Community Chat

[insomniac]

The last several days, I've been reading Barbara Kingsolver's Flight Behavior for one of my book clubs. I adore this book! Every word has kept my interest, and I've learned so much!

Anyone else care to comment?

[smoky22]

I recently read this book, too, and I completely agree. I read every word, as you did. With most books I usually do some skimming, but not here. Not only is the story compelling, but the writing is beautiful. In my opinion, this is a very gifted author.

[smilealot]

I love Barbara Kingsolver and this one was beautiful, magical and thought-provoking. Glad the two of you enjoyed it as well. If you loved this one, you will adore her "Prodigal Summer". Happy reading!

[MrsSweetieBear]

Barbara Kingsolver is a favorite author of mine. I loved Flight Behavior.

[glmama]

Hi-Thanks for the recommendation. It seems like my list of To-Reads gets longer every day!

I am embarassed to say that although I am a life-long and avid reader, I don't think I've ever read anything by Barbara Kingsolver. Most of her books have been on my To-Read lists at one point or another.

I hang my head in shame.

[glmama]

Not even Poisonwood Bible.:-0 For those that love Kingsolver, where should I begin if I'd like to get an education?

[insomniac]

For those who haven't read much Kingsolver, I would suggest not starting with The Poisonwood Bible. Many people love it, but I found it kind of tedious.

I read Prodigal Summer first, and loved it. Then I just randomly selected more of her books, and that worked for me.

I also think Flight Behavior would be a fine one to start with--but I would caution that a great deal of the book describes the changing environment. I don't consider myself much of a science person, but I did find her explanations fascinating, so I was okay with that.

Her character development is sublime!

[smoky22]

On 6/24/2014 insomniac said:

For those who haven't read much Kingsolver, I would suggest not starting with The Poisonwood Bible. Many people love it, but I found it kind of tedious.

I read Prodigal Summer first, and loved it. Then I just randomly selected more of her books, and that worked for me.

I also think Flight Behavior would be a fine one to start with--but I would caution that a great deal of the book describes the changing environment. I don't consider myself much of a science person, but I did find her explanations fascinating, so I was okay with that.

Her character development is sublime!

I'm almost done with The Poisonwood Bible (about 60 pages to go) and I think it's an amazingly good book. I almost don't want to read another of her books because I'm afraid they can't possibly measure up to either of these two. It's nice to know you also enjoyed Prodigal Summer.

I had The Poisonwood Bible on my Kindle and couldn't get into it (too many voices, too hard to go back and forth). But I knew I wanted to read it so I got the hardcover book from the library and it was so much better. I could go back and forth to be sure whose voice I was reading and what time period it was.

I loved the Poisonwood Bible.

[glmama]

Thanks, insomniac & smoky. I think I'll go to the library today. I kinda feel like the authors they interview in the NYT Book Review every week. They ask them, What book are you embarrassed not have read? Well, for me, it's Barbara Kingsolver !

[lovescats]

I also recommend her nonfiction book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle about the year her family spent eating only local or homegrown food or doing without. This is really a good book it doesn't seem that it would be that interesting but it is. It was one of the first audio titles my library had when they went digital so see if your library has it.