- Perfection by Julie Metz -- TerriC, 08:44:08 02/06/10 Sat
A male friend of mine sent me a NY Times article early last summer about recomended "chick lit" books. Two intrigued me - Perfection and Commencement. I bought both. Commencement was was touted as this generation's version of Mary McCarthy's The Group. Well, I read The Group and, to paraphrase George Bush, this was no The Group; don't bother - I wanted to smack the main characters silly. But, Perfection, which I've just gotten to (I put off reading it because the subject seemed so depressing) - OMG!!! It's a real-lfe memior of a woman whose husband dies suddenly when she's 43 and he's 44. After 16 years together - some rocky as they seem to fight constantly - she's devasted, as we all would be. But, she's even more devasted to discover via his emails that he's been having affairs for during the course of their marriage. It's like watching an accident - it's horrible, but you can't look away. The writing is wonderful, despite the topic. I couldn't put it down! One of the intriguing themes is the author's rebirth and her recreation of herself in the aftermath of her husband's death and her discovery of his infidelities. Despite the depressing topic, I highly recommend it. Her spirit and grit transcend the horror of her journey back to herself.
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- Perfection by Julie Metz -- TerriC, 08:42:44 02/06/10 Sat
A male friend of mine sent me a NY Times article early last summer about recomended "chick lit" books. Two intrigued me - Perfection and Commencement. I bought both. Commencement was was touted as this generation's version of Mary McCarthy's The Group. Well, I read The Group and, to paraphrase George Bush, this was no The Group; don't bother - I wanted to smack the main characters silly. But, Perfection, which I've just gotten to (I put off reading it because the subject seemed so depressing) - OMG!!! It's a real-lfe memior of a woman whose husband dies suddenly when she's 43 and he's 44. I After 16 together - some rocky as they seem to fight constantly - she's devasted, as we all would be. But, she's even more devasted to discover via his emails that he's been having affairs for during the course of their marriage. It's like watching an accident - it's horrible, but you can't look away. The writing is wonderful, despite the topic. I couldn't put it down! One of the intriguing themes is the author's rebirth and her recreation of herself in the aftermath of her husband's death and her discovery of his infidelities. Despite the depressing topic, I highly recommend it. Her spirit and grit transcend the horror of her journey back to herself.
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- Anyone a fan of Margaret Elphinstone? -- Fi, 08:26:12 02/05/10 Fri
I've recently discovered this Scottish writer and I can't believe she's not better known.
So far I've read:
- The Sea Road. Set in the Viking era. The story is about the first European woman to set foot in the Americas.
- Voyageurs. Set in early 19th century Canada. A young Quaker man goes in search of his sister, who has been kidnapped by Indians.
- The Gathering Night. Set in prehistoric Scotland. A woman becomes a "Go-Between" (shaman) when her son goes missing.
She has a real knack of bringing characters and historical setting to life. For example, when I read The Sea Road, her description made me shiver from the cold. Highly recommended.
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- Is The Red Tent going to get any better? -- Conmama, 08:42:18 02/01/10 Mon
I'm about half way thru and it's not as good as I was anticipating. It's just OK. I could give up on it easily. So, for those of you who felt like I did when they were reading it, should I forge ahead?
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- I haven't read it in a while, but I thoroughly enjoyed "The Red Tent" when I read it. I would keep pushing, it's really a good book! (NT) -- Lady Stormwing, 09:53:05 02/01/10 Mon
- I also thoroughly enjoyed it when I read it. It was a choice for a course I was doing (Women in Holy Writ). (NT) -- Keira, 15:03:04 02/01/10 Mon
- I really loved it, too. But I listened to it on audio CD and it was read by the author, who read is so nicely it almost sounded like a lengthy poem. (NT) -- Reilly, 20:51:29 02/02/10 Tue
- I tried reading it, but found it frustrating... I had to keep referring back to the family tree, b/c I couldn't keep the names straight. (NT) -- ladyphantom, 09:32:44 02/03/10 Wed
- I love all historical novel and I loved the biblical setting in this one. Keep at it - it's worth it. (NT) -- MonicaW, 09:33:23 02/03/10 Wed
- Hmmm. I read it and liked it- not loved it. But it is one of those books that's really stuck with me, that I remember often. Made me go back and read that part of the Bible, but I can't say it was a great ride or that I really liked any of the characters. If you aren't enjoying it and you've gotten to the part where the line from the Bible comes from, I'd say you've gotten the historical feel which Diamonte did so well and the gist of what she's saying with this book. (NT) --
susiej, 13:08:37 02/03/10 Wed
- It was good but not great (NT) -- Josiejo, 10:04:04 02/07/10 Sun
- red tent -- Andi B (Mmmm), 16:29:12 02/07/10 Sun
- Come on over to Broch Talk for a fun new Game, “MonicaW’s Alphabet Word Game” -- LisaW, 21:41:29 01/31/10 Sun
This will help you out of the Winter Blues!
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- The Help by Kathryn Stockett -- Janelle N, 21:08:54 01/29/10 Fri
Did anyone else read this book last year? I read earlier this month after it won Best book of 2009 at 'Goodreads' - I found it when I was voting for Echo :)
The blurb reads... "In Jackson, Mississippi, in 1962, there are lines that are not crossed. With the civil rights movement exploding all around them, three women start a movement of their own, forever changing a town and the way women--black and white, mothers and daughters--view one another".
I give it 5 stars.
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- Christian writer Francine Rivers: Redeeming Love, A Voice in the Wind (first novel in the Mark of the Lion series) -- ladyphantom, 14:32:51 01/29/10 Fri
I have read Redeeming Love three times... it is powerful and inspiring. I highly recommend it.
From Francine's website: Best-selling author Francine Rivers skillfully retells the biblical love story of Gomer and Hosea in a tale set against the exciting backdrop of the California Gold Rush. The heroine, Angel, is a young woman who was sold into prostitution as a child. Michael Hosea is a godly man sent into Angel’s life to draw her into the Savior’s redeeming love.
I am almost finished with A Voice in the Wind and will definitely finish the series.
From Francine's website: Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, a young slave girl clings to her faith in the living God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.
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- Anybody Ever Wanting to Give Dunnett a Try -- susiej, 11:51:31 01/26/10 Tue
Shamrock and Stones is starting a House of Niccolo discussion at the end of the month. H of Niccolo is an easier read than the Chronicles of Lymond, and Nicholas is a little more easy to love. Annabel once put it like this: Lymond is a polished lover like Frank. Nicholas is pure unflagging joy like Jamie. Either way they are both just hot! Plus with Cindy and Sallie and the others over there to explain things- well, its a good opp for those who are interested
http://www.voy.com/202493/
Nicholas broke my heart, but I think I've almost forgiven him and am ready to give him a chance to explain himself.
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Replies:
- Oh no! You mean I'm about to have my heart broken? Guess that's par for the course with DD's books, and don't we love the journey? (NT) -- LT (Denise), 16:08:48 01/26/10 Tue
- Susiej stopped too soon! (NT) -- FranS, 20:00:48 01/26/10 Tue
- Hi Susie....boy...I don't know. Lymond was so hard for me to understand, and I even kept at the whole book. I did come to really have a crush on him, but I felt like I only understood 50% of what was being said or going on. So, you think Nicollo is much easier to understand? (NT) -- conmama, 05:42:53 01/27/10 Wed
- If you had a crush on him in the first book, you will be hopelessly in love by about the 3rd. And I did a reread this year that made me fall all over again. As for Nicholas- oh, I really thought he was It, like the best ever, ever (barring Jame of course, but Jamie just so belongs to Claire, you know) Nicholas was like Lymond without the pretensious facade, but he had a flaw that I couldn't accept. I quit the series; however, I think I've come to understand it. (NT) -- susiej, 07:15:16 01/27/10 Wed
- Conmama, if you understood 50% of Lymond then you were doing phenomenally well! I've just read the first chapter of 'Niccolo Rising' last night and it was a cinch compared to Lymond - no 'what the h*ll does that mean' moments at all! (NT) -- LT (Denise), 19:45:07 01/27/10 Wed
- I have been lurking over on the Shamrock and Stones board and I was thinking of reading this but I, like others, was intimidated by Lymond. So maybe I will give it a try and get into the discussion. I'm glad to hear it isn't as complicated as Lymond, I really struggled with the first book and didn't go on reading any more. (NT) -- LisaW, 20:28:46 01/27/10 Wed
- I am give the Nicholas Books a try -- Josiejoe, 07:14:13 02/04/10 Thu
- I am having a very hard time with Nicholas Rising. I am about 1/3 throught it and want to stop but I keep hoping that it will get easier to follow. Will it? (NT) -- Josiejo, 10:01:38 02/07/10 Sun
- I just finished reading THE WHITE QUEEN by Philipa Gregory. I thought it was maybe one of her first books, perhaps. I loved The Other Boleyn Girl and The Boleyn Inheritance. I couldn't believe that it was written in 2009, it doesn't even seem at all up to her standard of writing. Was I the only one that thought so? Any other PG novels that are as good as the TOB and TBH? -- conmama, 08:39:53 01/26/10 Tue
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- I didn't really enjoy the White Queen either. I had to force myself to keep reading it. I thought maybe it was because I wasn't as familiar with the War of the Roses as I was with Tudor England, but maybe I was wrong. Oh well. The Other Boleyn Girl and The Queen's Fool are still my favorites. (NT) -- Lady Stormwing, 11:16:16 01/26/10 Tue
- I've been disappointed with the last couple of books I have read by Philippa Gregory. (NT) -- Marg, 14:24:00 01/26/10 Tue
- I'm beginning to think The Other Boleyn Girl was a fluke. None of her other books measure up to it. The Queens Fool was a major disappointment. I have The White Queen on hold at the lib, maybe I'll skip it (NT) -- Cherie, 22:10:29 01/26/10 Tue
- The only book I really enjoyed from P. Gregory was TOBG. The others dragged on for me. (NT) -- MonicaW, 04:30:47 01/27/10 Wed
- I rarely stop reading a book halfway through, but did with this one. I never really got a sense of the characters. or cared what happpened to them Maybe Elizabeth Woodville got a bit tougher towards the end of the story, but I found her to be a bit wet. I know history can treat women unkindly and maybe Gregory wanted to redress the balance, but I found EW totally drippy and implausible. She must have something about her instead of the passive creature Gregory portrays her as. (NT) -- albion, 09:28:44 01/28/10 Thu
- This book stunk. It was a "talking heads" book, you know what I mean? I LOVED The Other Boleyn Girl, but this one was very dry. Like a textbook. Nothing seemed to HAPPEN. People just talked an talked. Ugh. It was very disappointing. I loved the cover though. (NT) -- Lisa J in Calgary, 14:58:18 01/29/10 Fri
- Eat This, Not That! Supermarket Survival Guide by David Zinczenko -- Sorcha (), 17:46:59 01/21/10 Thu
This is not a novel, it is a 300 page book that is FULL of information about eating healthy. It's fascinating, too. I have lost FIVE pounds in the last 2 1/2 weeks just by making smarter choices based off the information in this book. I have done nothing else, just changed some eating habits. I am not hungry, I eat things that taste good, and I have started reading labels religiously.
Creative marketing has gotten really good at making things look good for us when they're not. Obviously if we read labels we can make better choices, but this book goes WAY beyond that... every turn of a page shows you several great choices and several awful choices, thus the name Eat This, Not That. It goes on to explain why too. I keep it in my purse and refer to it regularly while at the grocery store.
This author has other versions of this book as well, and I plan to purchase a couple of those as well. I started with the Supermarket Survival Guide because I cook often and it was the most effective for me. I am going to buy it for each of my sisters too, and I have been telling all my friends about it. Not only will making better choices help us lose weight, but it will make us healthier (which is ultimately my goal).
I JUST CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS BOOK!!!
There is also a website... www.eatthis.com
Last edited by author: Thu January 21, 2010 17:49:47
Edited 1 time.
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- Yahoo News often picks up a column by him and it is always fascinating. He really helps us become wise consumers of the food that's packaged to us, even the ones that pretend to be good for us. (NT) -- ValerieL, 07:25:29 01/22/10 Fri
- Are you eating less gluten? That's what I'm trying to do- less wheat based products so I'm forced to eat more rice and potatoes instead of sticking bread in my mouth. A piece of chocolate as opposed to a cookie, that kind of thing. And when I was really strict over a 3 day period, I lost 3 lbs, but its really hard to keep up with a family- you know, no pizza, no bun on a hamburger. (NT) -- susiej, 07:29:44 01/22/10 Fri
- Hey Sorcha--I've seen this mtntioned several places before--I saw it at my local warehosue club and on very quick persual it seemed to only be choices for fast food, ie:" Eat the grilled chicken sandwich, not the chicken ceasar salad". Does it also have info on just regular supermarket choices? ie: "buy this yogurt not that" "buy this bread, not that"?? (NT) -- FloraMac, 04:59:01 01/25/10 Mon
- Thanks, Sorcha - just got this today. Have loved the regular Eat This, Not That & the kid version too. Looking forward to perusing this one! (NT) -- MaryJ, 10:09:02 01/27/10 Wed
- Oh, I am glad I cruised over here today! Sorcha, this sounds like a book after my own heart. Thank you so much for mentioning it here! (NT) -- Lemora, 16:19:58 01/27/10 Wed
- Hey ladies I have been eating this way for 2 1/2 months and have lost 22 lbs. I enjoy coming up with interesting meals that follow these guidelines. I'm actually enjoying my food more, and I am never hungry. I do enjoy a glass of red wine most nights, the occasional bit of chocolate, and have eaten "off" the program several times, and still the weight is coming off. (NT) -- Brookita, 03:05:42 02/04/10 Thu
- Not sure if this is the right board for this, buuuuuttttt....I'm trying it anyway. -- Lady Stormwing, 15:52:52 01/21/10 Thu
I know there are some Earth's Children fans out there, so I'm wondering: has anyone heard anything about book six? It's been almost eight years since "Shelters of Stone" came out, and I know Ms. Auel likes to be thorough, but I can't find any information anywhere. Have you found anything? Heard anything? I know she hasn't passed on, so I'm hoping she's just still writing!
LS
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- Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier -- susiej, 09:33:10 01/21/10 Thu
OMG! OMG! I just finished this and all I can say are the words of the one who recommended it to me: "Get your hands on this book and don't look back!"
Its got the magic of Outlander. It does.
And here's the wonderfully wise bookbloggers site
clickit
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Replies:
- Sounds good! thanks for the recommendation (NT) -- MonicaW, 11:09:47 01/21/10 Thu
- Maybe this will be the year that I manage to actually read Marillier. I have been meaning to for yours, and this is such an enthusiastic recommendation! (NT) -- Marg, 14:24:44 01/21/10 Thu
- I loved this series, as they were all good. (NT) -- FranS, 14:39:17 01/21/10 Thu
- Make sure you read the whole series, I loved it as well as the Bridei's Court series. (NT) -- LadyGrace, 11:16:56 01/22/10 Fri
- I've never read this author, but I'm going to start with this book. (NT) -- DawnW., 17:15:35 01/22/10 Fri
- Your old post is still way down at the bottom. It's amazing how much better they are when read in the proper order,eh? I just read book 4. Some day should re-read the whole series. Don't forget the Bridei Chronicles. (NT) -- CarolE, 21:59:10 01/24/10 Sun
- I have this book upstairs on my shelves! I've had it for years and never read it. I am now going to go immediately upstairs and start it today! :0) (NT) -- Lisa J in Calgary, 14:59:39 01/29/10 Fri
- Should I finish? -- McCurley, 16:18:59 01/20/10 Wed
Hello! I've just found LOL, and am very happy I've done so. I just recently started reading the Outlander series, and have finished the first book.
My question is, I love where the first book left off. I'm afraid to continue the series and find out that it's one of those that I'd wished I would have stopped with the first. I'm wondering if anyone else has felt this way, or perhaps has continued.
Is the rest of the series worth continuing? Do they contain all of the romantic adventures and antics of the first book? =] I would love a recomendation for them, if you could! Or perhaps a warning, if they stray from it.
Thank you so much!
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Replies:
- Oh honey, you HAVE to read them all! They story just gets deeper and (I don't know if this is the exact word I'm looking for) mature. DG creates a whole world of interesting people! 2 words of advice: 1) read them in order and 2) when you start Dragonfly in Amber you will probably think you skipped a book- nope! It really is the 2nd book in the series. Happy Reading! PS Your family and friends may think you fell off the face of the Earth because you won't be able to stop reading once you get started. (NT) -- RisaB, 16:45:07 01/20/10 Wed
- Ditto what Risa said!!! Run, do not walk, to your library or book shop and get going on Dragonfly. (NT) -- Keira, 19:20:12 01/20/10 Wed
- You definitely need to Keep Reading! (NT) -- Marg, 20:20:40 01/20/10 Wed
- At least read the 1st three, that's where my husband stopped. If you don't, you'll kick yourself. Everyone on these boards has read or plans t read them all though. (NT) -- Margy, 01:13:58 01/21/10 Thu
- Oh my gosh, thank goodness you asked - I'd hate to think of anyone who read Outlander missing the rest of the story! Read, read, read & and have Voyager on hand when you finish Dragonfly *G*. (NT) -- MaryJ, 06:44:40 01/21/10 Thu
- Echo in the Bone is the first one I have been able to put down. The rest were awesome. (NT) -- Marcia, 16:37:30 01/21/10 Thu
- Thanks! -- McCurley, 17:37:19 01/21/10 Thu
- They are worth continuing. However, there are going to be some storylines, or even books that you might not like. Many storylines are brilliant and worth trudging onward. Some of them have mad me very angry, and I didn't like the book. So, the question to your answer is I don't know yet. I love Outlander. If the ending of the series makes my heart soar, then yes...the ride was worth it. If I'm disappointed or angry, then the answer would be no....but we're no there yet. (NT) -- conmama, 04:24:12 01/22/10 Fri
- Outlander Series -- Sandra in Lockport, NY, 10:27:52 01/22/10 Fri
- I have read the entire series at least 2x since September. Outlander is my favorite, but each and every book has a storyline that will fascinate you and writing that is very powerful. I am obsessed with this series. :) (NT) -- CarolSR, 08:27:35 01/23/10 Sat
- OMG!!! Read! Read! Read and enjoy! (NT) -- Miss Michele, 17:04:05 01/25/10 Mon
- You really need to read on, you will not be disappointed (NT) -- LisaW, 20:31:44 01/27/10 Wed
- I agree with all the previous comments. These books are magic. Sometimes you'll read stuff that disgusts or depresses or disappoints you, but, overall, this is the best series of books ever written. Hang in there through the tough stuff because overall, it doesn't get any better than this!! (NT) -- TerriC, 08:13:32 02/06/10 Sat
- I'm in the minority here, but I could've stopped at "Outlander" and felt perfectly okay with it. I've read the series and am currently in the middle of "Echo". For me, it's interesting to see what DG is doing with the story, but it's not a compelling read. (NT) -- Lemora, 00:07:56 02/07/10 Sun
- Vampire stuff (:-D) -- ScarlettO, 10:38:20 01/12/10 Tue
So I finally gave in and read the Twilight "Saga" - and loved it, much to my surprise. While I don't think it's exactly high-quality literature, it's a change of pace and a good escape.
Since I liked "Vamp Lit," I agreed to read the "House of Night" series - aimed at teens - since my DD wanted to read it and someone had told her it was a little "iffy" - and it is. Good books (although I wouldn't recommend reading 6 in a row - they get a bit repetitive and you can see the foreshadowing from a thousand miles away) but it's a bit mature in terms of the sexual content - multiple references to blow jobs (sorry) that I would prefer my girls don't read just quite yet.
ANYhow, the real reason for this post is that I'd like your recommendations on other "Vamp Lit" books, preferably aimed at adults. Anybody? Anybody? Bueller?
Thanks!
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Replies:
- LOL, Ferris Bueller is one of our favs!!!! Having both a son and a nephew who resemble him, it's always good for a laugh!!! (NT) -- Keira, 12:22:47 01/12/10 Tue
- Thanks for the tips on The whole blow job thing. My kids love vampires and are not old enough (8 yrs. and 10yrs.) to read twilight yet. But we have friends that have kids old enough to read them and are now looking for more vampire reads. I will let them know about the BJs. I know for a fact that they would not want their kids reading that. Oh another question how old should my kids be to read the twilight saga? My 10yr boy really wants to but I say no not till high school. That sound good right, please say I am right so many of his friends read it but I think they lack the emotional maturity for them. I have read them though and loved them. (NT) -- BrandyC, 15:28:48 01/12/10 Tue
- If you like vampire comedy I can recommend 'Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story' and its sequel 'You Suck' both by Christopher Moore. I really enjoyed them. He also wrote 'Lamb: the Gospel According to Biff' which is one of the funniest/weirdest books I've ever read. Biff is Jesus' childhood friend. No vampires though. Many people have recommended 'The Historian' to me, but I haven't read it yet. I have a neighbor who loves the 'True Blood' series, but I haven't read that yet either. As an aside, if you liked Twilight, you may also like Stephenie Meyer's other book 'The Host'. Writing is better than Twilight and the story is good. Not very sci-fi even though it has aliens. I really liked it. (NT) -- MonicaW, 15:34:15 01/12/10 Tue
- I've heard the Sookie Stackhouse vampire books are good by Charlane Harris. The Historian was really good, but I wouldn't exactly call it a vampire book, though it is about Dracula...it is a very rich, slow moving, historical novel. I haven't read Bloodsucking Fiends, but Christopher Moore is a favorite author of mine.. (NT) -- FloraMac, 16:05:15 01/12/10 Tue
- You want adult vampire lit? Sexy stuff? Get thee some of the Brotherhood of the Black Dagger series by JR Ward. They become quite addictive! There's 7 books (so far) I think and please read them in order since they build nicely on each other. (NT) -- LT (Denise), 17:48:14 01/12/10 Tue
- Laurell K Hamilton, JR Ward, Charlaine Harris, Mary Janice Davidson, Anne Rice, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kim Harrison (NT) -- Cherie, 19:03:37 01/12/10 Tue
- L J Smith has a series that has recently been made into a TV series - The Vampire Diarires. I read the first recently and it is quite clean content wise, with a good storyline. Kelley Armstrong writes excellent paranormal featuring mainly werewolves but plenty of other paranormal types as well. For a fun vampire read, try Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series. Another good mix of vampires/werewolves etc is Keri Arthur's Riley Jensen series. (NT) -- Marg, 20:44:03 01/12/10 Tue
- I have to second Laurell K. Hamilton... her Anita Blake series is pretty good. Although its not vampires, I actually prefer her Meredith Gentry series about the Sidhe even better. (NT) -- Sorcha, 17:19:47 01/14/10 Thu
- I like the House of Night books better than the Twilight so far, I've read the first 3. I didn't like The Host at all. Loved the Brother hood!!! Some other authors are P. N. Elrod, Tanya Huff, Nora Roberts' trilogy that starts with Morrigan's Cross, Jennifer Armintrout, Jennifer Rardin, ....Those are all Vampire books, then there are the were-animal books!!! (NT) -- TanyaB, 19:45:43 01/15/10 Fri
- For fast action vampire lit try Jeaniene Frost Night Huntress Series and Karen Chance books-Carrie Palmer Series & Midnights Daughters series. They have action, love and some steamy sex. Kresley Cole has the Immortals after Dark series fun & good. Laurell Hamilton's Merry Gentry series is hawt-over the top sex. JR Wards books are hot too- you will find a fav vamp to fall in love with... (NT) -- AlysL, 09:53:19 01/17/10 Sun
- I read the Twilight Books and too was surprised that I liked them. Just another version of Romeo & Juliet I thought. The Host was better written and I loved it. Wish she would work on the sequel and leave the movies alone! The Sookie Stackhouse books are good, but no great literary writing either. Karen Moning has a series called the Fever Series...DarkFever,BloodFever..etc and though no vamps they are paranormal and quite exciting to read....probably one of my favorite series---next to Outlander! (NT) -- AlysL, 10:05:02 01/17/10 Sun
- YOU HAVE TO GO AND READ THE AUTHOR THE STARTED ALL THIS FRENZY: ANNE RICE. Read the Vampire Chronicles, which trascend into the New Vampire Chronicles...she also has a parallel Saga: The Mayfair Witches, which begins with the book "The Witchiing Hour". This two parallel worlds merge almost at the end. And we have a Vampire-Witch thing...These books are pretty amazing...and Anne Rice's writing is mesmerizing, compelling, descriptive... She turned toher faith and wrote a biography of Jesus Christ and a sequel to it...and just started with Angels...I have her newes "Angel Time: Song of the Seraphims"...her writing is superb, no matter what she's writing abt... (NT) -- Ayira from Panama, 10:22:50 01/22/10 Fri
- The Gift of an Ordinary Day -- Conmama, 02:21:48 01/06/10 Wed
For anyone with teens or soon to be teens, this is a wonderful "mother's memoir". It hit home very poignantly. I was teary through much of it. I saw my life, my behavior, my sons' behavior, my hopes, wishes, worries. It felt nice to know that other's are walking this path out there, also, and feel the same way.
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- The entire Kay Scarpetta Series (in order) by Patricia Cornwell -- Karen Scot by marriage, 20:08:54 01/01/10 Fri
If you read them all from the beginning you might not finish before Diana's book #8 comes out (of course this depends upon your reading speed), effectively distracting yourself until you are FINALLY able to read what is happening with Claire and Jamie (and Bree and Roger and Jemmy and Jenny and Ian and William and Lord John and ...)!
I also believe that Patricia Cornwell is a brilliant woman, possibly in the same league as Diana Gabaldon. Her medical writings are fascinating, but some find her to be rather gory. Her main character, Kay Scarpetta, is chief medical examiner of the commonwealth of (near modern day) Virginia in most of the books. This series is not for everyone.
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- "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks: Differences between the book and movie -- Lemora, 17:22:36 01/01/10 Fri
I've tried to find the book's ending described on the Internet and I cannot find it. I've seen (and love) the movie several times, but I've been told the book's ending is different. I know the differences between the timelines, characters' names, and basic plots of the book and film, but will someone tell me how the book's ending differs from the film's? I know there's a book blog out there somewhere with this information, but I don't know where that is. Nicholas Sparks' website doesn't tell the ending, and no book blogs are linked to his website. Thanks.
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Replies:
- Inside for answers>>>>>in case someone does not want to know -- BrandyC, 17:35:05 01/01/10 Fri
- More inside....... -- Keira, 19:08:56 01/01/10 Fri
- Thank you, Brandy and Keira. >>>> -- Lemora, 12:20:48 01/02/10 Sat
- I loved him in that too Lemora. I have the book on my bookshelf but have never read it. I cried so much in the film (which I absolutely loved) that I couldn't put myself through it again by reading the book. (NT) -- Gwen, 12:40:05 01/02/10 Sat
- Gwen, the book is written very well and while I loved the movie, I enjoyed the book so much more. But then again, I enjoy my own imagination far more than Hollywood's which is why I would likely never watch Outlander-even if they do make a film. I loved the LOTR books and it took me years before I would agree to see the movie. (NT) -- Keira, 14:20:45 01/02/10 Sat
- Gwen, the film affects me that way too. The tears roll from the minute it starts until the ending! Sometimes, I don't watch it, because I just don't want to be put through the wringer. It was one of the last movies I took my parents to when it was in theatres, and since they are of the "Allie and Noah" generation and mom died last year and dad has dementia (but he still misses her --that he remembers) I know reality is affecting the way I process the film, emotionally. All the actors were wonderful. James Garner has always been fabulous --one of the most underrated actors around, bar none. (Gwen and Keira) >>>>> -- Lemora, 15:02:15 01/02/10 Sat
- That makes perfect sense Lemora and I agree completely about Allie's mother, it was so tragic, how could she put her daughter through what she had gone through, but I forgave her too. Especially because she kept the letters rather than destroying them. So tragic though. As far as Outlander goes, I never ever want to see a movie or series. I don't want to share them with a world who won't understand. (NT) -- Gwen (), 02:11:56 01/03/10 Sun
- I loved that movie. So much so, that I went out and bought the book. Maybe it's because I saw the movie first, but I like the movie much better. The book actually seemed "lighter" to me, and the movie with more "meat". Usually, it's the other way around. However, I wasn't as thrilled with the ending of the movie, seemed to unrealistic and a bit hollywood. (NT) -- Conmama, 02:17:57 01/06/10 Wed
- "Daughter of the Empire" by Raymond E. Feist and Janny Wurts -- Lady Stormwing, 19:27:49 12/11/09 Fri
If you enjoy fantasy, please check out "Daughter of the Empire".
Seventeen year old Mara of the Acoma is about to take her vows to the convent and give up secular life forever when her father's warriors break in to inform her that her father and brother have been killed in the war on the barbarian world and she must take up the mantle of Acoma family. With her family's honor destroyed and on the brink of extinction, the untried Mara must engage fully in the Game of the Council and exact her revenge on her father's killer, the Lord of the Minwanabe.
The world and characters are entirely fictional, but if you enjoy political intrigue and drama, then this is definitely the book for you. There are two other books in the series, "Servant of the Empire" and "Mistress of the Empire". I'm on the second one now, so I'll let you know how I enjoy it. Happy reading!
LS
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- The Masters of Rome (series) by Colleen McCullough -- MaryJ, 15:40:24 12/29/09 Tue
Has anyone read these? I just picked up Antony & Cleopatra from the bargain table & thought it looked good. Didn't notice that it's the 7th one in a series! The others are old (1st one is from 1990) - I wonder if they can also be read as stand-alones. I hate reading a series out of order - don't want to miss anything - but don't feel like starting w/number 1. Any one tried these?
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- Id like to know this too because I picked up "Cesear" cheap and have only that one. *G* (NT) -- M&M, 20:05:55 12/29/09 Tue
- Colleen McCullough is one of my favourite authors. I have read all of her books except the Rome series. I tried it but just could not get into it., Too many characters, all ending with "ius"! (NT) -- KarenV, 05:44:01 12/30/09 Wed
- I really liked the early ones, but the series started to falter toward the end. I didn't even bother finishing the last one. My son Kyle, who loves ancient Rome, couldn't get into these books at all. He didn't like her writing style. If this is a time period you might enjoy reading about but don't want to wade through those massive books, may I suggest an historical mystery series by Steven Saylor. They're set at the same time and are a pure pleasure to read. The first book in the series is Roman Blood and the main character is Gordianus the Finder. Kyle raced through these; we both love them. (NT) -- ValerieL, 06:37:48 12/30/09 Wed
- Oh, thanks! I did start it & think that having watched 'Rome' I will do ok with it. She kind of gives a recap at first. I am going to put it away & read a shorter book first though. Just finished 'Wicked' & that was kind of a trudge. Want something a bit quicker this time. (NT) -- MaryJ, 06:24:22 01/04/10 Mon
- Sorry to be the wet blanket but I tried to read one of these (not the first but I'm honestly not sure now which one it was) and I had to force myself, after 50 or so pages I gave up. (NT) -- jayn, 05:03:50 01/11/10 Mon
- If I haven't messed up my Marg's her blog is at Reading Adventures great blog BTW, I use it for new reads all the time. -- Cherie, 11:03:10 12/29/09 Tue
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- The Books I Read in 09 -- susiej, 14:16:50 12/27/09 Sun
I posted in my LiveJournal about my year of reading. Anyone interested can
click here
I'm crossing my fingers that this link works.
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- Shadow Game - Christine Feehan - A Ghostwalker Novel -- Margy, 01:57:26 12/29/09 Tue
I'd give this book a big thumbsup if youre looking for something new. I read it in 2 days, finished it at 10 past 1 this morning, because I couldn't put it down.
It's about a group of elite men who are in training to enhance their psychic powers. Something has gone wrong, and they are isolated in a lab. Their Dr is murdered and his daughter, also psychic, is given the task by her dad as he dies to free them and help them.
Really good, and 4 star sex scenes too *g*
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- Mary Wesley - Harnessing Peacocks -- Margy, 05:39:36 12/14/09 Mon
Anyone ever read any Mary Wesley? I picked this up in a second hand shop, as a change of pace, and really enjoyed it.
Here's the back-cover blurb:-
Hebe listens in the darkness of the hall to a family conference. The stern hypocrisy of her grandfather is winning the day. He has summoned her three horsey sisters' successful husbands and they are discussing Hebes unexpected pregnancy. The decision, unanimous, is that it be terminated. Hebe, dissenting, flees into the night.
Twelve summers later she is living happily alone with her son in a seaside town in Cornwall. He is receiving an expensive education. Hebe has organised her life oddly but well. She has two chief talents in life - cooking and making love - and these she has exercised with dignity, in privacy and for profit.
It is when the separate strands of the web of Hebes life become entangled that the even tenor of her days is threatened, and her life is changed.
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- Echo in the Bone -- Judy, 12:36:57 12/08/09 Tue
I can hardly believe I am saying this but is anyone else having a hard time with the new DG book Echo in the bone?
I am half way through and not enjoying it . It is like reading a text book in many ways. So much history and not enough personal interaction's . I have been such a huge fan for so long and turned so many people on to thise series.
I found the last book really started to be like this too.
Tell me I am not the only one??
thanks
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- You aren't the only one. I'm having to listen to 'Echo' on audiobook just to get through it. So far some parts are wonderful but other parts drag. Her first 4 books were the finest. The last few have not been as easy to read or as enjoyable for me. (NT) -- Carolyn, 04:27:21 12/09/09 Wed
- Keep going. I had some spots that I found easy to skim (history and LJG) I loved the Brea and Roger parts (most of all actually) and enjoyed the Jaime, Claire, Ian, Jenny etc. parts .......but wait til the last 200 pages or so. It's a wild ride!!! (NT) -- AmyGirl, 07:35:27 12/09/09 Wed
- I agree the first four were the best -- Judy, 08:16:38 12/09/09 Wed
- You are definitely not alone. Her brilliance as a writer does shine through several times in the book. However, if the first book was like this I don't think it would have gained a readership, nor would I have finished it. The Outlander magic was lost in this book as a whole. Just my opinion, but many others too.....internet friends and real life friends both. (NT) -- conmama, 11:29:00 12/09/09 Wed
- I don't know for sure what happened, but my guess would be so much time spent on other projects (LJG whom I don't care for at all, and what I call her comic book - the graphic novel). Plus things just tend to get old and stale after a while. I didn't mind the book all that much, but I knew what was going to happen because I read all the postings on Amazon,com and on this forum. I did not care for ABOSAA at all. I would never read that book again. I think the writing is getting in a rut with all the kidnappings, rapes, etc. After a while it is all too unbelievable. (NT) -- Mari L., 11:05:10 12/13/09 Sun
- I have to say I agree. After such a long wait, this one was a letdown. I think that is often the way when a writer's attention becomes diverted into other projects (LJG). The magic of the original seems to disappear. It also seems like she had this behemouth of a book and then had to rush the ending to meet her deadline. I wonder if she ever re-read the whole thing, because it sure doesn't seem like it. There probably wasn't time. Does anyone remember her blog post about her typical day? She has a million and one non-book related things to do as well as trying to write! So it's not surprising, but I hope the next one is more cohesive and less rambling. And I also hope it is the last, because it feels like the Claire and Jamie story has lost some steam. (NT) -- LalaB, 12:33:35 12/10/09 Thu
- I am so glad to read these replies. I was one of the UK Hosers who was overjoyed to be able to get a copy before the UK publishing date. I have had the book since end of September. I finished my other book first, as I was savouring it, looking at it as it lay on my dresser, waiting to be read. I began it at the beginning of November and haven't read 200 pages yet. I'm finding it hard to get into and I'm leaving it for days between reading so have to reread to remind myself where I'm up to. I've been feeling so guilty, thinking it was just me!! (NT) -- Kirsten, 01:40:02 12/11/09 Fri
- It's a funny thing, but I had heard some negative reports on the book, so wasn't looking forward to it in the same way as I had anticipated the others. Well, that worked for me, because I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sometimes we expect too much, just let go of the expectations and enjoy the ride. Lots of loose threads at then end though... (NT) -- Margy, 02:43:43 12/11/09 Fri
- Overall, I enjoyed the book, once I got past the first 200-300 pages. There was waaaaayyyy too much LJG in the first part of the book, almost felt like it was in that series instead of the Jamie and Claire series. But it got better, less LJG, so I'm OK. I was worried, though, for awhile! :-D (NT) -- ScarlettO, 20:27:15 12/20/09 Sun
- I found it confusing at first. I wasn't expecting her to back-track. I thought it would start where ABOSAA ended. I also found that I had to watch dates a lot... it jumped back and forth quite a bit... and I don't mean from the 1980s to the 1700s. It jumped a lot between 1775 & 1776 and back. (NT) -- Piper-Mom, 11:40:32 12/28/09 Mon
- Agreed. I found this book very choppy. -- Big Fan beth, 16:09:41 01/04/10 Mon
- Sadly, really sadly, I have to agree. I've been reading it for weeks now. The others I read practically straight through. (NT) -- Marcia, 16:42:26 01/21/10 Thu
- Echo echo -- Denece, 19:16:01 01/23/10 Sat
- Echo -- Tracy, 06:49:34 02/09/10 Tue
- The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton -- RuthE, 05:21:25 12/10/09 Thu
Not sure if you have already posted about this book but I found it brilliant - it really got me and held me for about a week (trying to work and read is impossible!) I really wanted to know what was going to happen! written from 3 different points of view from 3 different points in time a really good mystery. I have asked santa for her other book!
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- Mad Kestrel by Misty Massey -- susiej, 08:09:33 12/07/09 Mon
This book is absolute page-turning fun! If you like seafaring tales (such as Voyager) and tough women holding their own amidst crowds of condescending men (such as Claire) then you will like Kestrel, quartermaster of the Wolfshead.
The book is labeled a fantasy due to a light touch of magic, but it's no more fantastical than time travel or Claire's mystical healing connection or Jamie's sight. (In my local library, some of DG's books are in the sci fi section). Mad Kestrel is set in an imaginary land but there's no hobbits,dragons or anything like that. It could be our world.
There is a hot guy!!! And he's rougish too. It's well written, well conceived, and well constructed. I never skimmed a single paragraph which hardly EVER happens for me. I even admit to skimming Dorothy Dunnett and I nearly worship her as an author. So, read this book. There's simply nothing to not like about it.
The author is a teacher, wife, mother and belly dancer. She's very approachable and is one of the authors on the Magical Words blog.
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- Still Alice by Lisa Genova -- MaryJ, 10:55:30 11/09/09 Mon
My book club just read this and I had to pass it along. This is a very well written and accurately researched (fictional) story of a woman's journey into Alzheimer's Disease. I couldn't put this book down once I started it. I thought it would be too difficult to read, and though parts were heart breaking, it drew me in and I loved that the story is told only from Alice's point of view. The writer did an amazing job showing the decline in the main character. If you know anyone w/Alzheimer's or you just want to learn about the disease, try this book. It's excellent & a quick read.
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- I hope the only way anyone ever has to learn about this horrible disease is by reading a book. I'm sure this is a good one, but I'm caring for a father who has it and cannot read about it. Another good one, I've heard, is (non-fiction) "The Thirty Six Hour Day", about care-giving. There's one about an Armenian Father (named Mardik) and I heard his daughter speak. The cover showed her dad in color, in better times, smiling, and progressively dimmer ghost images of him receding into the distance. If that doesn't visually capture the essence of "The Long Good-bye", I don't know what does. (NT) -- Lemora, 14:02:27 11/09/09 Mon
- I only wish that I had found this recommendation a year ago. My mom was diagnosed with a slow moving dementia, but had a fall, and then overnight she went from living on her own, to being late stage dementia. We lost her overnight to this disease. We were never able to say goodbye to her, and thought we would have time with her before the devastation set in. Right after her fall, she never knew who we were, where she was, or even who she was. Immediately after the fall she became total care in a nursing care facility. I wish we would have had the time to say what we needed to when we still could have reached her. Now we go every day to the nursing home to feed her, but she doesnt know us. This book will be extremely painful. I would like your opinion = Do you think it will help us at this point? (NT) -- Irene, 11:06:01 11/10/09 Tue
- Still Alice is a book which will stay in your thoughts, especially if you have a family member w/ALZ. I feel the early onset ALZ at a young age must be intensely devestating. There were some things I did not understand in the book close to the end, did her husband hide her Blackberry so she could not follow the plan? My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's last year. I have since moved in with her to stay for as long as she is able to live in her own home. It is a hard thing to watch. Kind of like sand sifting through your fingers and you can not stop the sand even if you close your hand.I would urge people to read this book. (NT) -- lochala, 18:41:10 11/29/09 Sun
- Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom -- Gina-C (), 18:28:13 12/06/09 Sun
Very uplifting and enjoyable tale that is a true story. I listened to the audio version and was pleased that the author is also the narrator. It is a short story based on his interviews with his rabbi and also a former prisoner/turned pastor in a Detroit church. It has a little humor and is nicely written so that it always holds your interest. It is not ultra religious, in fact the author almost approaches the topic as an agnostic. I found this short story to have a very positive message and would suggest it to anyone.
Last edited by author: Sun December 06, 2009 18:29:52
Edited 1 time.
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- I read a book earlier this year - it was recommended here - and can't find it again. I want to say the title was something like 'Furney'????? It was about a man who has lived multiple lives in England as both men and women. It was wonderful and had a surprise ending that I adored. Anybody remember it? -- CathyS, 11:57:20 11/01/09 Sun
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- Lady of the Forest by Jennifer Roberson -- Sorcha, 13:47:46 12/02/09 Wed
This book was originally published in 1992, and was re-released with a trashy Fabio-inspired cover in trade paperback somewhat recently. Nothing against bodice rippers, but I outgrew them years ago. What got me to pick this one up is the fact that it was right next to Lady of the Glen, with a tartan clad shirtless hero and his redheaded woman on the cover, alongside a quote from none other than our own Diana, stating "A marvelous tale. Bold and vivid." Considering that these were both bargain books, at $3.99 each I figured I would give them a go, since the back covers didn't suggest they were the kind of books that the front cover portrayed.
From the back cover of Lady of the Forest:
The legend of Robin Hood and Maid Marian has existed for centuries. Bot only Jennifer Roberson's masterful pen gives this beloved tale new life as Marian of Ravenskeep chooses her destiny...
IN A LAND WITHOUT HONOR-
With her king a captive and her coffers drained, England is left in turmoil during the Crusades. After the death of her father in the Holy Land, Lady Marian of Ravenskeep finds herself alone- and at the mercy of men vying for her lands and beauty. Thrust into games of political intrigue, the sheltered knight's daughter soon learns to trust no one...
THOSE WITH NOBLE HEARTS WILL FIND EACH OTHER...
Afforded a hero's homecoming, Sir Robert of Locksley returns from the Crusades a shattered man. In a country he barely recognizes, one torn apart by treachery and betrayal, he finds in Marian a kindred soul. Their quest for justice will take them into the depths of Sherwood Forest, where the dream of a new England will be born...
This is a lovely fat novel, almost 600 pages in trade paperback size. I loved all of the personal background she gives of the characters, even ones we dislike. The author writes in first person from each character at times, and its done in such a way that you understand the motivations they all have without being confusing to the reader. Lady Marian is the primary teller of the story, and it's wonderful to see that she is portrayed in a very believable medieval way, to defer to men and not be able to make her own choices, until circumstances put her in a position where she has to grow up and stand up for herself. Robin is wracked with guilt over the Crusade, as well as having suffered in captivity himself, and we as readers are given direct looks at his PTSD, and can understand just why he cannot assimliate himself back into a simple life of nobility.
This was an absolutely wonderful read... a good look at life in that time as well as being a quick paced, edge of my seat, cannot put it down story. I can seriously put it on the same level as Outlander for love of the main characters and exciting storyline. The author herself in the notes admits she was not so concerned with exacting historical accuracy, since we are dealing with legends there really isn't any and she wanted to write a good story about them. I am in complete agreement that she did! I just ordered the sequel, Lady of Sherwood, from Amazon yesterday.
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- The Wee Mad Road: A Midlife Escape to the Scottish Highlands by Jack and Barabara Maloney -- FloraMac, 04:11:49 12/01/09 Tue
Did you ever want to chuck it all and run away to the Highlands? That's exactly what Jack and Barabara Maloney did in 1982 when they moved to the Coigach peninsula. They spent 2 years there, living and working. This is a wonderful snapshot of a place in time and the people who lived there.
This was one of my favorite bits of the North west coast on our travels this summer, and we went to many of the places in the book including the local pub! The book was recommended to us by Midge and Peter the owners of the B&B where we stayed in Polbain--they are friends with Jack and Barbara and Peter is even in the book! I was a bit skeptical as it is self published, but I am really enjoying it (almost finished--dh read it and really enjoyed it as well, which I didn't expect!) It includes some of Barbara's journal entries and her paintings and drawings, which really add to the narrative.
So, of course, much has changed since 1982, but so much of that area is still wild and wonderful and achingly beautiful. I highly recommend this book to this crowd! :)
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- A Song in the Daylight by Paullina Simons -- Janelle N, 01:10:36 11/15/09 Sun
Paullina is touring Australia at the moment (I am seeing her in Perth this Wednesday) so I thought I’d give her new book a read before attending. It’s a story about Larissa, a 40year old married mother of 3, entering into an adulterous relationship with a much younger man (& it’s consequences to her/family & friends). The story is set in New Jersey, Manila and outback Australia.
I experienced a rollercoaster ride of emotions and the ending has left me feeling a little hollow. I much prefer her historical fiction/romance writing – The Bronze Horseman saga is my favourite series of books after the Outlander series.
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- Not the Usual Form of Recommendation but a Recommendation None the Less -- susiej, 14:50:25 11/22/09 Sun
This is only place I could post this and know people would understand.
I am such a GOOSE! Couple of posts ago, I said how much I was loving Juliet Marillier's Bridei Chronicles and I am still. However, I replied to one person that I was sort of disappointed with the second book, Well of Shades. Well, guess what?! Its the 3rd book! Stupid me- I read them out of order. No wonder I felt a little like what-the-heck happened to the MC and why a certain event I had been looking very forward to (his, ahem, deflowering)had just been passed over and done with.
Can you imagine reading Voyager w/out DIA and missing all that? The only thing I can say is Marillier is a dang good author if I still stayed interested and could even understand the story. I was sort of wondering a few times when they'd mention this one guy- gee, that sounded like a good story- why didn't we get to see that part? (excuse me while I go bang my head on wall)
I finished Well of Shades the other night and as usual when I love a book I hang on to for a while after the end, touching it, reading acknowldegments and such trying to make it not be the end. And that's when I happened to see The Third Book in the Bridei Chronicles printed right across the front cover that I had looked at- oh, probably a dozen times (more headbanging).
So, go, enjoy these books- in order. Dark Mirror, Blade of Fortriu and Well of Shades. Let me know someone gets it right.
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- LOL, oh susiej, that sounds exactly like something I would do. And I would likely make excuses for not 'remembering' the characters, rather than thinking I had not read about them, lol. I will likely be looking for a new series in the New Year so will keep this author in mind. (NT) -- Keira, 19:22:34 11/22/09 Sun
- Stop hitting your head into the wall Susie! :) They should have had Third Book written in really large print on the cover! (NT) -- HollyC, 05:54:38 11/23/09 Mon
- I think that there should be a rule that any book in a series says "This is the second (third, fourth, etc.....) book in the [insert series' name] series of books! I spend so much time in the library trying to figure out which is what. Fantasticfiction.com helps, but still, the publishers could help us out a little. (NT) -- Rebeccab, 16:21:19 11/23/09 Mon
- poor susie! I've read Dark Mirror, but haven't gone further, just due to circumstances. Know I know to look for Blade before Well....I hate reading out of order. I actually had a copy of DIA for about a year that held onto until I could pick up O at the used book store. (NT) -- FloraMac, 04:58:23 11/24/09 Tue
- I almost read DOA before Voyager. Can you imagine how confusing that would have been if I hadn't have caught myself? But I might not have noticed right away, judging by how confused I was by the 20-year (or 220-year) gap between the close of Outlander and the start of Dragonfly in Amber. (NT) -- Lynn H., 13:41:56 11/28/09 Sat
- I would like to recommend The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Its a French novel that is well translated. The author is a professor of philosophy and the book is full of ideas, humanity and beauty. It has two female narrators: one a 54 year old concierge of the ritzy apartment building that the other, a 12 year old genius lives. Both are closet intellectuals. The girl has decided to commit suicide on her 13th birthday unless she can find something in the world (an idea, a perfect movement, a truth) that would make life worthwhile. The story is a beautiful picture of friendship, love and all the good things in life. The audio book is amazing as well. -- DawnW., 17:37:34 11/25/09 Wed
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- New Stephen King - is anyone else eagerly awaiting this which is due out next week? 1000plus pages in what seems to be a blockbuster of a book. Amazon is amazingly selling it for $9, thought at that price, I would grab this massive hardcover. Hopefully I will be able to lift it/ Its called Under The Dome. -- Irene, 08:56:49 11/04/09 Wed
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- Anyone Out There by Marian Keyes -- Conmama, 08:30:34 10/30/09 Fri
I'm not one that enjoys reading books with female protaganists in contemporary settings, but I make an exception to this book. It is heartbreaking and filled with unbelievable humor at the same time. Couldn't put it down, it was my first Marian Keyes book.
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- I enjoyed that one as well. My DD describes her work as very good 'chick lit'. I've got another to read (Sushi for Beginners) but can't seem to get into it. (NT) -- Kirsten, 03:57:21 10/31/09 Sat
- Did you know this is the fourth in a series? The other each deal with a different sister. They are Watermelon, Rachel's Holiday and Angels. (NT) -- TanyaB, 19:12:09 10/31/09 Sat
- I think I've read everuthing from Keyes that our library has to offer. I really enjoy her writing style. Very funny. If you liked Bridget Jones, you'll love Keyes' style of writing. (NT) -- TheresaSt., 13:21:34 11/01/09 Sun
- Marian Keyes is my favorite "chick lit" author, though I think she goes way deeper and darker than the typical chick lit. She is very Irish in her writing...quirky humor and dark subjects, but I always laugh out loud and am held captive by her stories. Sushi for Beginners was my lesser favorite, though I didn't not like it. My favorites of hers are Anybody Out There, Rachel's Holiday, and Last Chance Saloon. You should definitely read the whole series that came before Anybody Out There...it's great! The audio CDs are very good, too. (NT) -- Reilly, 05:14:51 11/02/09 Mon
- Marion Keys is definitely my 2nd favourite author. I have read every word she has written, I think, and love all of it. Just bought her most recent "The Brightest Star in the Sky", so far just as good. The family series (Watermelon etc) is very good, best read in order but not strictly necessary - I love the mother. "Anybody Out There" made me cry. (NT) -- jayn, 05:40:06 11/25/09 Wed
- Historical, Sara Donati, The Endless Forest -- AprilDB, 10:17:15 09/23/09 Wed
This is the newest book in the Into the Wilderness series. I just found out that it will be released in January. I thought that many people who frequent this site would likely be fans of this series as well. In fact Claire and Jamie get make a guest appearance in this series.
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- Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time Series -- CarolE, 08:15:55 11/05/09 Thu
If you enjoyed The Lord of the Ring you WILL enjoy this series. "The peaceful villagers of Emond's Field pay little heed to rumors of war in the western lands until a savage attack by troll-like minions of the Dark One forces three young men to confront a destiny which has its origins in the time known as The Breaking of the World." From that start in Book 1 to this in the newest, book 12 "The Gathering Storm": "Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle, looms. And mankind is not ready.
"The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow."
"New Spring: The Novel" is a prequel to the series. Had I known this I probably would have read it first.
"The World of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time" is a companion book that explains lots of history and what each of the fantastical creatures are. It doesn't advance the story but is a great book that explains lots of things. At the end of each book in the series is a glossary that comes in handy. Unless you have a much better memory than I do you may want to take notes on peoples names...or not. I didn't do this the first time thru but on re-reading book 1 I did and it has helped me in my re-read of book 11 in preparation to jump into the newest. The good news? There will be 2 more books!!!!! I hope you find and enjoy this series as much as I have.
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- Thanks Carol. I've heard talk of this series but didn't know exactly what it was. Now, I'll look into it. If you are interested, Tor publishing has a book discussion website and they just did and maybe are still doing WOT rereads. I love their LOTR rereads- these people really know fantasy. I link to the website through twitter but I think its tor.com (NT) -- susiej, 09:34:46 11/05/09 Thu
- These books are almost as addictive as DG's! And there are 12 of them to keep you busy while DG writes! (NT) -- sshivers, 11:39:42 11/05/09 Thu
- I absolutely love these books, I just mentioned The Gathering Storm a couple of posts below. I want to buy it NOW, but I need to wait for the paperback, to go with all my others - nearly 1 whole shelf on an Ikea Billy Bookcase. There is a prequel too, called New Spring, which gives us some history on 2 of the central characters. (NT) -- Margy, 13:36:58 11/05/09 Thu
- Yep-love the series but find them a teeny bit more gory than LOTR. :-) (NT) -- Keira, 19:27:03 11/05/09 Thu
- Would this be good for 13 year old DS? He's read The Belgariad series by David & Leigh Eddings and enjoyed it, but they are pretty PG13. And honestly, I am big into SF/Fantasy but never enjoyed LoTR books as much as the movies... so if these are similar, might not work for him. Thanks! (NT) -- MaryC in KY, 07:37:04 11/06/09 Fri
- And that is another series I thoroughly enjoyed. I should think he'd be fine with these, if he has the staying power for 13 plus books. Only book one is a standalone book, the rest just tantalise and tease you into wanting to get to find out just what is going on. (NT) -- Margy, 12:07:50 11/06/09 Fri
- My son is 14 and he has been reading this series for a year or so. Really not much adult content until book 10 and by the time he gets there he will be old enough! lol (NT) -- sshivers, 06:46:40 11/09/09 Mon
- I just finished a 4 book fantasy series that I think teenage boys might like, as the main character starts as a young boy, son of a Prince, on his way to a military academy where he makes life long friends. There's betrayal, exile, a pirate fleet, battles, Viking like invaders and over the course of the 4 books everyone grows up. The first book is Inda by Sherwood Smith. Its one of the most completely realized fantasy worlds I've read in awhile, I loved them. (NT) -- HollyC, 15:11:00 11/09/09 Mon
- Carol, I want to ask you a question about the Bridei Chronicles and Well of Shades in Particular>>> -- susiej, 10:39:52 11/08/09 Sun
- Historical fiction, Donna Woolfolk Cross 'Pope Joan' -- MonicaW, 08:00:31 11/12/09 Thu
If you like historical fiction, this was a delightful read. It is set in the 9th century and has a strong female lead character.
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- The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier -- susiej, 16:49:45 11/03/09 Tue
I just can't say enough good stuff about this book. If you're a Martin fan, it reminded me of the beginning of Game of Kings, the way the Starks might have lived if all hell hadn't broken loose ontop of them.
However, this is based on fact, set in the Highlands back in Pictish Scotland-druids, faeries, blue tatooed warriors. Remember how Claire says Murtagh had a Pictish face? They were the folk before the Gaels. Yep, the red-heided Gaels are actually the enemy here.
Anyway, its got a great hero. Great heroine. The writing is as compelling as Martin, but not as graphic/brutal. It has that female touch of family and marriage such as DG brings. And the series is done at three. I'm just starting Well of Shades.
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- Thanks for the rec, I'm just scouting around for something new, just finished Echo, and thought I'd be reading A Gathering Storm but it's only out in Hardback, so that has to wait. I love Game of thrones, so this sounds right up my street. (NT) -- Margy, 01:19:19 11/04/09 Wed
- Thank you for posting this. When my external hard drive died I lost ALL my read and TBR lists. I have loved several of her series and couldn't for the life of me remember her name. It's been a couple of years since reading them. (NT) -- CarolE, 06:59:42 11/05/09 Thu
- After realizing what series you were talking about (duh) I have to say these were some of the most wonderful books I've EVER read!! I've read almost all of her books and would recommend them to anyone who loves this type of fantasy. She also has a new book out "Heart's Blood". I believe it is a stand alone. IMHO Juliet Marillier is a "storyteller", the best of all type of writer. (NT) -- CarolE, 08:25:33 11/05/09 Thu
- I have read this series as well as her Sevenwaters series and loved them all I see that book 4 of the Sevenwaters series is out and I must get it. (NT) -- LadyGrace, 08:40:55 11/06/09 Fri
- Thanks susie for this , I do love the Martin books and have been looking for something similar. I will check this out. (NT) -- LisaW, 20:16:39 11/08/09 Sun
- The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski -- JulieO, 17:23:02 10/27/09 Tue
First, it's an Oprah book pick. Second, the main characters are named Edgar, Claude and Trudy (like Gertrude). Ring any bells? Any Danish bells? Paging Shakespeare...
My book club just read this book and discussed it last night. I'd love to hear what anyone else had to say about it.
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