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• Science Fiction (Time Travel) Niffennegger, Audrey "The Time Travellers Wife" -- Lynn L, 00:29:16 01/09/09 Fri
  I read this book some time ago and loved it. Like outlander, it deals with time travel, but really is a very powerful love story. One of the few books that really made me cry. Incidently, the lady in question is also a Claire! I think anyone who loved the Outlander books will love this. I hope so.
  Another one I loved is "Ursula Under" by Ingrid Hill. Not a love story or about time travel, but a wee cracker just the same. Difficult to say exactly what it is about...A little girl falls down a disused mineshaft, but the book is not about that (or i wouldn't have read it). Watching the rescue on TV, some drunk lady comments on the money wasted rescuing 'trailer Trash'(as she lives in a Trailer Park). The story then explores the girls ancestry and takes you on a fascinating journey to many places and times including Finland and ancient China, to demonstrate how this litle girl came to be who she was. I loved it. Along with Outlander series, this book has kind of prompted me to want to look at my own history and ancestry.
  

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  • It seems a lot of people are reading this either for the first time or again in preparation for the movie! I really enjoyed it when I read it a couple of years ago, even though I was crying, big ugly crying, at the end of the book! (NT) -- Marg, 03:17:53 01/09/09 Fri
  • I loved TTW when I read it a few years ago, but I have a hard time recommending it to people b/c of the heartbreaking ending. People either love it or hate it. I fall into the former catergory, but have friends who were angry with the book (and me) because of the ending. (NT) -- TerriC, 06:03:13 01/09/09 Fri
    • I think thats what I liked about it - it didn't follow the normal love story ending, painful though it was. But you were left with some hope in that he could time travel to the future to see her! (NT) -- Lynn l, 07:24:08 01/09/09 Fri
      • Sorry, I am one of those who didn't really like it at all. It certainly didn't evoke any intense respomses from me and I found it more frustrating than anything. But, I won't hold it against any of my friends who do like it, *VBG* (NT) -- Keira, 16:52:03 01/10/09 Sat
    • ... and some people (me) are just luke-warm about that book. It was very emotional and made be cry, but it took me a very long time to get used to the format of the book with all the jumping around. I'll be interested to see how that story translates on film. (NT) -- Gina-C, 06:09:03 01/10/09 Sat
      • I remember from other discussions that I was in the minority when I said that TTW made me feel very uneasy and soiled. Even the cover with the juxtaposition of the man's and the child's shoes bothered me. However, the person to whom I gave it enjoyed the book. So, if we all were the same the world would be a boring place. (NT) -- 'becca beccabee, 08:28:11 01/10/09 Sat
        • That would be ME! Still thanking you . . . it's coming up in my 'to be reread' pile. Looking forward to it! (NT) -- CathyS, 06:40:31 01/11/09 Sun
        • Becca, that's how the book Wicked made me feel. After the first chapter I wanted to get up and take a shower. (NT) -- susiej, 06:48:26 01/13/09 Tue
  • I too LOVED TTW it's wonderful. It's definatly a book that makes your stomach hurt. But all my favs do *G* (NT) -- Cherie, 07:06:05 01/09/09 Fri
  • Absolutely one of my favourites - I'm due for a reread before the movie comes out. Not sure how they can portray this book in a movie. (NT) -- Rhiann, 09:39:18 01/09/09 Fri
    • I am not sure how it is going to translate into a movie either really. (NT) -- Marg, 14:41:21 01/09/09 Fri
  • I loved TTW too. I think I cried more with that book than any other, the characters really got to me and the love story was very touching. I'd like to re-read it, but I haven't mustered the courage for reasons obvious to those who have read it already. (NT) -- LT (Denise), 17:24:50 01/09/09 Fri
  • I liked this book. I didn't love it. I enjoyed the unusual story and thought it was very well done. I cried buckets at the end... but after that, it didn't stay with me the way my absolute favorites do. I do wonder how they will make a good movie out of this without oversimplifying it past the point of recognition. (NT) -- Lynn H., 14:35:23 01/10/09 Sat
  • I really liked the book too, very intriguing, but I didn't Love it. I gave it to my friend that got me hooked on Outlander, and we like the same types of books - and she hated it. I was rather put off about that at the time. Then I just started thinking how it is kind of funny how you think you know what friends will like but everyone is different. (NT) -- Brenda W, 04:48:43 01/12/09 Mon
    • a friend gave it to me becaue she really liked it- she gave it to two of us and both of us secretly hated it and only read it to please her. I mean I thought the time travel idea was intriguing but I didn't care much for the characters. Henry was OK- Clair I disliked. (NT) -- susiej, 06:46:55 01/13/09 Tue
      • susiej>>>>>> -- 'becca beccabee, 15:24:23 01/14/09 Wed
        • most likely you're right and then>>> -- susiej, 07:54:07 01/16/09 Fri
          • 'becca and Susiej>>> -- Lemora, 13:38:01 01/25/09 Sun
  
  

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• Skeletons at the Feast - Chris Bohjalian -- astrokath, 01:28:43 01/18/09 Sun
  This book is set at the end of WWII and follows a Prussian family as they flee from the oncoming Russian Army. The mother, 18 yo daughter and young son are accompanied by the Scottish (red headed!) POW who had been working on their farm, and on the way meet a German Wehrmacht corporal who is helpful to them. This story is interwoven with the story of a young French Jewish woman who has been sent to the work camps, and the backstory of the German.
  The author gives a good feeling for the difficulties the refugees face, and of the awful conditions for the Jews. The Prussian/Polish dilemma isn't a part of the war I have come across in a book before, and was I interested in the history, as the story apparently has its basis in truth.
  

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  • I really liked "Midwives" by the same author - thanks for the info about this book, it sounds really interesting. (NT) -- Rhiann, 05:01:15 01/18/09 Sun
  • I had this out of the library to listen to, but needed to return it because I couldn't extend it any further. I must reborrow it. (NT) -- Marg, 12:20:14 01/18/09 Sun
  • Thanks for the heads up. He is a great writer. (NT) -- Brookita, 01:11:40 01/22/09 Thu
  
  

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• Earth's Children, by Jean M. Auel -- Lady Stormwing, 18:15:28 01/17/09 Sat
  I'm sure these books have been reccommended before, so I won't go into detail about how much I've been enjoying them (enjoying again, rather. I'm on a re-read). I was wondering though- has anyone heard when the sixth book is coming out? I haven't been able to find a webpage for Auel, which is unusual in this day and age. It's been 7 years since "Shelters of Stone" was released, so one would think that the next one would be coming out soon, but I can't find any info. Have any of you ladies found anything?
  

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  • Maybe she got married again. (NT) -- Lemora, 18:31:36 01/17/09 Sat
  • Please visit ECfans.com for info, message boards, and more regarding Auel's books. (NT) -- Joanne, 20:28:11 01/17/09 Sat
    • thank you! (NT) -- Lady Stormwing, 06:49:01 01/18/09 Sun
      • You are very welcome! I, too, am currently rereading Clan of the Cave Bear and enjoying it very much. I plan on reading through the whole EC series as I wait for Echo this year. (NT) -- Joanne, 09:33:32 01/18/09 Sun
  • Wasn't there about a ten year gap before Shelters of Stone came out? (NT) -- Marg, 00:32:35 01/18/09 Sun
  • I recall the rumours that Auel had died and that's why there was such a long wait for the last book. It's been a long time waiting, for sure! (NT) -- LT (Denise), 16:04:38 01/18/09 Sun
  • DO YOU KNOW if they are available on CDs? My SOS recommended them to me over xmas holiday and said she really enjoyed listening to them on tape. (NT) -- Mitzi, 18:51:33 01/21/09 Wed
  
  

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• Have you read A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas? -- 'becca beccabee, 06:55:23 01/16/09 Fri
  This is Ms. Thomas's memoir of her life after a catastrophic accident robs her dear husband Rich of most of the two frontal lobes of his brain.
  
  Instead of being a grisly, morbid, downer of a book, A Three Dog Life is full of joy and grace, a tribute to the strength and love in a marriage and how it can survive even a terrible tragedy.
  
  After his initial recovery period Rich is confined to a facility for Traumatic Brain Injury patients in upstate New York. The book is a narrative of how the relationship between Abigail and Rich survives and how profoundly it is changed without the love and commitment dying.
  
  The "three dog life" refers to Abigail's three dogs, Harry the Beagle, Rosie the wiener dog/Whippet cross and Carolina the hound. They sustain her and fill her new life with joy and comfort.
  
  Truly an excellent book by a woman who has been way rocked by misfortune.
  

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  • Haven 't read this becca, but I did finally respond to you below. (NT) -- susiej, 07:55:04 01/16/09 Fri
    • Thanks! I went down and read it. (NT) -- 'b, 11:09:26 01/16/09 Fri
  • Susiej, I read your 12/23 post. Very cool! So are you closer to getting your work published? Your a gal after my own heart! Best of luck!! (NT) -- P, 09:06:04 01/16/09 Fri
    • Thanks P! (NT) -- susiej, 13:04:34 01/16/09 Fri
    • Susie, just popped in here for a moment...have you gone to AgentQuery.com? Put YA in for search parameters and you should get a ton of agents that represent YA. And also, in a Surrey panel in 2007, there were YA agents, editors, publishers...and when I asked how edgy is edgy in YA, they all agreed that there's no limit. Send a query to Michael Bourret for your book and see what he thinks. Fingers crossed for you! (NT) -- JulieO, 09:52:38 01/17/09 Sat
      • oh thanks, Julie. I will look into that. I did query an agent who requested my first 3 chapter and is supposedly reading them though I've heard nothing back and she claims to respond to every one. My finger nails are nearly chewed off. I don't wait well, and I like to have a new "hope" in place, so i'll look into Bourret, he's one I don't yet know. Thanks again. BTW, if any of you are interested I have posted on our wonderful Lallyland Lit Forum- you might need to go through archives to find my novel passages but there are also other of "our" writers on there. (NT) -- susiej, 08:55:02 01/18/09 Sun
        • I sent out 21 queries in August - just heard from some of them the first week in January. Ahh, publishing! Congrats on the request for chapters - that's a big deal! I got my first request for full about a week or so ago after sending her the first three in October! Can't wait to hear about your success! (NT) -- JulieO, 09:52:36 01/19/09 Mon
  • Sounds interesting and I can totally see how her pets sustain her through her tragedy. Sorry to be pessimistic but I wonder if the tables had been turned, would her DH have stuck it out with her? (NT) -- P., 09:09:57 01/16/09 Fri
    • I am thinking he would - I don't want to do spoilers, but I can say that he remains very in tune to her life in spite of his disabilities. (NT) -- 'b, 11:07:47 01/16/09 Fri
  • 'becca, haven't read this one, but another similar book is "Tumbling After" by Susan Parker. She and her husband were my neighbors up north. Their lives were upended when he was hit-and-runned in the Berkeley Hills on his bicycle. He emerged from this a quadruplegic and the book is about "life after". It's quite a story. Her newspaper columns about their adjustment eventually became a book. I highly recommend it. (NT) -- Lemora, 11:57:40 01/16/09 Fri
    • I just added it to my list. (NT) -- 'b, 12:08:06 01/16/09 Fri
  
  

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• What is the best book you've read this year? -- Cherie, 08:59:57 11/21/08 Fri
  
  
  I'm in need of some new books and I don't know what I'm after.
  
  I'm just finishing Kushiel's Dart and don't think I'll go on to the next one. I liked it, but I find I'm lost a lot of the time because I've missed the political things. Because it's fantasy I don't know these places or names and I have a hard time following.
  
  I really like CC Humphreys's The French Executioner and The Josephine Trilogy. LOVED Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series, but I have to wait for the new one to come out in paperback. Wasn't impressed with Philippa Gregory's portral of Elizabeth in The Virgin's Lover.
  
  I need some ideas ladies
  

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  • My best reads of 2008 (so far) are The Host by Stephenie Meyer, The Master of Verona by David Blixt and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Maryann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Special mentions go to The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson, Mudbound by Hilary Jordan, Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn, The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran, Diamond Dove by Adrian Hyland, East of the Sun by Julia Gregson, the two Angelique books I have read by Sergeanne Golon and the Elizabeth Chadwick books that I have read this year (especially The Time of Singing). I hope you didn't just want one book title! (NT) -- Marg, 12:41:47 11/21/08 Fri
    • Is The Host YA like Twilight? I liked it, but my vampires have to have sex *G* and I have enough teenage angist in my house without reading about too. Thanks for the list, I used to read alot of Chadwick, I think it's time to check her out again (NT) -- Cherie, 08:44:26 11/24/08 Mon
      • "The Host" isn't rated as YA, but if anything, it's more tame than "Twilight". Nothing "hot", that's for sure. (NT) -- LT (Denise), 11:49:04 11/24/08 Mon
        • It doesn't have to have sex in it as long as it's good story. I just didn't continue with the Twilight series cause it was about teenagers. Like I said I have enough of it in my own house (NT) -- Cherie, 09:11:17 11/25/08 Tue
  • I finally got Robin Hobb's Asassin books and really enjoyed them. I am reading the Fool's trilogy now. If I would have known that Fitz was in them I would have bought them sooner. After that I can't remember anything that stands out. (NT) -- Toddles, 13:14:09 11/21/08 Fri
    • Robin Hobbs is right up there in my favorite author list! (NT) -- MaryJ, 08:16:19 11/22/08 Sat
      • I have heard of these before, I'll put them on my list (NT) -- Cherie, 09:11:48 11/25/08 Tue
        • They are very good - read them in order (Assassain's Apprentice first). Also - a wonderful book by Carlos Ruiz Zafone is 'The Shadow of the Wind' (NT) -- MaryJ, 09:55:12 11/28/08 Fri
          • I am very much looking forward to the new Carlos Ruiz Zafon book which should be out in English next year! I loved Shadow of the Wind (NT) -- Marg, 12:42:31 11/28/08 Fri
          • I loved both of these series. (NT) -- FranS, 15:11:10 11/29/08 Sat
  • Best books I've read this year are The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde,andTwilight by Stephanie Meyer. Best re-reads are Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card (NT) -- LalaB, 17:23:26 11/21/08 Fri
  • Cherie, "Blood Ties" is the sequel to "The French Executioner" so you might want to try that one, and Peggy recommends "Vlad - The Last Confession" by Humphreys. I have the book (signed by Chris in Surrey) but haven't read it yet. I really enjoyed the trilogy by Patricia Finney set in Elizabethan times (Firedrakes' Eye, Unicorn's Blood, Gloriana's Torch). I reveals a very gritty side to the times. (NT) -- Denise, 18:01:47 11/21/08 Fri
    • Vlad is on my list, I will check out Blood Ties too. (NT) -- Cherie, 06:58:58 11/24/08 Mon
  • A Game of Thrones by RR Martin - excellent, I'm on book 3 now, but I've been reading others in between. I really enjoyed Kusiels Dart and Kusiels Chosen, still need to get the third one. Oh Oh, Best Book this year for me BY A MILE was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - brilliant!!! (NT) -- Margy, 06:30:46 11/22/08 Sat
    • I am reading both these series too, A Game of Thrones and Kusiel's Dart. I love the characters in TGOT alot, they are really interesting. (NT) -- LisaW, 14:02:28 11/24/08 Mon
  • Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Can't remember the author's name - sorry. (NT) -- Maggie, 10:39:08 11/22/08 Sat
    • Lisa See. What an incredible book. (NT) -- ladyphantom, 09:21:27 11/24/08 Mon
  • Cherie, I finished a book on the way to Surrey and I needed one for the way home, I bought "The Virgin Lover" at the airport, was very disappointed in it! I just finisshed it the other day, it just sat and sat at the end. I did read "The Last Wife of Henry the VIII" on the way too, I forget who wrote it, and that was pretty good. As far as the best for the year, kinda sad, but I cant even think of one. (NT) -- M&M (), 11:35:12 11/22/08 Sat
    • My favorite by her is "The Queen's Fool". It's about a Jewish female, which was a very dangerous thing to be during those times. (NT) -- FranS, 15:13:23 11/29/08 Sat
  • I loved A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander, City Dog by Alison Pace & The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. (NT) -- Lynn H., 13:26:11 11/22/08 Sat
  • I second 'The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society' as my favourite read this year - tears one page and laughter the next, poignant and charming. Also was absolutely riveted to 'Midwives' by Chris Bohjalian, couldn't put it down. Of the others mentioned above I also loved The Book Thief, Jasper Ffordes' Thursday Next series and Robin Hobbs' Assassin books. (NT) -- Rhiann, 05:27:02 11/23/08 Sun
  • The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop. The titles are Daughter of the Blood, Heir to the Shadows, and Queen of the Darkness. COULD NOT put them down! (NT) -- Sorcha, 14:35:33 11/23/08 Sun
    • I've actually read alot of her books, The Black Jewels are her best. You should check out the The Invisible Ring. It's really good too. (NT) -- Cherie, 06:44:30 11/24/08 Mon
      • Cherie, have you read Tangled Webs, and if so what did you think of it? (NT) -- Marg, 12:10:43 11/24/08 Mon
        • No I haven't. Should I check it out. Is it part of the Jewels? (NT) -- Cherie, 09:13:42 11/25/08 Tue
          • Yes, it is related to the Black Jewels books, and there is going to be another one next year as well. I have Tangled Webs here but I haven't read it yet. (NT) -- Marg, 03:38:01 11/26/08 Wed
  • Cherie, I am LOVING House of Niccolo by Dunnett. If you've tried Lymond and didn't care for it, I can say that this series is much easier to read and the character much easier to "get." It starts a little slow but is well worth the wait. I haven't finished the series but I do think it will end up being one of my absolute favorites, ever. Dunnett wrote this series after Lymond, and I think she had changed as a writer somewhat. There's more explicit sex scenes, more often, for one thing *g*. (NT) -- susiej (), 07:57:34 11/24/08 Mon
    • Is the 1st one Niccolo Rising? I actually have that book (for the past 7 or so years *G*) I thought I needed to read Lymond 1st. Which I have tried again and again. I'll pull it out and give it a shot. Can't pass up good sex *G* (NT) -- Cherie, 08:40:35 11/24/08 Mon
      • Dunnett said to read Lymond first, but I don't know why. Niccolo actually predated Lymond. I do hope you'll try. If you don't love Niccolo by the end of the second book, I'll be surprised. By the third now I am hopeless. You know he's naughtier than Jamie could ever be but still a hero. (NT) -- susiej, 11:07:39 11/25/08 Tue
    • I've got the whole Niccolo series but have put off reading it thinking it would be an emotional roller coaster ride like Lymond, and I have to be prepared for that! I also thought it would get confusing to read Niccolo on my own while discussing Lymond on S&S. Sex scenes is a real draw though! I so much wanted to "see" more of Lymond in that regard! (NT) -- LT (Denise), 11:56:32 11/24/08 Mon
      • There's more humor too and we really get to know Niccolo more than Lymond, although in true Dunnett style, she keeps us in the dark a lot. This series seems more relaxed than Lymond, but the pace is fast and furious as usual. I think it would be helpful to read this series first as it's much easier to get into. Don't let the character list at the beginning put you off, she reminds you of who they are. (NT) -- FranS, 15:09:46 11/29/08 Sat
  • The Red Tent (NT) -- Lisa, 09:11:56 11/24/08 Mon
  • Molokai. I mentioned it before, so I won't belabor it, but I will say that is among the top five books I have ever read. (NT) -- 'becca beccabee, 17:15:09 11/24/08 Mon
  • Twilight is the best book I've read this year. I enjoyed the rest of the series, but I liked Twilight enough that I read it a second time. (NT) -- ladyphantom, 12:27:00 11/25/08 Tue
  • The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Peel Pie Society by Mary Shaffer wins for me too. Loved Devil's Brood, Sharon Kay Penman's latest, The Book Thief, and a lovely little novella called The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. (NT) -- astrokath, 02:27:19 11/26/08 Wed
    • Hi Astrokath, I just ordered The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Peel Society and The Uncommon Reader to give to my Mum for Christmas. They both look interesting and enjoyable. And of course, I'll have to borrow them after Mum reads them, lol. (NT) -- Keira, 18:20:36 11/27/08 Thu
  • A Thousand Spendid Suns. It's a beautiful book that every woman should read. It makes you appreciate the freedoms women have in the western world. (NT) -- albion, 13:21:11 12/02/08 Tue
    • I loved ATSS. Housseni is a beautiful writer. I can't wait for his next book. (NT) -- ladyphantom, 14:36:40 12/04/08 Thu
  • Best book I read this year? Through A Glass Darkly, and Now Face to Face by Karleen Koen. They go together, and take place in early 1700's England. A beautifully written love story about a young coutier coming of age in the height of the south sea bubble. 700+ pages each. I cried my eyes out at the end. p.s. These books are recommended on Diana's wedsite. (NT) -- Rachel Smith (Avid), 08:27:09 01/18/09 Sun
  
  

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• The Other Queen by Phillipa Gregory. -- Terr C, 07:29:13 01/11/09 Sun
  The books chronicles three years of Mary Queen of Scots' captivity in England. The story shifts POV between Mary and her "captors," Bess and George Talbot. Bess and George are in their early 40s and newly-married when Queen Elizabeth appoints them guardians of the Scots Queen. Housing her almost bankrupts them and her presence drives a wedge between them that can never be healed. I've enjoyed other Gregory novels and this was a "must have" on my Christmas list, but I never warmed to any of the main characters. Bess is a shrew, Mary is shallow and George is clueless and too good to be true. The ending skips ahead 15 years to Mary's execution, with no mention of the intervening years. The topic was interesting, but I was hugely disapponted. Anyone else read this?
  

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  • I haven't read this book, but the Outlander books have triggered an interest to read historical novels. Although fictional in essence, much is based on factual material, and you get a fair bit of information about historical periods and events. Better than History at school with the dry facts. (NT) -- Lynn L, 08:54:38 01/11/09 Sun
  • I'm reading this now and having a hard time getting into it. Like you, I just can't warm up to any of the characters. I know I'll finish it, eventually, so I'm hoping my opinions change. (NT) -- Lady Stormwing, 08:55:39 01/11/09 Sun
  • I agree - by half way through, I was thinking 'off with her head already' to put me out of my misery! (NT) -- astrokath, 11:00:22 01/11/09 Sun
  • Yep! Another disappointed reader here. I thought that she couldn't decide what her subject really was, that it was repetitive and just plain boring. (NT) -- Marg, 01:11:18 01/12/09 Mon
  • Thanks for the tip, I'll take it off my list. The other one of her books I was very dissapointed with was "The Virgins Lover" I really didn't like her portrail of Elizabeth. (NT) -- Cherie, 06:51:33 01/12/09 Mon
    • I didnt care for that one either. Loved The Other Boleyn Girl and The Boleyn Inheritence. (NT) -- M&M, 12:47:11 01/13/09 Tue
  • Was very interested in this. Seen many of Phillipas books at the bs, they look intriguing. I saw the movie, “The Other Bolyn Girl” based on Phillipas novel but was really disappointed with the portrayal of Anne’s relationship with Henry the 8th. After the passionate relationship between the two of them in the Tudors, it just didn’t compare. I read the first chapter of Mary Queen of Scotland & the Isles – by Margaret George at the bookstore ( I could live there) it was haunting. If you are interested in Mary, that may be a good one! (NT) -- P., 10:27:27 01/12/09 Mon
    • I have read the Margaret George book and did like it. I loved the book "The Other Bolyn Girl", and the movie was very good. It's so hard to compare a 2 hour movie with a weekly series. I just finished watching season 1 of the Tudors (xmas present) I loved it!!! I'm going out to buy season 2 (NT) -- Cherie, 12:18:41 01/12/09 Mon
      • Still want to read The Other Bolyn Girl, and then The Bolyn Inheritance, did you read that yet? Season 2 is even better!! (NT) -- P, 13:04:06 01/12/09 Mon
        • I haven't read Inheritance yet, but it's on the list *G* (what isn't) I'm watching season 1 again, I might pick up season 2 this weekend. (NT) -- Cherie, 06:45:17 01/13/09 Tue
        • I should warn you that The Other Bolyn Girl movie is quite a bit different from the book. In the book, Mary and Anne are more fleshed out characters. (NT) -- RisaB, 09:13:15 01/13/09 Tue
          • What do you mean by "more fleshed out"? I'm not familiar with this phrase. ;0) (NT) -- P., 16:36:44 01/13/09 Tue
            • In the book, there is more character development. You understand more why Mary, Anne, Henry, and the other characters do what they do. It's not much more, but she does a better job than the movie. (NT) -- RisaB, 23:04:05 01/14/09 Wed
              • Understood, thanks! (NT) -- P, 07:08:20 01/15/09 Thu
      • Dont you love it! Im just finishing up Remington Steele and The Tudors Season 2 is next on my list. (NT) -- M&M, 12:48:08 01/13/09 Tue
        • Yes! Love the Tudors. While we are still on this subject, historical fiction, I read Elizabeth I, Red Rose of the House of Tudor. The Royal Diaries series. Its more a childrens book but I found it delighfully decriptive of life in the Kings Court. It is told diary style from Elizabeth’s POV. From their frozen fingers in the castle classroom in winter, to their beautiful constellation costumes at Halloween and her take on her father’s murder of her mother; I didn't want it to end. (NT) -- P., 17:11:18 01/13/09 Tue
          • The Tudors is great!!! I love it. I can't wait to see season 2 (NT) -- Cherie, 07:05:48 01/14/09 Wed
  • Phillipa Gregory seems to get it right ..or not sometimes. I really enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl and found the movie disappointing in comparison. On the other hand Earthly Joys & The Virgin Earth based on the life of royal gardener John Tradescant were interesting books but I found the characters cold and not particularly likeable. It's hard to really enjoy a book when you don't REALLY engage with the characters isn't it. I suppose that is the special skill that some authors have, they create characters that many different people can relate to (and become your 'friends'). (NT) -- Rhiann, 16:25:44 01/12/09 Mon
    • Indeed! (NT) -- P., 17:38:36 01/12/09 Mon
  • I would recommend The Constant Princess by Gregory, about Catherine of Aragon and her marriage first to Arthur and, after he dies, to Henry VIII. Catherine's character was well-developed and Henry is shown as a boy of 11 when she enters the English court. He grows to an awkward tenaager who, after much controversy, marries his dead brother's wife. (That was considered a sin if the first marriage had been consummated, so Catherine insisted that it never had been.) It was interesting and a fun read - good plot, likeable characters, some history thrown in. That's why The Other Queen was such a disappoinment. My first and only other Gregory experience had been a good one. (NT) -- Terri C, 05:59:17 01/13/09 Tue
    • Excellent! Thanks! (NT) -- P., 09:07:51 01/13/09 Tue
    • Terri, have you seen The Tudors? Its premise is the story of Henry VIII. It is wickedly beautifull. I did not want to watch it for fear I'd get hooked. I did. (NT) -- P., 09:15:01 01/13/09 Tue
      • I don't have HBO, but intend to rent it on Netflix (gotta love Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon THUD). (NT) -- ladyphantom, 04:54:46 01/14/09 Wed
      • Not yet, P, but you've got me intrigued. I'll have to make a point to watch it On Demand. Thanks for the tip!! (NT) -- Terri, 06:22:36 01/14/09 Wed
      • Renting is definitely the way to go! Do love Cavill! The costumes, jewelry, the backdrop, all spectacular! FYI! It is not for children!! (NT) -- P., 08:37:54 01/14/09 Wed
    • now I didn't get along with that book. Or rather, I loved the first half and was disappointed in the 2nd half and appalled at the ending. I read The Other bolyn Girl and enjoyed it, hated the 1st Wideacre and gave it away without finishing it, and then was disappointed by The Constant Princess. That's the end of me and Ms Gregory, I won't be tempted by her any more. (NT) -- Margy, 14:09:49 01/15/09 Thu
  • Whatever you do, stay away from the Wideacre trilogy. It has to be the most disgusting thing I have ever read. There is nothing appealing in reading a book about an S & M sexual relationship between a brother and sister, who create 2 children. Those two children end up in another incestuous relationship. I don't know what happens after that, I couldn't read anymore. I was actually embarrassed for Phillipa that she wrote such garbage. (NT) -- RisaB, 23:11:24 01/14/09 Wed
    • I picked up a hardcover 1st edition of Wideacre a few years ago at a goodwill for $1. When I finished it I threw it in the GARBAGE. Sacrelige, to book lovers, I know, but I was not about to subject anyone else to that rubbish. Top of my list for WORST book ever read. It was disgusting. (NT) -- Sorcha, 07:03:05 01/17/09 Sat
  
  

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• 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' and 'The Girl Who Played With Fire' by Steig Larsson -- astrokath, 21:49:21 01/10/09 Sat
  These are the first two books of the Millenium trilogy, and the second is not yet available in the US I believe, but is in Australia and the UK. Unfortunately, the author died after delivering the three manuscripts to the publisher, so there won't be any more beyond the trilogy.
  The stories feature one of the owners/reporters of a magazine called Millenium, based in Stockholm. In the first, he is hired to look into the disappearance of a girl over 20 years ago, and this puts him in contact with many interesting characters. The second book involves one of the characters from the first book, and we gradually find out why she is being hunted by a rather nasty man. The way her past is revealed is very well done. The books are mysteries on the surface, but they are very well written and cross over into literature, meaning they may appeal to those who don't usually read mysteries.
  Both are fast paced and full of intrigue, but are quite hard hitting in terms of the 'nasty' aspect of the crooks, so not for those who don't like too much violence or sexual references.
  

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  • I read Girl With a Dragon Tattoo last year and really enjoyed it. I am waiting very impatiently to get my hands on the seond one, and then the third one will be out early next year. It was a bit of a shame that the author died before the books were published so hasn't be able to see how successful his creation has been! I;'ll put a link to my full review inside if anyone is interested.>>> -- Marg, 22:33:06 01/10/09 Sat
    • Enjoyed your review and this book. I listened to it on cd from the library and loved it. I hadn't known there were more and will definitely read them. (NT) -- FranS, 18:57:46 01/12/09 Mon
      • I just got the first one to listen to on my ipod. Thanks for the review! (NT) -- Whiskey Eyes, 08:59:07 01/14/09 Wed
  
  

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• "Weep Not For Me: Women, Ballads, and Infanticide in Early Modern Scotland" by Deborah A. Symonds and "The Heart of Midlothian" by Sir Walter Scott -- Lemora, 01:16:43 01/07/09 Wed
  Taken from a review: "Folk music, in the 1950's, allowed young women to test social and cultural limits and to mine an antique lode of tough-minded songs about emotional wars and reproductive perfidies. This lode was the Child Ballads, the group of Scottish and English topical tales, handed down on Scottish moors since the sixteenth century --collected and codified by nineteenth century English folklorist Francis James Child, hence the name. Although these ballads were anonymous, historian Symonds unearthed the fact that their nameless writers were overwhelmingly female. Employing the mayhem of earlier male battle ballads, women of the Early Modern Age wrote of their own battles: murders of lovers, murders of spouses, murders of sisters. Then, as feudal life in Scotland and northern England gave way to the agricultural revolution of the eighteenth century, the ballads became obsessed with a single subject: these hard-pressed women's abandonment of their infants and, in the frequent extreme, their desperation-bred acts of infanticide. In feudal days, a pregnancy would trigger a betrothal, and the newly married couple would live on the family's land. But with the buying up of small farms in the eighteenth century by the emerging bourgeoisie, the poor were left landless, so the young poor stopped marrying. While the shamed, land-poor menfolk ran away to join the army, the shamed pregnant women were left to bear out-of-wedlock children in vast number." "The Heart of Midlothian" was written about this phenomenon --elevating the poor commoner's social station to noblewoman and making her wrongly accused of infanticide rather than guilty, to likely enhance reader-friendliness-- and Symonds' book is based upon new research. Has anyone read either of these, or seen this tragic fallout of the changing society dealt with fictionally? Is this situation related to the late-eighteenth century Highland Clearances? Symonds' book sounds especially interesting.
  

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  • That sounds very interesting Lemora, off to check it out at Amazon. (NT) -- AmyGirl, 17:44:58 01/09/09 Fri
  • Lemora, did you go searching for this book after reading Girls Like Us? I'm halfway through it and love it! I have also finished A Freewheelin Time and can't say enough about the memories both of these books have brought back to me. Thank you for all these recommendations. (NT) -- Valerie L., 10:32:40 01/11/09 Sun
    • Shiela Weller brought this book to my attention in "Girls Like Us" but I haven't sought it out yet. I also can't say enough good things about 'Girls' and 'Freewheelin'. I'm currently rereading 'Girls', and I read 'Freewheelin' twice, also. If I had to pick one song of Joni Mitchell's that symbolizes my twenties, I'd pick "Cary". These books really take me back (sigh). I recommended Symonds' book because it deals with the sociology of Scotland in the eighteenth century. I thought it might be of interest to denizens of Lallybroch. "The wind is in from Africa; last night I couldn't sleep....." (NT) -- Lemora, 20:10:38 01/11/09 Sun
      • Also, check out Shiela Weller's website, www.girlslikeusthe book.com. Her blog is linked to it, and it is excellent. Another book of hers I plan to read is "Dinner At Ciro's", about her childhood. (NT) -- Lemora, 20:31:37 01/11/09 Sun
  
  

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• A Song of Fire and Ice series by George R R Martin - fantasy -- Margy, 08:49:25 01/01/09 Thu
  I can't recall who originally mentioned these, but you owe me several days of my life back *g*
  
  So far there are 4 books published in 5 volumes
  * A Game of Thrones
  * A Clash of Kings
  * A Storm of Swords Part 1 Steel and Snow
  * A Storm of Swords Part 2 Blood and Gold
  * A Feast For Crows
  
  I'm just about to start A Feast of Crows, these books are totally absorbing and you will want to jump straight into the next one as soon as you finish the first.
  
  A word of warning though, the series is not complete, there are 3 more to be written (sound familiar?) so be prepared for a wait.
  

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  • Uh, Margy, that might have been me. Glad you like them. Now, when you finish Crows try my new fave, Patrick Rothfuss' The Name of the Wind. At first I wasn't sure but now I AM HOOKED! And dying for the next book. (NT) -- susiej, 12:25:25 01/01/09 Thu
    • Thanks SusieJ, I'll make a note if it. Next in line is the Soldier Son series by Robin Hobb, I got a couple of these for Xmas, but I will look up Patrick Rothfuss soon. (NT) -- Margy, 08:04:17 01/02/09 Fri
    • I have this sitting on my shelf, and have gotten through the first couple of chapters. I'll have to try again. (NT) -- Jessica M., 12:57:39 01/03/09 Sat
  • I've got A Game of Thrones in my TBR pile. Looks like I'll be bumping it up to the top of the pile. I'm dying to lose myself in another series. Thanks! (NT) -- MiladyM, 05:53:01 01/02/09 Fri
  • These books are absolutely fabulous and totally addictive. The latest was supposed to be out last November, but the earliest we can hope for it is this spring. I can't wait! (NT) -- Valerie L., 08:39:09 01/02/09 Fri
    • I've been wondering when the next one was due, great! (NT) -- FranS, 11:54:24 01/02/09 Fri
  • I am currently reading A Storm of Swords, and I find these books addictive but hard to read at times. I know that doesn't sound right but just when I think I can't read anymore something exciting happens and I keep reading on. Today I kept saying to my DH this book is so sad, he just laughed and said stop reading it, but I can't. (NT) -- LisaW, 18:17:58 01/04/09 Sun
  • Love these books...have read the first ones 3 times ... can't wait for the new one!!! I think these are some of the best written books ever. (NT) -- Lynda J, 11:02:37 01/08/09 Thu
  
  

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• Camulod Series by Jack Whyte -- susiej, 07:55:28 01/05/09 Mon
  Conmama and whoever else, maybe Lynn, who told me the series got better as it went along. I agree. I finally picked the third one up off my bedside table and am enjoying it much more. Maybe I'm just immature, but Merlyn's childhood memories are more engaging to me than Publius Varrus and Caius Brittanicas- they were a little dry, almost too upright (dare I say preachy) for me.
  

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  • I mentioned in Surrey how I liked the books a lot more once it was told in Merlyn's voice. I'm not a big fan of Publius, even told that to Jack who took affront to the comment *g*, but too bad! You'll continue to enjoy them. (NT) -- Denise, 16:24:31 01/05/09 Mon
    • Denise, I think he took affront to it because one time he was asked which of his characters is "him". He answered that Publius Varrus is most like him. LOL! (NT) -- conmama, 07:16:47 01/06/09 Tue
      • Oh dear! I think he's forgiven me since we had a nice chat this year in Surrey! (NT) -- Denise, 17:16:15 01/06/09 Tue
  • Hi Susie I'm so glad you are enjoying them. It takes awhile to get used to the tone of the books. I found the historical lessons wonderful and his style of writing. I loved Merlyn, but will always have a soft spot in my heart for Publius. I thoroughly enjoyed this version and take on Arthur and the gang. I was never that interested in the story to begin with...but these books changed that. It's a wonderful tale. Read "Uther" either after this one or the next. Jack actually wrote it after the 6th book, as an afterthough and from Uther's POV. The time period of the book is after the 3rd or 4th, so I'm glad I read it in chronological order. (NT) -- conmama, 17:00:02 01/05/09 Mon
    • Thanks, Conmama, I was wondering about Uther because when I took Jack's class at Surrey, he read the opening of Uther to us and I was just thinking last night- hmm, that book will be going back over what I just read. I have to say that hearing the story aloud in Jack's vibrant, deep male Scottish voice was something else. I couldn't help thinking- so this is what Jamie sounds like! Jack's quite sexy for a man in his what- sixties? I was also thinking- this is Publius Varrus. And then I wanted to ask him about that tramp Silla *g*. (NT) -- susiej (), 06:58:40 01/06/09 Tue
      • Late 60's. I love Jack!!! Have you ever heard him sing, it's wonderful (NT) -- Cherie, 08:40:55 01/08/09 Thu
        • He sang the Hippopatamus song at Surrey- it was great! (NT) -- susiej, 10:31:01 01/08/09 Thu
    • That's a big book for an afterthought! Thanks, I was puzzled as to where "Uther" fit in. (NT) -- FranS, 17:11:37 01/06/09 Tue
  
  

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• The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton - I have just finished this book and its a lovely story, all about an old lady and later her grandaughter trying to solve the mystery of theold lady's past. it is linked in with fairy stories - which sounds odd, I know, but its compelling and beautifully written. -- Beccy, 01:29:56 01/05/09 Mon
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  • I just finished this book a few weeks ago and enjoyed it. (NT) -- Alissa, 02:57:18 01/05/09 Mon
  • I very much enjoyed House at Riverton, so I am waiting very impatiently to get my hands on this one. (NT) -- Marg, 03:17:08 01/05/09 Mon
  • I looked on amazon and it says preorder for april- how'd you read it already? (NT) -- bookbug :), 19:02:52 01/07/09 Wed
    • Its out in paperback in the UK, though maybe publication in the US is later. (NT) -- Beccy, 00:03:42 01/08/09 Thu
  
  

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• DG Audiobooks -- TeresaCH, 16:52:30 12/17/08 Wed
  Its not really a reading suggestion but I need some suggestions on getting the audiobooks fo DGs outlander series. Are there several narrators for the audiobooks? and which one would better unabridged or abridged? I would appreciate any help and suggestions :)
  

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  • Unabridged is the only way to go. The narrator is Davina Porter and she does a wonderful job. The abridged version is 'missing' a good portion of the book. There used to be a section of DG's website where she makes a comparison between abridged and unabridged. It was something like 20 pages of unabridged was reduced down to a paragraph or two in the unabridged. Too much important stuff missing. (NT) -- CathyS, 21:06:30 12/17/08 Wed
  • The places to buy them are Recorded books .com or you can get them through audiobooks.com to download onto an MP3 player. Definitely get the unabridged if you can. Try places like e-bay and amazon too. (NT) -- Margy, 23:49:14 12/17/08 Wed
  • Not to mention your local public library if the library has the books on CD in their collection. But be prepared to invest the time, if you are so inclined, to rip all 203 disks (ask me how I know..) to you mp3 player. If the library has books on CD but not this series, suggest the purchase. (NT) -- Joyce Mc (retired librarian), 03:51:49 12/18/08 Thu
    • I have asked DG about having them put into MP3 format. (Not sure she understood what I was asking) That way each book would be only a couple of CD's each . . . and several on one if they are DVD's. Don't ask me how . . . . DH knows. (NT) -- CathyS, 07:37:59 12/18/08 Thu
  • Ah thank you everyone for the suggestions. I saw some of the books on Itunes but wasnt sure if there were quality. Thanks again :) (NT) -- TeresaCH, 16:23:43 12/18/08 Thu
  • Trty audlible.com for mp3 format of the books. (NT) -- nimbus, 02:58:34 01/07/09 Wed
  
  

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• "Secrets of a Lady" and "Beneath a Silent Moon" by Tracy Grant -- Lynn H., 15:15:22 12/31/08 Wed
  Happy New Year, everybody!
  
  I can't remember if anyone has mentioned these books here before or not. They feature a man and wife by the name of FRASER(!) who lead very complicated lives in the time period just after the Napoleonic Wars. I hate to give away any of the plot, but as I was describing the story to my mother she said, "That sounds like the kind of thing that used to happen on Alias!" Yes, these books have spies, spying, betrayals, kidnappings, and intrigue all on top of a really good love story.
  
  I gobbled them up in the order they were published, Secrets first, then Silent Moon. However, Silent Moon is actually a prequel to Secrets, and the author does a good job of not leaking any spoilers over into either one, so they can be read in either order.
  

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  • I've read all her books and enjoyed them all. Her stories don't follow a formula. The plots are darker than most romances and her characters are compelling. (NT) -- Valerie L., 08:44:49 01/02/09 Fri
  
  

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• "Book of Negroes" by Lawrence Hill -- Fantastic book! I HIGHLY recommend to everyone!! -- Lisa, 18:55:20 12/28/08 Sun
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  • What's it about? (NT) -- 'becca beccabee, 16:55:55 12/30/08 Tue
  • He's the author of Someone Knows My Name too, isn't he? I haven't read Book of Negroes, but I did just finish the other one. That was a great book. (NT) -- Lynn H., 15:06:17 12/31/08 Wed
  • It follows a young African girl in the slave trade, I don't want to say much else as it may give the story away. A beautifully written story which will have you reading till the wee hours. FANTASTIC! (NT) -- Lisa, 06:55:47 01/01/09 Thu
  • Oh, and as for "Someone knows my name" it is actually the EXACT same book, but in the US they changed the name as they thought the title was too derogatory. Eventhough there really is a "Book of Negroes" listing all slaves that were sent to Nova Scotia from the states and "freed". (NT) -- Lisa, 14:46:25 01/01/09 Thu
    • Now that I think about it, they do talk about the "Book of Negroes" in the story. I thought that was an amazing book... like a female version of Roots, but with a (somewhat) happier ending... almost happy enough to be unrealistic, in fact. (NT) -- Lynn H., 06:20:47 01/02/09 Fri
  
  

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• I have not been here a while so forgive me if this book has been discussed before, but has anyone read The Skack by Wm Paul Young. I found it very interesting while also giving me a true sense of peace. Just thought I would throw it out there.Merry Christmas to ALL -- Peggy K, 13:37:19 12/16/08 Tue
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  • Is this Peggy in the UK? Hi Peggy, (wherever you are) and Happy Christmas to you too. Not heard of this book until now. (NT) -- Margy, 15:08:05 12/16/08 Tue
  • I have heard of this book, and one of my friends recommeded it to me. A woman in our book group wants to read it, but there is a long list of holds at the library. It must be pretty good! (NT) -- LalaB, 18:30:12 12/16/08 Tue
  • Sorry , No I am not Peggy from the UK just California. The book is very good, hard to read in some parts but just keep going , its all worth it later. (NT) -- Peggy K, 23:10:12 12/16/08 Tue
  • I didn't read it because I was really put off by the description on the cover. Should I forget about that and just do it??? It sounded so dark and upsetting. (NT) -- 'becca beccabee, 16:03:56 12/18/08 Thu
  • becca beccabee , Yes you should read it. I am the same, I didnt want to read it either by=ut I was glad I did in the end. Some of the parts are very hard to read but it comes together. I do not like any books about child abuse ,violence or sexual abuse. I just dont want to read about it. I read for pleasure and that is not pleasurable for me. This book will stay with you . It was just an interesting take on God and religon. It gave me hope and A sense of peace. Let me know what you thought if you do read it. Merry Christmas. (NT) -- Peggy K, 23:22:25 12/18/08 Thu
  • This is on my TBR list. My best friend read it because a woman she works with, who is an atheist, raved about it. My friemd, who's Catholic, hated it. The extreme reactions intrigued me, so I have to try it for myself. (NT) -- Terri C, 05:49:09 12/24/08 Wed
  • I don't really know what this book is about, but we sell tons of it at the bookstore. I've had one person tell me it had a type of vampire -- sort of -- in it, and another person told me it's a spiritual book but God is a woman. I dunno. I'm not fixed in any one path, so I'm all for reading something horizon-expanding. But I just haven't heard anything consistent, so I haven't felt inspired to read it myself. (NT) -- Nifty, 19:36:57 12/27/08 Sat
  • Nifty, Just read the book. Yes GOD is a women in ther beginning but for a good reason and it is explained. It is just a very interesting , different perspective of religion. I am Catholic and liked the book. Some of it was "hard " for me to wrap my brain around but it has stuck with me. Just read it, it is a fast read and you wont be sorry, weather or not you agree with it. (NT) -- Peggy K, 00:26:10 12/31/08 Wed
  
  

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• Just finished 'Moloka'i' recommended by beccabee. It was wonderful. What a beautiful book (the cover is gorgeous) and the writing is just as beautiful. I recommend it and am grateful to beccabee for suggesting it. Thank you! -- CathyS, 16:44:02 12/28/08 Sun
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  • Whenever someone asks me the favorite book I have read this year, that was it. (NT) -- 'becca beccabee, 10:52:16 12/29/08 Mon
  
  

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• I am about a third of the way through -- 'becca beccabee, 05:43:44 11/28/08 Fri
  a book I picked up on Wednesday, The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible.
  
  It is really, really funny and also provides a lot of Bible history actually interesting and not a grind.
  
  The author is a magazine editor and book author, A.J. Jacobs, who happens to take on the contract to live Biblically for one year after finishing his first book about his endeavor to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica . His difficulties in following the words of the Word to the letter are amusing and make one think - a lot.
  
  Just his comments on his wife's attitude toward his quest are worth the price of the book. One hint - according to the laws of the Old Testament, a man cannot lay on a bed or sit on a chair where a menstruating woman has laid or sat. At the point of her first period after A.J. starts his quest, the wife is so pissed off at him that she sits on every chair in the house and taunts him about it. So he buys one of those little cane chairs and carries it with him everywhere. He has even more troubles when he has to stone a sinner.
  
  I am enjoying this book immensely.
  

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  • Great, Becca! AJ Jacobs is my client's nephew, so I get his books as Christmas gifts from her. I have read and loved his first book, "The Know It All: One humble man's quest to become the smartest person in the world", which is where he read the entire Encyclopedia Brittanica and wrote about that journey. He is so hilarious. I've had the Year of Living Biblically book since last Christmas and still haven't read it. But I am looking forward to it, immensely. I may pick it up, next. (NT) -- Reilly, 06:48:16 11/28/08 Fri
  • I just read your post outloud to my DH, it is so funny! This might be a good one for our Book & Cook Club. (NT) -- FranS, 15:01:03 11/29/08 Sat
  • I have read both those books and loved them. He has a similar style to Bill Bryson, I think. (NT) -- astrokath, 00:47:08 11/30/08 Sun
    • I am about 4/5ths of the way through now and still loving it. I think that what is pulling me is that Jacobs is not afraid to admit that he is no better than anyone else who is questing for God and that his Spiritual year is a total struggle. (NT) -- 'becca beccabee, 15:01:58 11/30/08 Sun
      • He is very self-depricating, even though he comes from a family of genius' and is extremely witty and intelligent, himself. That's what I loved about his first book. Here he was reading the encyclopedia and testing for MENSA, but is the first to admit his failures and make fun of himself for it, along the way. I started The Year of Living Biblically last night, and of course am already loving it. (NT) -- Reilly, 05:28:41 12/02/08 Tue
        • I finished it last night, Reilly. It is really kind of a heart tugger. (NT) -- 'b, 06:56:02 12/02/08 Tue
  • I'm a little late, but this book sounds like a good read! One possibly silly question- is it very religious, as in, tries to impart religious ideals/lessons to the reader? I'm not really a religious person - so just wondering! (NT) -- Elle S, 12:13:12 12/04/08 Thu
    • There is certainly no preaching, but you do learn a lot about religion by reading it, which is not a bad thing. I don't have any religious beliefs either and didn't notice any bias at all. (NT) -- astrokath, 19:43:53 12/04/08 Thu
      • Jacobs deeply researches both the Old and New Testaments but doesn't preach either. He acknowledges at the beginning that he is a Jew by birth, but agnostic and open to learn new things. (NT) -- 'becca beccabee, 17:25:37 12/05/08 Fri
  • Thanks becca. I'll being buying this book for X-mas presents too! (NT) -- Toddles, 10:47:05 12/07/08 Sun
  • Becca....can you tell me, since I doubt I will finish the book before Christmas with as busy as I am now, is there any profanity in this book? I want to get it for my aunt for Christmas, but she is a bit religious herself so I don't want to get her anything that might offend. I think she'd love his humor, though. His first book does have a little bit of profanity, but I would doubt this one does because of his efforts to live biblically, eh? (NT) -- Reilly, 11:45:15 12/07/08 Sun
  • 'becca, I've just bought his first book for the DH for Christmas. Thanks for the tip. (NT) -- Margy, 07:07:54 12/11/08 Thu
  • Just finsihed it and LOVED it. Very funny...witty...well-written (NT) -- TheresaSt., 10:06:08 12/25/08 Thu
  
  

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• Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss -- susiej, 15:15:38 12/20/08 Sat
  Anyone read this? I'm trying to decide whether to continue or not. Its big and, ofcourse, I like big books, and the writing can be really beautiful, but the first night I was thinking, its a nice story but I've heard this before (big spiders, Aragorn type guy in a tavern) then the next night I was completely intrigued and loving it, (there's a really cool fae character), but on the third night, it started dragging.
  
  I am trying to take a break in the midst of House of Niccolo so that I can make that series last longer, but I need a good distraction in order to do so. I'm trying to decide if its just that Nicholas is calling to me or is this book just not worth it?
  

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  • I don't know about the book you mentioned, but I did want to remind you that we will be starting a discussion of "The Ringed Castle" on S&S in January (11th, I think). (NT) -- LT (Denise), 09:11:10 12/22/08 Mon
    • I won't forget. I was on Marzipan for a while but had to unsubscribe because I hadn't finished HoN and kept seeing major spoilers. Those people are totalDunnet fanatics- it was great, over my head sometimes though. (NT) -- susiej, 12:57:07 12/23/08 Tue
  • I can only tell you that I absolutely loved The Name of the Wind-great characters, great plot and enough unanswered question to keep me anxiously awaiting the second book in the trilogy. I don't remember that any of the story dragged for me. DH loved it too, and he's not a big reader! I think if you get through any slow spots it's well worth the effort. (NT) -- Linda B, 19:44:40 12/22/08 Mon
    • Yea, fourth night was the charm- I'm totally into it. Loving it. Loving Kvothe. The part that started to drag for me was the misery of Tarbean and some of the long fables. But I generally love fables so maybe it was just that DS had been running high fever and puking all over everything, so I was edgy and hard to please. I'm going to try and get DH to read this. (NT) -- susiej, 12:51:44 12/23/08 Tue
  • Hi Susiej, long time no 'see'! Funny you should post about this, I was catching up on old Booklists at work, and saw a glowing review for Name of the Wind when it was on the paper mass market bestseller list. I'll have to take a look at it. (NT) -- HollyC, 06:01:56 12/23/08 Tue
    • I think you'd like it! BTW, what do you do at work? (NT) -- susiej (), 12:54:16 12/23/08 Tue
      • Its going on my buy list! Work inside>>> -- HollyC, 15:30:26 12/23/08 Tue
        • cool>>> -- susiej, 10:05:01 12/24/08 Wed
  
  

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• A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka -- albion, 02:03:28 12/02/08 Tue
  Anyone else read this book? Its a quick, but very engaging read. I read it in a couple of afternoons and loved it. It's about an 84 year old Ukranian widow who came to Britain after the World War II as a refugee. He falls for a glamourous 36 year old blond ukranian and economic migrant called Valentina who is only interested in his money and all the western consumer durables his money can buy her. His daughters are horrified and despite their strained relationship forge a new understanding as they try to remove their father from Valentina's clutches. It's a funny lighthearted book with moments of sadness as the daughters struggle to make their stubborn, frustrating and romantic father understand he is being taken for a ride by his new wife. It's an uplifting book with a great ending.
  

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  • I have heard of this one but didn't know much about it. I will definitely pick it up when I see it. (NT) -- 'becca beccabee, 15:51:46 12/02/08 Tue
  • Hi albion, I tried it but couldn't get into it, My DH LOVED it though and says the new one is even better. I might have to try it again. (NT) -- Margy, 05:34:42 12/04/08 Thu
  • lewycka -- nellyk, 12:01:37 12/11/08 Thu
  
  

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• "A Freewheelin' Time" by Suze Rotolo and "Girls Like Us" by Sheila Weller -- Lemora, 17:09:55 12/03/08 Wed
  Both of these books deal with the late fifties/early sixties when Bohemia came up from underground and became The Counterculture. This story is finally being told from a female perspective, by those who were there for the shift. Born in 1948, my life as a young woman was shaped and transformed by this era. Suze Rotolo was Bob Dylan's soulmate during his early New York years and early fame. Her portrait of Greenwich Village life and times is fascinating, and her anecdotes sparkle. Weller tells the stories of Carole King, Carly Simon, and Joni Mitchell and their respective musical journeys. Their music was the soundtrack to my loves, hurts, triumphs and disappointments, as with so many other women my age. Weller has tremendous insight into these women and their times. Have any of you read these books? They are must-haves for me, and are a powerful trip back to much more romantic and less complicated times. (Nostalgia isn't what it used to be....)
  

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  • This was the music that formed my soul. I ordered both these books form my library ILL. Thank you for pointing in their direction. (NT) -- Valerie L., 21:24:55 12/04/08 Thu
    • You have a treat in store! Enjoy! You'll learn lots of things you didn't already know. (NT) -- Lemora, 01:02:54 12/05/08 Fri
  • Lemora, Lemora, Lemora - we aren't old enough to be remembering the '50's and the '60's, are we??? (NT) -- 'becca beccabee, 17:28:31 12/05/08 Fri
    • Well, I am old enough! I remember the thirties, and I wasn't even born yet! (NT) -- Lemora, 16:31:59 12/09/08 Tue
      • I could swear that I lived once from the 1880's until 1953. (NT) -- 'becca, 04:25:22 12/10/08 Wed
        • Then I came back in 1954. Meant to say that up above. (NT) -- 'b, 04:25:52 12/10/08 Wed
  
  

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• "These is my Words" by Nancy E. Turner -- M&M (), 07:23:08 11/13/08 Thu
  I was updating her website last night and she hinted that something is in the works to keep my fingers crossed. Well, that always means "MOVIE" to me, so I wrote that back and she basically said...she's not telling me. She's got a bit of Diana in her. :-)
  
  I just wanted to recommend again, in case some of you have missed.
  
  The first book is written in journal form, it starts out with bad grammer since the main character Sarah is very young, and as she grows and becomes a woman, her writing style changes and grows with her.
  
  From the website:
  These Is My Words uses the love of learning as a major plot element in a story inspired by her great-grandmother, Sarah Prine. It is set during a time in Territorial Arizona when life was hard and tenuous. The story is a portrait of the courage and perseverance of
  
  There's three books in the series now. The third is the final book.
  
  http://nancyeturner.net/
  

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  • Just finished this last night. Cried like a baby!! It was wonderful. Thanks Michelle and everyone else who recommended this book. I wouldn't have picked it up if it weren't for the recommendation here. (NT) -- Terri C, 07:21:52 11/21/08 Fri
  • These will be great x-mas gifts for my DM and DMIL. Thanks M&M. (NT) -- Toddles, 13:19:19 11/21/08 Fri
  • I just started this book this week. Already I'm loving it. (NT) -- LadyGrace, 13:09:57 11/25/08 Tue
  • I finished this one on the way to work this morning on the commuter bus. That is a bus filled with people. All I can say is Oh My Lord, I wish someone had warned me not to read the ending in public. lol I had to keep stopping to compose myself but then I just HAD to keep going. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, was hooked from the start. Now, I can't wait to get home and pick up the next one in the series. (NT) -- LadyGrace, 08:24:57 12/03/08 Wed
  
  

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• Hello! Don't know if you can help me, but I am trying to find the title of a book first recommended by Herself on her reading list a long time ago, but it is no longer on her list. It is about a lady who becomes a ?mortician (or a pathologist) I think? It took place in medieval italy and england I think? It might have had something to do with an epidemic in England? I am taking an Epidemilogy class next semester and my DS also recommended it a long time ago, but cannot remember the name now? Thanks! -- Lady JenF, 05:31:57 11/14/08 Fri
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  • It's by Ariana Franlin "Mistress of the Art of Death". I read it, It takes a while to get in to but is good. She has a second book to the series"The Serpents tail". (NT) -- Tanya_P, 07:36:11 11/14/08 Fri
    • Thanks so much!! Is it about an epidemic? (NT) -- Lady JenF, 07:57:28 11/14/08 Fri
      • Well, only if you count serial murders. GREAT BOOKS! (NT) -- Susannah, 07:59:58 11/14/08 Fri
    • Depending on where you live the second book could be published under the title The Death Maze. Ariana Franklin is a psuedonym for Diana Norman, and her books published under that name are excellent as well! (NT) -- Marg, 12:08:53 11/14/08 Fri
    • ....and I think a third book is due out in the spring. The first two books were really great as audiobooks. (NT) -- LucyAnn, 05:42:43 11/15/08 Sat
      • Yes. The title of the third book is going to be Grave Goods - and this time it appears as though this will be the title everywhere thank goodness! (NT) -- Marg, 02:13:53 11/16/08 Sun
  • Oh my gosh, I just picked that up last week as a bargain book! I had no idea Diana recommended it! (NT) -- Sorcha, 16:03:07 11/16/08 Sun
  • I love Ariana Franklin's books but I don't think there is an epidemic in them. I can think of some other books with the "epidemic theme" but Franklin's so far aren't them. (NT) -- bookbug :), 20:11:15 11/18/08 Tue
  • Try, Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. I don't know if Diana has recommended it, but I certainly do! It's about the plague in small town England in the 1600's. The main character survives while everyone around her perishes and she also becomes a healer of sorts. Check it out. (NT) -- Annie Stewart, 07:51:47 11/19/08 Wed
    • I love that book. Its based on an actual historical event, and there is another beautifully written young adult book about the same incident : A Parcel of Patterns by Jill Paton Walsh that is worth reading whatever your age. (NT) -- HollyC, 11:38:36 11/19/08 Wed
    • Great book...except for the ending! (NT) -- Marg, 11:59:49 11/19/08 Wed
    • Year of Wonders was really great I second it! A couple of other plague books: A Vision Of Light by Judith Merkle Riley, The Plague Tales by Ann Benson, YA books At the Sign of the Sugared Plum and Petals in the Ashes by Mary Hooper and non fiction In the Wake of the Plague by Norman F. Cantor really good account of causes of the plague (NT) -- bookbug :), 18:28:43 11/29/08 Sat
  • The Bridei Chronicles by Juliet Marillier, the three books in this series are: The Dark Mirror, Blade of Fortriu, and The Well of Shades. These are historical fantasy, this is the second series I have read by her and have loved them both. (NT) -- LadyGrace, 13:03:03 11/25/08 Tue
  
  

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• reading recommendations -- Nelly K, 10:12:23 10/10/08 Fri
  Paisley, Janet: White Rose Rebel
  
  Dear All, has anybody read "White Rose Rebel"? It is a historical,(1745) but not too soppy ( and who cares that much about sop levels, not me.)
  I enjoyed reading it very much, and it is based around a true story, that of Anne Farquharson who lead the Clan Chattan, or parts of it, in battle for the Prince. Love interests for the "tempestuous" young woman are also provided and I liked the way Paisley writes well. Warning: The text contains the F***- word- not so great, but I don't see it as a pornographic book, and want to recommend it now. Enjoy.
  

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  • It has just been published here in Spain, so I can't leave a comment yet. Thanks for your recommendation, Nelly, I'll put it on my list. This summer I found out another novel about Lady Anne, titled "Midnight Honor", by Marsha Canham - I enjoyed it very very much. It was historical fiction, but the portrayal of the jacobite rebellion, the plots and the rest of the character are great. And the love scenes are simply WOW!. Marsha Canham wrote a 3 book saga featuring another Highland hero, luscious Alexander Cameron of Lochiel (NT) -- Covadonga, 15:34:04 10/16/08 Thu
    • I enjoyed this one, too. It was great to fill in the holes in the events leading up to the Battle (NT) -- Brookita, 01:16:22 11/25/08 Tue
  
  

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• A Bold, Fresh Piece of Humanity - by Bill O'Reilly -- Terri C, 08:47:05 11/08/08 Sat
  I know Bill O'Reilly can be controversial and I hestitated to post this here. Having said that, I'd recommend reading this laugh-out-loud book to anyone. It's mostly autobiographical and the parts where he talks about his Catholic school days are simply hysterical - and I never attended, so I imagine they'd be even funnier if you had attended Catholic school. (For those of you who dislike the man, skip over the "personal philosophy" chapters and just read the personal memories.) I literally laughed out out several times and cried a few times, as well (when he talks about friends who have died). I honestly didn't expect to enjoy this - I tried reading his Culture Warrior and got bored with the rhetoric (and I am an O'Reilly fan), but this book stays away from that (for the most part).
  

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  • I got this book for my DH for Christmas. We watch Fox News because they try to show both sides of the story. I do not need someone from the major networks to tell me what to do and how to do it. It is too bad the majority of our press has become that way. Fox will have a democrat and a republican on to discuss issues and I respect that. Bill O'Reilly will go after a person if they are trying to screw someone else, being dishonest etc (no matter the affiliation). He often took McCain to task for his views and stands as well as Obama. Can't wait for DH to read it so I can! (NT) -- SheltieLass, 09:29:57 11/08/08 Sat
    • Unfortunately, I would be more likely to believe anything on FOX news if they didn't label themselves, at every opportunity, as 'fair and unbiased'. I was amused when a British journalist compared their claim to 'fair and unbiased' to Nixon's 'I am not a crook!' I'm just glad there are lots of different news reports and some of them even ARE unbiased most of the time. Er, hope your husband enjoys his book. (NT) -- CathyS, 09:52:53 11/09/08 Sun
      • I sure he will enjoy the book as he is from NY, went to Catholic School where nuns were the teachers etc. It's Fair and Balanced and most of the time they are. (NT) -- SheltieLass, 07:04:54 11/10/08 Mon
      • Ha! I agree with this comparison, Cathy! My mom loved FOX News, and I tried to watch it with her, and now that she has joined the ancestors I don't have to hear it anymore from the next room, Thank God! (Mom was a Republican who lamented her daughter's being a "Socialist" --that would be me-- to her dying day, and wondering what she did "wrong" (or right, snerk?) during my upbringing! (NT) -- Lemora, 14:24:35 11/23/08 Sun
    • Bill O'Reilly used to be a H.S. history teacher. Does he talk about his years teaching? I get tired of a bunch of middle aged guys in suits all yelling at each other simultaneously. That, to me, mostly is FOX news, although I do like Greta Van Susteren, Shepherd Henderson, and Anderson Cooper. I admired their support of Natalee Holloway's mom, after her disappearance in Aruba. (I lived in and travelled all over the Caribbean in 1972-73. It was open season on young white women tourists then, and things haven't changed.) I also admired their prompt firing of the jerk who referred to the Clintons as "pimping out" Chelsea to campaign for Hillary. But, if you're really F&B, it'll be obvious. You don't need to keep trumpeting it. (NT) -- Lemora, 08:25:11 11/10/08 Mon
      • Hi Lemora. Yes, he talks about his teaching years, his years as an eraly journalist, growing up in a working class neighborhood, the value of old, close friends and lots of other non-political stuff. If the book hads been mostly politics, I wouldn't have recommended it here. But because most of the book is about him growing up and his life as a young man, I thought some of you might enjoy it . His accounts of his antics as a boy and teenagers are hysterical. (NT) -- Terri C, 07:12:25 11/12/08 Wed
  • Thanks for the recommendation. I find Bill O'Reily to be an independant thinker, who doesn't follow the party line...very refreshing! I don't listen to him all that much, but I might have to get this book. Especially because I went to Catholic school too. (NT) -- LalaB, 17:02:19 11/10/08 Mon
  • Thanks for the recommendation. (NT) -- Lady JenF, 05:22:29 11/14/08 Fri
  
  

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• Highland history book suggestions? -- CelticMama, 22:01:53 10/20/08 Mon
  I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for good books on Highland history? I homeschool my children; my son is a Highland dancer who is wanting to learn more about his background. We haven't had much luck finding books that are written from the Highland point of view, however. Any ideas?
  

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  • I'm a highland dance mom too, how old is your son? I just love watching the males dance. John Prebble wrote a very informitive trilogy. Glenco - The Story of the Massacre, The Highland Clearances & Culloden. They are very historical, kind of dull reading, but very informitive about the Highlander's and their fate. (NT) -- Cherie, 09:01:13 10/21/08 Tue
  • Thanks Cherie! I'll go check on those books. My son is 6- he just loves the sport :) How old are your dancers? (NT) -- CelticMama, 14:03:42 10/21/08 Tue
    • My dancer is 13, she's been at it since she was 4. She used to dance with a little boy, He stopped at about 13, which was sad to see. I love seeing the men dance in chapionships, they are amazing. I hope you little guy keeps it up. Tell him he could be the next David Wilton (current world former jr champion). DD got to do a reel with him on TV a couple years ago when we hosted the Canadians here. (NT) -- Cherie, 09:00:54 10/22/08 Wed
      • I'm sure you have this kind of info, but being the VP of our local association I have an abundance of highland dance info ----->>>> -- Cherie, 10:58:11 10/22/08 Wed
        • I didn't know any of this- we only know bits & pieces, as this is his first year. I would love for him to continue :) I have had a hard time finding info, so I really appreciate anything you can send me! Thank you :) (NT) -- CelticMama, 11:30:22 10/22/08 Wed
  • Girl in a Cage by Jane Yolen -- Dee, 17:39:05 10/21/08 Tue
    • Oh yes! I got it for my daugher, and then read it myself. Very good. (NT) -- Susannah, 10:46:09 10/23/08 Thu
    • Did you know that Jane Yolen and Robert Harris wrote "Girl in a Cage" as part of a quartet? It was really great and covers four of the great rifts; Queen’s Own Fool, Girl In A Cage, Prince Across the Water and The Rogues. All are YA books but are so well written I loved them! (NT) -- Melody :), 18:53:20 10/25/08 Sat
      • I picked up Prince Across the Water last summer at a booksale. It is a good YA book that tells the story of the 1745 Rising from the point of view of a young highland boy. (NT) -- RisaB, 08:31:25 10/26/08 Sun
  • I have a great idea for you.... My husband and I run a Scottish 18th century reenactment group. I would look online and find a scottish reenactment group close to you. We do school presentations and really try to educate young people about there heritage. And yes my husband does the sword dance... If I could post pictures on here I would show you....If you want more info just email me..... (NT) -- Erin Rickert, 22:53:59 11/20/08 Thu
  
  

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• Has anyone read The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josepine B by Sandra Gulland? It's about Josephine Bonapart and is written in diary style. I heard it was a good read. -- Gina-C, 06:05:55 11/08/08 Sat
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  • I have the trilogy on my shelf, but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Hopefully Cherie checks in here, she's a big fan. (NT) -- LT (Denise), 09:31:18 11/08/08 Sat
  • The whole trilogy is excellent. I think it must have been hard to write, particularly the third book given that the historical facts are pretty well known. I will put a link inside to my review of the first book. -- Marg, 12:10:20 11/08/08 Sat
    • Thanks Marg. That's an amazing web site you have! (NT) -- Gina-C, 15:39:29 11/08/08 Sat
      • Thanks Gina. (NT) -- Marg, 11:04:48 11/09/08 Sun
    • Marg, one day last month I was on a gmail, doing something with my settings, or something like that, I dont remember that part. *G* Anyway.....your blog was a featured blog for the day! :-) (NT) -- M&M, 16:13:55 11/10/08 Mon
      • Yes it was! Very exciting and lots of new visitors which was great too! I tried to email you back but it came back as undelivered! (NT) -- Marg, 00:28:21 11/11/08 Tue
        • I dont know why it came back, its my gmail acct. Oh well, Im so glad yours was featured. :-) (NT) -- M&M, 12:28:21 11/16/08 Sun
  • Great trilogy, I Loved all the books. (NT) -- Cherie, 17:49:24 11/09/08 Sun
  • Marg, I've just discovered your blog and I love it!!!!! I'll have to remember to go back to it when I'm finished school. If I started reading and joining in now, I'd never get my work done, lol. It's hard enough to only read the occasional book (Jennifer Donnelly was my latest side track, *VBG*). (NT) -- Keira, 14:36:20 11/11/08 Tue
  
  

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• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Peel Pie Society by Mary Shaffer -- astrokath, 02:25:51 11/03/08 Mon
  This is an absolutely charming book, set in Guernsey during WWII and the German invasion of the island. Everyone I know who has read it has loved it, and when finished most wished it had just gone on.
  Anyone read it?
  

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  • Yes, I've read it. It;'s one of my favourite books of the year! I will put a link to my review of it inside>> -- Marg, 14:50:55 11/03/08 Mon
    • Oh, I read this because Marg had posted about it!! I truly loved this book!! It is really one of the best books I've read all year if not the best. I've thanked Marg below for posting about it. It's very rare you find a gem like this. I shall never part with my copy, which, I give most of my books away. (NT) -- Noelle, 16:30:12 11/05/08 Wed
  • Loved this book. I read it ....and then read it again. The book is written as a series of letters between the various characters. Lots of great insights hidden between the lines of the letters. Let's see if I can remember this correctly - one of the characters says that the thing about reading good books is that it ruins the bad ones for you. So true! IMHO, a great book gift for your reading friends. (NT) -- LucyAnn, 05:52:12 11/15/08 Sat
  
  

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• Just finished reading "One thousand white women" by Jim Fergus. -- CathyS (), 12:43:41 11/12/08 Wed
  Not sure if I first learned of it on this board or somewhere else. I was totally fascinated by the entire book. The author took a supposed request from the Cheyenne Indians to trade 1000 horses (1/2 broken and 1/2 wild) for 1000 women of childbearing age so they could 'marry' the men and have babies that were part Indian/part Caucasion, allowing the Indians to 'fit in better' with the white population. The author is careful to explain that this never happened - it is his story of what might have happened - set in journal form, written by one of the women. I enjoyed it and I'm putting another of his books on my list of books TBR. It's a good story, well researched and well told. Has anyone else read it? It's worth a read. I give it 4 stars. *G*
  

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  • I've heard alot of good things about this book, and also The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society that is mentioned below. Guess I'll have to add these to my towering tbr pile. (NT) -- HollyC, 11:58:48 11/13/08 Thu
  • Hi Cathy S, I read this several years ago for our book club. I thought it was an excellent book and although it is fiction there are some "truths" there. At first I did not think I would like it but it was hard to put down. everyone in our club enjoyed it also. It is one of my "keepers" (NT) -- SheltieLass, 08:52:11 11/14/08 Fri
    • I may have to get a copy to keep. The one I read was from the library and I found I had a hard time returning it. I kept flipping through it to look for/reread parts that I especially liked. I also cried - a lot - at the end. Loved it, loved it! (NT) -- CathyS, 13:51:46 11/14/08 Fri
  
  

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• "The Painted Drum" and "Four Souls" by Louise Erdrich -- GenevieveF, 09:48:45 11/10/08 Mon
  I've recently read or listened to these two books by Native American author Louise Erdrich. They are beautifully woven stories of past and present, rich with Native American folklore and history. I enjoyed them very much! (FYI, the narrator of "The Painted Drum" did an especially good job with voice characterizations and accents.)
  

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  • Sounds interesting. I generally love anything to do with native american culture. Thanks. (NT) -- Lady JenF, 05:24:21 11/14/08 Fri
  
  

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• The Wild Rose -- Keira, 14:23:50 11/11/08 Tue
  Hi Everyone,
  Someone asked way down the boards if The Wild Rose was the third book in Jennifer Donnelly's Rose trilogy and I wanted to post this info from her website...
  
  Work is proceeding on The Wild Rose, the final book of the Rose trilogy. The Wild Rose will continue the Finnegan saga, taking the family through World War One and into the 1920s. No pub date yet, but I'll keep you posted as the book progresses.
  
  That being said, I think it was Tanya who mentioned it was being released in the UK. I will be in the UK in March and will look out for it. However, if it has already been released there and you just can't wait for it to hit the shelves here, maybe one of our UK girls can help out. This series is a brilliant read-couldn't put the second one down towards the end. I really felt for Seammie at the end (don't think that's a spoiler) am happy to take other comments inside if anyone wants to discuss the book.
  

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  • Thanks for the info, Keira. I just finished The Winter Rose, and I, too, love this series. I was glued to both books. Can't wait for The Wild Rose! Is it Seamie's story, I suppose? (NT) -- Reilly, 17:14:07 11/11/08 Tue
    • Hi Reilly, come inside.......Warning-spoilers for those who haven't read the first two books yet. -- Keira, 17:39:37 11/11/08 Tue
      • Thanks! Gosh, if it took her 10 years to write and publish The Tea Rose, I hope she's picked up the pace now with popular demand. She's so good, and I also love the time period in which these books take place. (NT) -- Reilly, 19:47:46 11/11/08 Tue
  • The Wild Rose was up on Amazon UK to be released last year, but it definitely hasn't been released yet. She is currently still writing it and there is no release date so far! Can I give a suggestion about buying books from the UK? There is an online bookstore there called The Book Depository. They ship for free to many (but not all) countries around the world. The countries they do ship for free to include Australia, NZ, Canada, US, Hong Kong. I will put the URL inside if you are interested. -- Marg, 00:16:33 11/12/08 Wed
    • Thanks Marg. I'd appreciate the URL. (NT) -- Keira, 10:07:10 11/12/08 Wed
      • Just click on the link that I put inside the post. (NT) -- Marg, 12:11:39 11/12/08 Wed
    • Sorry Marg-I missed the address up there-got it now. (NT) -- Keira, 17:52:12 11/12/08 Wed
  • Thanks for answering my question. And I am gald that I havent missed the book. (NT) -- Tanya_P, 07:04:46 11/13/08 Thu
  • I bought the second one over the summer and was waiting for the first one to come to bookcloseouts.com and got it a couple of days ago. They are pretty thick so I wanted my own copy, since it might take me awhile. Looking forward to starting them. (NT) -- M&M, 07:16:35 11/13/08 Thu
  
  

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• The Tea Rose -- Sandra in Lockport NY, 12:51:20 10/02/08 Thu
  Just finished reading The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly while waiting for Diana's next book in the Outlander series. It was excellent! It was recommended by other readers on your Recommended Reading Board. I have just started the sequel, The Winter Rose.
  

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  • I enjoyed The Tea Rose but totally loved The Winter Rose. Now I am waiting very impatiently for the third book in the series to come out! (NT) -- Marg, 13:39:20 10/02/08 Thu
  • Yeah, I liked both the Rose books a lot. They are both nice, meaty, historical fiction with strong female heroines! (NT) -- Gina-C, 17:32:21 10/02/08 Thu
  • I wasn't wild about the Tea Rose. It started off good but then lost me. Is the second book better? (NT) -- LalaB, 20:41:11 10/02/08 Thu
  • Loved The Tea Rose and am in the early middle of The Winter Rose...she is really a great writer. Very well researched and smart about her time period. And clever to boot! (NT) -- Reilly, 22:44:26 10/02/08 Thu
  • I read and loved both of the Rose books and am looking forward to the next. (NT) -- LadyGrace, 11:03:07 10/03/08 Fri
  • Hi Sandra, Good to see someone from the Western New York Area in here. Im from nearby in Grand Island NY! (NT) -- Irene, 03:34:14 10/06/08 Mon
    • great to see upstate new yorkers! longtime hoser here I grew up in Penn Yan! live in PA now tho! (NT) -- BetsyG, 19:47:18 10/11/08 Sat
  • Does anyone know if the "The Wild Rose" is the next book. It looks like its been released in the UK but not over here. (NT) -- TanyaP, 19:31:36 10/11/08 Sat
  • I loved both of these books, but especially the second. Perhaps because I ;ove the history of women making their mark and breaking through!! Come inside for info on the "Wild Rose". -- Keira, 14:14:44 11/11/08 Tue
  
  

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• Nora Roberts -- ladyphantom, 08:24:24 10/25/08 Sat
  I bought two Nora Roberts book at our school bazaar this week. I just finished my first one -- Dance Upon the Air. I really enjoyed it, but now I have to find the 2nd and 3rd of the trilogy.
  
  I am a book snob, and compare every author to "herself". It is rare to find something that meets my expectations. While Nora Roberts writing, IMO, is not as polished as DG's, I do like her style. I look forward to reading her other novels.
  

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  • The good thing about Nora Roberts is that she has a huge backlist. My favourite series by her is the Chesapeake Bay series, starting with Sea Swept. (NT) -- Marg, 15:09:05 10/25/08 Sat
    • I am a fan too and Love the Chesapeake Bay series also. (Maybe because I live here in the Land of Pleasant Living on the Eastern Shore where it is set). NR lives outside of Columbia, MD on the Western Shore in a small town. What amazes me is how she can write so many books a year!! She also writes under the name J. D. Robb too. Has a series set in Ireland (can't remember name). Enjoy reading her books (NT) -- SheltieLass, 16:13:53 10/26/08 Sun
      • Love, love, love the Chesapeake Bay series, especially Cam and Anna. Others I'd recommend are the In the Garden series (Blue Dahlia, Red Lilly, Black Rose), not to mention Angels Fall, Blue Smoke, Montana Sky and her latest, Tribute. You pretty much can't go wrong with Nora Roberts. (NT) -- Terri C, 08:37:07 11/08/08 Sat
    • Oh, I need to buy that series, too. I had no idea NR lives in Maryland.... only about an hour from me. I am so glad I discovered her. Thanks for the suggestions, ladies! (NT) -- ladyphantom, 19:36:58 10/26/08 Sun
  • I love the mysteries she writes as JD Robb. They are set in the future, but they are total page turners. (NT) -- RisaB, 08:37:34 10/26/08 Sun
  • I love Nora Roberts. Her characters are easy to fall in love with, and her books are easy reads that you can pick up and set down when things like children, houseword and husbands call! Her three sisters trilogy is one of my favorites, along with the Irish jewels one. The Villa, a novel about California wine country is my favorite of her other books. (NT) -- Jessica M., 12:59:18 10/26/08 Sun
    • I went to a used book store today and bought the 2nd of the trilogy (Mac -- yum!) and The Villa. (NT) -- ladyphantom, 19:19:16 10/26/08 Sun
  • Don't tell anyone...I like a few of her trilogies too. I lurve the Three Sisters one, and the Jewels one in Ireland. They are keepers. She technically isn't the writer that she should be by now, but she is a storyteller par excellence. And she's a hoot in person, too. Yep, I'm a fan. (NT) -- JulieO, 11:18:36 10/27/08 Mon
  
  

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• Unwind by Neil Shusterman is a great read! It's probably geared toward young adult but I could not put it down! I finished it in one day. It's written in the not too distant future and it takes place after a war between pro choice and pro life armies. It doesn't get into the issue, but rather focuses on one outcome of the truce that was created. This might sound like heavy reading but it really grabbed me from the first few pages. Highly recommend it! -- Dee, 15:48:34 11/03/08 Mon
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• Tristan & Isolde (the 2006 movie) -- HollyC, 16:00:29 10/29/08 Wed
  See what you started Susiej! I watched this movie after reading The White Raven by Diana Paxson, which made me curious about other versions of the legend. This film was great, and I think it would appeal to people here: there's dramatic Irish scenery, a love triangle where you feel sympathy for all three,lots of swords (haven't people been talking about swords lately? *g*),James Franco is Tristan and there's a bit part by Henry Cavill from The Tudors. I can't believe I never had even heard of this, makes you wonder what other good films get lost by the wayside? Yikes, maybe everyone's seen it but me?
  

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  • I saw it and liked it. ( no surprise there,huh) Liked the Isolde so much more than I did the one in the book. The Marc was right for me, but the Tristan didn't grab me- too sullen for my tastes. (perhaps Eric would have been better?) However, DH liked the movie so it was a good fit for us. I've seen that actress mentioned for Laoghaire and I think the looks right, but....I like her too much! *g* So Holly, I take it you finished. Didn't you like the ending? Did you read the epilogue? (NT) -- susiej (), 07:03:11 10/30/08 Thu
    • Tha actress who played Isolde was also in the TV show "Moonlight" last season (sadly missed by many of us for the loss of Alex O'Loughlin and Sophia Myles). (NT) -- LT (Denise), 09:43:59 10/30/08 Thu
    • I really liked the way it ended. Inside>>>>> -- HollyC, 11:54:34 10/30/08 Thu
      • Yea, my heart really ached for Marc>>> -- susiej, 12:30:52 10/30/08 Thu
        • Do you mean the post about arranged marriages? inside>>> -- HollyC, 13:15:47 10/30/08 Thu
          • No, I didn't rec the one by Small, but I wanted to read it. My library didn't have it. (NT) -- susiej, 14:32:11 10/30/08 Thu
  • I've seen it. I liked it. I have read a book about them, but can't remember what it was. I'm a sucker for these kinds of movies. But I tell you I was pretty disappointed when I found out Grendel was a troll *G* (NT) -- Cherie, 08:25:43 10/30/08 Thu
  
  

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• I've had Katherine by Anya Seton in my TBR pile forever....... -- AmyGirl, 13:13:25 10/11/08 Sat
  and finally read it. It was sooooo good. I really enjoyed it and was sorry it had to end. If like me you haven't read this wonderful book, do yourself a favor and pick it up. I bought Dragonwyck (sp?) and Green Darkness (I think) at the same time as Katherine so I have two more by Seton to enjoy! BTW afetr finishing Katherine I've been looking up books on Julian of Norwich whom I'd heard of, but now am very interested in. Does anyone know of a good book on Julian?
  

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  • I have to say Julian of Norwich is probably the one element of that story I haven't researched over the years, so I can't help you there. But I'm so glad to hear you liked Katherine! (NT) -- Lynn H., 17:21:03 10/11/08 Sat
  • I really enjoyed this book also. I was sad when it ended, but I guess that is one of the things that make a great book. (NT) -- LisaW, 20:05:18 10/11/08 Sat
  • Most know its one of my favorites *G* I made a website for it, it gets quite a few hits, mostly for the images. Lots of John, none of Katherine. Link inside>>>>>>>>>>>> -- M&M, 21:24:08 10/15/08 Wed
  • I read Green Darkness before I read Katherine. I really enjoyed both books. (NT) -- Brenda W, 11:39:32 10/16/08 Thu
  • I really liked Dragonwyck, but couldn't get into it...perhaps I should try again! (NT) -- Shari, 14:16:20 10/30/08 Thu
  • I mean, I couldn't get into Kathrine... (NT) -- Shari, 14:21:28 10/30/08 Thu
  
  

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• The Gideon Trilogy by Linda Buckley Archer -- ErinR, 18:49:25 10/28/08 Tue
  These books are marketed as children's books (along the line of Harry Potter). I really enjoyed the two that are published (#3 yet to come). There's time travel, brushes with famous historical people, etc. Sound kinda familiar? I found them, personally, to be a bit dark and advanced for your average ten-year-old, but maybe I'm just not giving ten-year-olds enough credit! See what you think. The UK titles are Gideon the Cutpurse and The Tarman. The US versions are called The Time Travelers and The Time Thief. I think they are very, very good!
  

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• Monarch of the Glen -- Jessica M., 13:18:32 10/26/08 Sun
  Just finished the first season of Monarch from Netflix and and waiting for the second to get here. I peeked ahead and saw that there are significant changes after the second season or so. Is it worth continuing?
  

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  • I fell in love with ,monarch of the Glen! It does change, but stays good through the 5th season (I think so anyway). I haven't seen season 7. I'd keep watching if they're from Netflix, you're not out any money. (NT) -- MaryJ, 14:05:07 10/26/08 Sun
    • I love it so far, the Dad just cracks me up! (NT) -- Jessica M., 15:18:57 10/26/08 Sun
      • Same here, Jessica - and the way the mom & dad interact just makes me laugh & laugh! (NT) -- MaryJ, 16:35:08 10/26/08 Sun
  • Oh yes! I think it gets better and better. In fact Season 4 is my favorite. The characters definitely change through the years, but the beautiful scenery, great musical score, and slightly goofy but feel-good writing remains the same throughout. I loved it all the way to the end, and miss not having new episodes to look forward to. (NT) -- Reilly, 16:06:37 10/26/08 Sun
    • Great!! That is what I really wanted to hear!! (NT) -- Jessica M., 20:20:36 10/26/08 Sun
  
  

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