What are you reading the week of March 6, 2011?

[DUgosh]

Finishing School by Michelle Martinez

[Poiuyt]

1. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

Some of the most beautiful writing I have ever read. It's not lyrical, but rather the phrases he uses -- he has a unique way of putting things.

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. I just read the first few pages online and you are right. Delightful writing.

Very much like Rick Bragg, one of my favorite authors.
Also Tom Franklin's writing ( tho his stories, often set in turn of the century South, are dark).

[japple]

11. I LOVED that book. The girl reminded me of Scout Finch just a

bit. I also liked his 2nd book--it was a rollicking adventure and pretty funny, too.

[Poiuyt]

12. The whole book has made me think of To Kill A Mockingbird

Slice of life, story told by a child, rural setting, with a larger than life, yet humble father.

Or am I wrong? Don't ruin it for me though! I'm only half way through.

[fadedrose]

13. I looked up Leif Enger and...

was surprised to learn that he writes fiction - mysteries. I only read mysteries at this stage in life, so maybe I'll try him.

Have you read any of the books in teh Gun Pederson series? Any good?





http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/E_Authors/Enger_L-L.html#Leif

[Poiuyt]

15. I'm like you

I usually just read mystery/thrillers, but I read this one on the glowing advice of a friend. It took me a little bit of time to get into it since it's not a page turner type book, but now I'm hooked.

Never heard of Gun Pederson. It looks like those books were written by the brother team of Leif and Lin (as L. L. Enger).

[fadedrose]

23. I thought "Lin" was short for Linda...

He just might have a brother named "Linda," because their Daddy wanted him to be tough. Doesn't explain "Leif" then.

You know, like Johnnie Cash and "Sue." :)

Pederson, it says, was a recluse. Ah, a soulmate. Think I'll try him.

[fadedrose]

28. Oh,,,

The reason I was surprised it was a mystery was because of the title, Peace Like a River. Sounds like travelogue...

I would have called it No Peace by This River.

Nonetheless, I will put it on hold at the library because of the glowing remarks of other posters on this...and thank you.

[fadedrose]

41. Didn't care for it much

It is a delightful style of writing, but I like my mysteries with simpler sentences. Had to spend too much time rereading sentences that it made me sleepy. I like writing to flow and stop you cold every once in a while.

A lot of religion too - detracts from the main story and competes with it.

[peacebird]

2. not fiction but "Mountain Nature - A seasonal natural history of the Southern Appalachains"

by Jennifer Frick-Ruppert

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. That sounds like a lovely topic.

I will have to look into it.

[PDJane]

3. Um............

Right now, reading Salvation in Death.
Tomorrow, Hedge 22.
Next week, Prosperity Without Growth by Tim Jackson and The Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson.

[jemelanson]

4. I always have several books going at any time.

this Week

The First Sex by Elizabeth Gould Davis
Man Made God by Barbara G. Walker
The Body Sacred by Dianne Sylvan

That about covers it for now.

[MindandSoul]

5. "The Magician Assistant" by Ann Patchett

[vixengrl]

6. Eighty Years and More--Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

I've never really looked into the history of feminism until really recently. I finished Wollstonecraft's Vindication of the Rights of Woman not long ago. I wouldn't mind if anyone wanted to point me towards some other meaningful related literature. Also in my "reading pile", Sheila Rowbotham's Dreamers of a New Day: Woman who Invented the Twentieth Century. I think this one would be of great interest to any progressive for an historical perspective that I really think conservatives want us to lose, and want to expunge our kids from learning, and want to roll back all of--I genuinely think it isn't just abortion as choice that's at stake, but contraception, education, sufferage (for any 'undesireable' this time, not just women being disenfranchised). Organization, physical courage, and mutual education about our various stories, needs, and reassertion of our requirements for a successful and functional democracy, all this must be part of the taking of our personal business back into the political street.

It's pretty fascinating reading.

[fadedrose]

7. BROKEN HEARTLAND by J. M. Hayes

About characters Mad Dog and Englishman . . .

R (not the book, the thread:) )


(Fiction - mystery)

Book 16

[fadedrose]

25. This was pretty good...

I didn't like Prairie Gothic very much, but the others in the Mad Dog & Englishman series were okay. I'll on with the next, but not yet...

[saras]

8. A lot

I'm an English major...

aside from required reading (17 books, of which I'm into about five right now), I'm currently reading Sinclair Lewis's Elmer Gantry, Sue Kidd's Secret Life Of Bees, an anthology of spy fiction excerpts put together by Graham and Hugh Greene, called The Spy's Bedside Book, Smith & Emshwiller's 24 Days. I'm looking for Bastard Out Of Carolina locally, but not very hard.

[JitterbugPerfume]

14. Venus on the Half Shell

by Kilgore Trout, who writes just like Kurt Vonnegut.:evilgrin:

[MaineDem]

16. The worst book I have ever read, "The Outlaws" by W.E.B. Griffin

The sixth and latest in the Presidential Agent series. I can't begin to list all the things wrong with this book. (Audiobook.)

The narrator was horrid. The previous books were all read by the same actor; this was a new narrator. The over-18-hour book was mostly a recap of the previous books. The hero is a jerk. I'm tired of the characters referring to Arabs as "ragheads." Too many mentions of Fox News. And so on and so on. I will never get those hours back. Very disappointing.

Maybe I'm not the target audience. I assume more men read these books than women. Maybe men like the idea of the hero's girlfriend being overly possessive - and his allowing it. Creepy!

Now on to "The Girl Who Played With Fire."

[fadedrose]

17. But other than the things you mentioned...

you liked it very much?

[MaineDem]

18. Nope. I was hoping I would like it but I couldn't.

But I did finish it.

[fadedrose]

20. I forgot something on my last post...

the "sarcasm" thingy....I was kidding....if I knew how to make that "sarcasm" thingy, I would have. You wouldn't happen to know how, would you?

[MaineDem]

21. I thought so

:-)

You mean this? :sarcasm: colon sarcasm colon (no spaces)

[fadedrose]

22. How'd you do that?

I spent a half-hour looking thru "options" and "help," and found nothing.

[MaineDem]

24. "Smilies lookup table" link is above the Subject when you type a message

Under Message Options.

But, I wonder if it disappeared for a while. I spent a while looking for it, too, and then it was there.

[fadedrose]

27. Thank you!

This :dunce: should have known that. You are an O8). I am :bounce: with joy.

Oh, getting back to W.E.B. Griffin...I only read one of his books and thought it was too freakin long. Not a great fan - his books are good, but a whole week they ain't worth.

Thanks for your help.
fadedrose, an old :hippie: (that's a hippie, not a bald Indian...

[hippywife]

19. Still not having much time to read these days, but...

I did pick up Garrison Keillor's Homegrown Democrat at our annual garage sale at work. Only getting in a page or two when I drop into bed at night, and still have two books to pick up at the library! Oy!

:hi:

[japple]

31. You're going to have to stop playing chicken doctor!

Seriously, I know you're designing and making jewelry and now a website boutique. I hope you're getting enough rest. Take care, my friend. :hi:

[fadedrose]

26. THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE by Alan Bradley

Just starting it..









Book 17

[Luciferous]

33. Let me know if it's any good, it's on my to-read list.

[fadedrose]

39. It was very good

It has favorable comment in it by Louise Penney who writes the Armand Gamache mysteries that take place in Toronto. Try these also. The TheCentepedeShoes turned me onto Penney.

Surprised me that Alan Bradley was born in Toronto and was 70 when he wrote subject title, his first novel. I'll be reading the next two in the Flavia series. I hope they're as good - humor, mystery, and not too many a dull moment with this kid.

There's a lot of British terms that I didn't know, but you can figure out what they mean by how they're used. They add, not detract, from the story.

[Luciferous]

42. Thanks, I'll have to pick it up.

[AngryOldDem]

29. "Animal Dreams" by Barbara Kingsolver.

I am in awe of this woman's talent and am sorry I didn't give her a chance earlier. Next up is "The Poisonwood Bible." And yes, when I find an author I like, I tend to go on reading jags where I read all of his or her works in succession.

[japple]

30. Jonathan Tropper's book, This is Where I Leave You

Funny, sad, good writing. I really like this book.

[Luciferous]

32. Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride. I also read The Book

of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern, Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. I've been reading a LOT lately :)

[Shiver]

34. Do audiobooks count?

I just finished listening to The Black Prism by Brent Weeks, with the worst audiobook reader I have ever heard. Complete lack of emotion and too much over enunciation. It was like having my computer read something to me. Other than that, and a few small issues, I enjoyed the story.

Also reading (actual reading, not listening) Wise Man's Fear, by Patrick Rothfuss, which I got signed on Wednesday. Damn good, and totally worth the wait.

[hippywife]

35. All books count in this thread,

even non-fiction. We just want to see what everyone is reading each week, no matter what it is. :hi:

[hippywife]

36. I'm reading two non-fiction.

At Home by Bill Bryson. Not really what I had hoped it would be so far, but I'll give it another few pages or so to see if I warm up to it.

Just Kids by Patti Smith. Love her writing style and so far love the book.

:hi:

[japple]

37. That's on the new book shelf at my library. I'll put it on my list

:hi:

[hippywife]

38. Hi, sweets!

I think you'll like it. :hi:

[fadedrose]

40. Don't know what book to read next...

Finished "Sweetness.." and worked on planting flower seeds all afternoon. Time to start a new book. This is what I have on hand.
Felt like screwing around on the keyboard...does anything appeal to anyone who would be so kind as to suggest the next one? I think I'm gonna end up with Doss, I kinda miss him...


Darkness, Take My Hand
by Lehane, Dennis

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
by Larsson, Stieg,

Peace Like a River
by Enger, Leif

The President's Assassin
by Haig, Brian

Sacred
by Lehane, Dennis

Snake Dreams
by Doss, James D.

So Brave, Young and Handsome
by Enger, Leif

Stone Butterfly
by Doss, James D.

Three Sisters
by Doss, James D.