Assassin- real unique plot - which is saying alot for a current thriller! abour 2/3 done with Lady Audley's Secret- it is a great read- very much in the Wilkie Collins tradition

I started reading two books last night: Loving Frank by Nancy Horan because I've had it sitting on my bookshelf for a long time and someone in another group wanted to get a few people together to read it, and The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough because a couple of my Goodreads/FaceBook friends just read it and raved about it. I've only read a few pages of each book but so far they both seem like they will be really good.

Rick: Colleen McCullough wrote an entire series on the end of the Roman Republic (Masters of Rome series, I think). I read most of the series last year because we were covering ancient Rome with my kids (home schooling). They are very thoroughly researched and compelling, but not for the faint of heart (lots of Roman personal and place names, lots of battles, lots of politics). I found them fascinating and much better than a history course. I wrote reviews of 6 of the 7 books (I skipped the last one on Antony and Cleopatra because McCullough convinced me that Antony was something of a slimeball.)

As for what I'm reading now and why: A Thousand and One Nights, partly because I love stories filled with magic and magical creatures and this is the mother of all fantasy tales and partly because it serves as primary literature for the Middle Ages, albeit those in Persia. I'm also reading A Short History of World Christianity and The Middle Ages (more history reading). Since I like novels the best, I just started Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose, which I read in high school but didn't understand the history or theology underpinning it. I hope to appreciate better now that I'm older and wiser.

I've got several books going right now...try to keep several going at once most of the time. Usually a fiction, a non-fiction, and possibly an audio to listen to when my hands are busy with something else. I just ran across a book that has been out of print for some time (Prologue: The Brothers) and it's a pretty good book, better than I expected.

I'm also about half through The Man Who Was Thursday. Then I need to get through a few more novels so i can get them back to the library...I tend to end up with large stacks of books waiting to be read.