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• I started reading it last night, had to finish up 'The Girl Who Played With Fire' first- so far I'm going slowly, but that might be mostly due to falling asleep every time I tuck in with a book. (NT) -- celtgirl, 11:45:52 10/06/09 Tue
  • I know what you mean, Cindy, I thought I'd never finish Time Traveler's Wife, but finally did, now my slate is clear for Echo...but I've only read a little bit so far. Gotta step it up if I'm gonna finish before Surrey! (NT) -- PeggyB, 22:52:55 10/07/09 Wed
• I got to about page 55...already cried twice! But that's as far as I got...kept nodding off on the plane and haven't had a chance to look at it since I got home. (NT) -- Lil, 22:47:33 10/06/09 Tue
  • The beginning >>>>>>>>>>>> -- PeggyB, 22:54:22 10/07/09 Wed
    • No, you're not in CRS mode, I think this is the first time she's used chronological overlap in such a direct way. I'm about 200 pages in now and quite enjoying it. (NT) -- celtgirl, 07:23:52 10/08/09 Thu
• Im about 300 pages in and enjoying it too. Can only read in short bursts at present though *g* Question from p238>>> -- Sheila, 22:19:17 10/09/09 Fri
  • Sheila>>>> -- celtgirl, 07:01:27 10/10/09 Sat
  • Sheila > > > -- Lady Diane B, 12:24:07 10/10/09 Sat
• I don't know why it took me so long to get into "Echo" -- usually I have it finished within 24 hours of buying it! But I just finished it Thursday, and thoroughly enjoyed it, but did feel that the beginning was a bit slow. (NT) -- Lady Diane B, 12:22:31 10/10/09 Sat

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• I can do the 2nd (or any) week. (NT) -- Elaine, 03:24:58 10/07/09 Wed
  • Thanks E! (NT) -- Lil, 12:45:28 10/08/09 Thu
• I'm thinking this discussion isn't going to get off the ground. What do you think? (NT) -- E, 08:21:22 10/09/09 Fri
  • Not much response, eh?? Maybe this should be postponed to a later date? I won't be here for most of the discussion so that would be one body out of the picture. Perhaps sometime next year would bring more interested persons to the discussion? (NT) -- Denise, 11:54:57 10/09/09 Fri
    • I won't be participating in any book discussions for a bit, simply because I need to focus on finishing my own book here and a book discussion is just a way for me to distract myself, which I'm already very good at. Sorry I can't participate, though. (NT) -- celtgirl, 12:15:49 10/09/09 Fri
    • We're all terribly busy these days. Perhaps it's for the best. (NT) -- E, 13:02:04 10/09/09 Fri
• I'm fine with whatever - honestly I'm very busy. So unless someone's dying to discuss this I think we should postpone. (NT) -- Lil, 16:27:31 10/09/09 Fri
  • This doesn't seem to be the best time for most of us. Why don't we just drop it for now. Maybe sometime early in the new year. What do you think? (NT) -- E, 17:14:39 10/09/09 Fri
    • I'm swamped with reading material right now. I'm going to Surrey in a couple of weeks, and feel I MUST have Echo finished before that. Sorry. Maybe November???? (NT) -- PeggyB, 08:34:01 10/10/09 Sat
• Hi Nalana! Sorry, I forgot to check the board this week. I don't mind helping out but would like to take later chapters as I haven't started to read it yet. I now see that it may be postponed, so I'll go with the majority I guess. (NT) -- Tracy, 17:01:26 10/09/09 Fri
  • Thanks Tracy! I appreciate you volunteering. It looks like its a bad time so the board will probably be in limbo until after the holidays. No worries, though, I'll be hitting you up to help out in the new year! *BG* (NT) -- Lil, 19:28:22 10/09/09 Fri
    • Sure! I'd love to help out. Let me know whatever you need help with girl. Thanks so much for organizing the discussions and the great amount of time and energy involved I appreciate it. (NT) -- Tracy, 07:29:28 10/10/09 Sat

   

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• I can second the recommendation of Sarah Dunant. I didn't know she had a new one out, but I loved the first two. (NT) -- Carla, 11:11:16 10/06/09 Tue
• I looked for these to take to Ireland, but they were sold out...that's a good sign I guess! *g* I'll have to add these to my TBR list...that thing gets longer and longer! (NT) -- Lil, 22:48:39 10/06/09 Tue
• I went looking for these yesterday at BJ's Wholesale and no dice. I'll have to order them online. (NT) -- Noelle, 18:42:46 10/07/09 Wed

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• I sure hope so, I've only got one left to prepare for the first week. I'll be on my cruise for the most of the discussion, which is really unfortunate, but 'c'est la vie'! (NT) -- Denise, 12:08:42 10/05/09 Mon
• Just finished reading 'The Little Stranger' by Sarah Waters. It was pretty good, and would probably make a good discussion book as things are going on in the story on different levels (well, it sort of depends on your interpretation of events, which the author leaves wide open). She has 4 other novels out, and one in particular, 'Fingersmith,' comes highly recommended. She's a Welsh author, and her settings are in the UK, so it covers the Celtic aspect of our book discussions. Anyway, just food for thought. I think you would find her writing style appealing. Click for her website. (NT) -- E, 15:02:22 10/06/09 Tue
• Geez, I better get on this eh? I'm still a bit knackered from my trip, but I'll pull together a post quickly here...must get back on task! (NT) -- Lil, 22:37:06 10/06/09 Tue
  • Wasn't trying to rush you, Nalana, not at all. (NT) -- E, 03:24:21 10/07/09 Wed

Last edited by author: Tue August 18, 2009 08:17:41   Edited 1 time.
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• Oops, I just remembered that we try to keep our book discussions on a Celtic theme. Totally slipped my mind. Well, if nothing else, maybe you'd like to read them for your own enjoyment. (NT) -- Elaine, 08:19:18 08/18/09 Tue
• King Hereafter! It's a stand alone DD. (NT) -- FranS, 22:01:44 08/27/09 Thu
• Has anyone read the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael by Ellis Perry? I just got a copy of the first one on a friend's recommendation. It is about a crime-solving monastic set in 12th century England. (NT) -- Elaine, 04:52:40 09/04/09 Fri
• I just finished an intriguing little book, "Now and Then", by Jacqueline Sheehan, that has a theme of time travel to Ireland of 1844 from 2008. I have to admit, the book was a little ham-handed in some areas (particularly the description of time travel, which seemed to be to be a pretty rough way to go, especially if you couldn't swim!). But it was a quick read, and it's definitely airplane-worthy! Sorry I've been MIA -- now that both kids are in college and my husband has gone back to school, hopefully I'll have a little more time to play. (NT) -- Lady Diane B, 20:43:55 09/05/09 Sat
  • Hi, welcome back! (NT) -- FranS, 22:51:00 09/05/09 Sat
  • Hi there! So nice to 'see' you! (NT) -- Denise, 06:25:08 09/08/09 Tue

• I won't throw anything at you. FC was the worst, IMO. ABOSAA brought me back though. I'll probably read this one, but not feeling the rush to get it like I thought I would 5 years ago (or whenever the last one came out). Maybe I'll ask for it for Christmas? anywhoo, you're entitled to your opinion, E. I am anticipating Cindy's next book more...*wink, wink, nudge, nudge* Ms. Brandner....*g* (NT) -- Lil, 20:02:34 08/11/09 Tue
  • Me, too, really looking forward to Cindy's #3. Absolutely agree, FC was awful. I thought ABOSAA should have been entitled, 'The Perils of Claire.' ;-) (NT) -- Elaine, 21:43:12 08/11/09 Tue
    • Yes, yes, yes Book 3 from Cindy is on the top of my list and I've got a spot for it on my bookshelf in our room. *tingly with anticipation* (NT) -- Tracy, 10:13:41 08/12/09 Wed
      • Right now I feel like if I was writing any slower, I'd be actually 'un-telling' the story. :) After I get home from the Shindig, I'll have to really get focused a little more here. The stack of finished chapters is steadily growing though, I can tell you that much. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 14:52:20 08/12/09 Wed
        • That's really good Cindy! ;) (NT) -- Tracy, 18:44:41 08/12/09 Wed
• Elaine, I tend to agree with you. I really hope she is done with all the rape stuff as a plot device. That really turned me off in ABOSAA. Enough is enough. If there is another rape scene in the next book, that will be the end for me. (NT) -- Mari L., 11:40:00 08/12/09 Wed
  • So 3 rapes in a series of 6 is unpalatable, as opposed to 2 for 2? (grin) Alright, just for discussion's sake, how is rape used as a plot device in one story (The Outlander series) different from rape as a plot device used in another (Unicorn series)? Not throwing any rock-filled socks...but I am intrigued. I personally enjoy every book in the Outlander series. I also enjoyed the 2 books in the EU series. (NT) -- Tess, 12:56:24 08/12/09 Wed
    • Not to appear too stupid here, being that I wrote it, but who do you consider raped in 'Mermaid'? I'm guessing Lawrence, though there is no actual rape scene per se. I'm just curious, btw. (NT) -- celtgirl (), 13:20:59 08/12/09 Wed
      • Yes, I am guessing Lawrence. Is that not true? I've read the books once, so I could be muddling details, so perhaps the implication is that I am the stupid one. (NT) -- Tess, 13:36:53 08/12/09 Wed
        • No, I wasn't implying that at all, Tess- and I apologize sincerely, if I sounded like that's what I meant. I just am thinking we may be looking at it differently. Because Lawrence was a child prostitute, I didn't think of it as a rape sort of situation- is it horribly wrong- yes. I guess I'm just viewing it differently contextually speaking. I really wasn't trying to imply that you were mistaken or anything, or come across as squiffy, there's just a couple of places where you may have felt that way, but I wasn't viewing it in quite that light from an authorial POV. The only reason I phrased it the way I did, is because when I'm working on the current book the last book can become a bit of a blur for me, and maybe there was something in 'Mermaid' I myself, wasn't remembering. (NT) -- celtgirl (), 13:44:47 08/12/09 Wed
          • Well, like I said...I may have detailed muddled. For me the 1st pass through is a 'what happens next' reading, and usually a wee bit on the fast side. That usually leaves me with impressions of things that may not necessarily be quite what is within the details. For example, I was left with the impression that Lawrence's final encounter wasn't a willing one. (NT) -- Tess, 14:01:36 08/12/09 Wed
            • No, certainly not a good one, but he went there knowing there would be some form of sex, just not what the outcome would be, and certainly you would be justified in considering that rape. I was partly thinking in terms that there is no actual rape scene, per se, the way there was in EU. (NT) -- celtgirl, 14:10:49 08/12/09 Wed
              • True, though his 'being found dead' scene was traumatic enough (grin). Left me with the feeling that, whether he went there on purpose, what happened ultimately wasn't with his consent...ho's can say no......And for the sake of the discussion I was trying to bring forth....what you just mentioned, the lack/presence of an actual -rape scene- may be the issue for folks. Or either it's the number of victims? That's what I am curious to know. I just read a book recently where I hit my 'rape threshold,' but it was apparently -everyone- was either abused or the abuser...and all in one book. Ee gads. (NT) -- Tess, 14:18:59 08/12/09 Wed
                • Or possibly that all the victims come from the same family? (NT) -- celtgirl, 14:44:56 08/12/09 Wed
    • I'm going to go long, so come inside if you wish >>> -- Carla, 18:31:08 08/12/09 Wed
  • Hi, Mari. I'm also weary of rapes and kidnappings. Yowza, when Brianna was kidnapped by that pirate guy in the last book, I had to force myself to read through it. >> -- Elaine, 14:22:27 08/12/09 Wed
    • I agree Elaine. I think to go beyond 6000 words on any character/story is just stretching. But there are people who want to read it so she does it though its' begun to feel like a soap opera to me. I can't believe that this won't even be the last. She says there will be another. (NT) -- susiej, 15:44:39 08/14/09 Fri
      • I read an article somewhere that said there will be nine books in the series total. So two more after this one. (NT) -- celtgirl, 15:58:45 08/14/09 Fri
        • Wow. Whenever I read a series, I always feel compelled to finish it, but I don't know how I can handle 9 of this story. The main characters are really aging now, too. I'm not an agist! But it's going to be hard to believe there can be many more wild escapades in Jamie and Claire's advancing years, and I don't usually find the secondary characters to be nearly as interesting, with the possible exception of the nephew, Ian. I thoroughly enjoyed all 12 books in the Poldark series, and all the books in the LC and HoN, but the main characters aged much more slowly and the secondary characters were so fascinating and engaging. The series ended about the time when the main characters became grandparents. (NT) -- E, 23:07:47 08/15/09 Sat
          • I was referring to the Poldark series in that last sentence above, sorry if I wasn't clear. (NT) -- E, 23:09:41 08/15/09 Sat
• I've re-read the first three books of the series multiple times -- probably upwards of 15. Maybe 3 or so with FC and DOA, and then maybe twice . . ? I, too, wearied of the incessent rapes. But I have to admit that I am curious as to how Brianna and Roger are faring in the future :-) (NT) -- Lady Diane B, 20:33:15 09/05/09 Sat

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• Both very good, Tracy, particularly the Tim Pat Coogan bio. about Michael Collins. The Path to Freedom is more of a political manifesto. Michael Collins was a man who was ahead of his time and like many visionaries didn't live to see his work come to fruition. (NT) -- celtgirl, 19:01:28 08/12/09 Wed
  • I read a quote from Collins who said he thought he had signed his death warrant when he signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty. (NT) -- Tracy, 19:08:09 08/12/09 Wed
    • I think he knew he was putting the noose around his own neck, but it was absolutely the most they were going to get from the British at that time, and he knew it. So I think it was a matter of two steps forward and one step back, but he felt that was better than no forward movement at all, and that eventually they would get the other counties in a united Ireland as well, it would just take time. He is a man I would time travel for. :) (NT) -- celtgirl (), 19:10:46 08/12/09 Wed
• I have the Traveling Irish Book Trac :-) I will be listening and reading as soon as I get my Mermaid chapters together...then it's off to Elaine - I promise within the next week. Looking forward to hearing those lovely Irish voices - hope I can keep it together when it's Colin & Bono speaking to me *g* (NT) -- Mahri, 19:31:21 08/12/09 Wed
• Tracy, I have a couple of Coogan's books, he's a good writer. I'm worried about the traveling book - how long should I keep it? What if the next person is going on the Shindig, won't that throw things off schedule? (NT) -- Elaine, 21:12:15 08/12/09 Wed
  • Eeek - I didn't know there was a schedule - time wise that is :-\ It goes to Rebecca after you so the Shindig's not an issue. Now I'm worried you won't have enough time with it before the Shindig though. (NT) -- Mahri, 06:44:06 08/13/09 Thu
    • Maybe you should just skip me, Marilyn. Go ahead and send it on to Rebecca. With Adam's move and the Shindig coming up, I really don't have time right now. But thanks for thinking of me! (NT) -- E, 16:34:17 08/13/09 Thu
      • Hey E, do you want to just move your position on the list? I think Fran is after Rebecca then it goes west to Nalana and finally Cindy. Maybe we can move you to after Rebecca or after Fran - what do you think? (NT) -- Mahri (oops lost me head), 17:06:13 08/13/09 Thu
        • Oh, there is no schedule or time limit at all - I was just asking because I was curious. So, take your time reading and listening and no no no rush at all. Now, that being said....Mahri you will have to let the book go after 6 months of listening to Colin and Bono but you can have it for 'seconds' once the other Shammie's have had it. :) (NT) -- Tracy, 19:31:54 08/13/09 Thu
          • Hahaha, I'll move it along in the next week (much as I'll hate to be w/o the boyo's voices :-) (NT) -- Mahri, 20:03:19 08/13/09 Thu

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• BTW, with all of my recent road trips, I've been listening to ABOSAA on CD in the truck. This is my first re-read(?) of ABOSAA, omg, I'd somehow forgotten how much DG put into that book, what a roller coaster. And Davina Porter is absolutely awesome. If anyone hasn't listened to her interpretation of one of DG's books, I highly recommend a listen! (NT) -- PeggyB, 22:00:44 07/08/09 Wed
• Nasty rampant spammers. Thanks for using your powers of good to defeat their evil ways, Peggy. (NT) -- Elaine, 07:10:31 07/09/09 Thu
• yes, thanks for all you do Peggy! (NT) -- susiej, 18:22:19 07/13/09 Mon

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• Sounds like a good plan, Nalana. Thanks for keeping us organized! (NT) -- E, 07:15:34 06/28/09 Sun
• The re-read has officially started! See you in the Cottage. (NT) -- Carla, 07:33:46 06/28/09 Sun
• I picked up "Waiting for Time" at the library yesterday but I wondered how I was going to keep up with two discussions, my own reading material and being out of town for much to the time. I may or may not read it now, at least there's no pressure. Nalana, I've been meaning to email you regarding "Crow Lake". Is is possible for me to change to the first week of discussions? I'm going to be gone for most of that book discussion, which is a shame, but I'd be around for most of the first week and can email you with the last few days to post if I take the first week. (NT) -- Denise, 09:27:56 06/28/09 Sun
  • Denise, we have moved the discussion to October (see dates above), so if you'd like to volunteer for it then, that would be great. With the EU/Mermaid discussion, it seemed considerate to everyone to move the discussion. Hopefully we'll get to Waiting for Time this year also. Here's the schedule for Crow Lake inside>>> -- Lil, 09:43:00 06/28/09 Sun
    • Sorry for the misunderstanding - I AM talking about October. I'll be on a cruise for most of the discussion in October, probably leaving the 22nd and gone for over two weeks. It would be easier to start the discussion and have it prepared ahead of time. I should be around for the last week but I'll be bagged I'm sure and back to work full time. (NT) -- Denise, 10:47:03 06/28/09 Sun
      • Well that would be me misunderstanding...sorry about that! I'll be glad to put you on the first week. And if you want to send me your summaries/questions for posting, I'd be happy to assist. :-) (NT) -- Lil, 11:07:39 06/28/09 Sun
• Sounds good Nalana. Sorry I couldn't help out with both discussions. I knew that I wouldn't be able to get through WFT and attend to do with enough diligence required for a discussion. (NT) -- Tracy, 11:45:58 06/28/09 Sun
  • Sheesh, I will speak English properly tomorrow ;). I forgot to say that Nalana, you can assign me any time for the WFT and Crow Lake discussions. (NT) -- Tracy, 18:50:03 06/28/09 Sun
    • Thanks, Tracy. I'm still deciding if WFT will work during those weeks between the US Thanksgiving and Christmas. Everyone is usually so busy then. But I'll keep you on my list for Crow Lake. :-) (NT) -- Lil, 08:37:52 06/29/09 Mon
      • LOL! Everytime I see WFT, I read it as WTF and wonder why people are mad and can't figure out WTF they are mad at? LOL! (NT) -- Tracy, 17:43:22 06/29/09 Mon
• I'll post for Crow Lake and WFT, Nalana. Just assign me something. No plans for being out of town anymore this year after the Shindig. (NT) -- E, 14:45:56 06/28/09 Sun
  • Thanks, E. :-) (NT) -- Lil, 18:22:59 06/28/09 Sun