Community Chat

[smoky22]

I read Negative Image, the 4th in the Constable Molly Smith series by Vicki Delany. They are set in British Columbia and are fairly interesting, more because of the characters than the plot.

Also read Espresso Tales, the 2nd in the 44 Scotland Series by Alexander McCall Smith. I'm really enjoying this series. I love the short chapters. You can pick up the book for any spare moment. And Bertie continues to be hilarious.

I'm about halfway through The Story Of A Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett. These are previous essays she wrote for various publications. They are non-fiction, but as with short stories, some are more interesting than others. I've never really been a fan of autobiographies of writers. When I read a novel, I like to imagine how the writer thinks. Reading how the process unfolds for the writer takes the mystery out of it for me. It's like being told how a magic trick is performed and the trick no longer seems magic.

[Lilysmom]

Just finished SYCAMORE ROW by John Grisham. I rate this 3 out of 5 stars. Grisham always has enjoyable characters and a good story. I was wishing there was more of a twist. I could figure this one out long before the story unfolded. A good read, but not great IMO. Enjoy. LM

[Linders Back]

On 2/6/2014 smokymtngal said:

I read Negative Image, the 4th in the Constable Molly Smith series by Vicki Delany. They are set in British Columbia and are fairly interesting, more because of the characters than the plot.

Also read Espresso Tales, the 2nd in the 44 Scotland Series by Alexander McCall Smith. I'm really enjoying this series. I love the short chapters. You can pick up the book for any spare moment. And Bertie continues to be hilarious.

I'm about halfway through The Story Of A Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett. These are previous essays she wrote for various publications. They are non-fiction, but as with short stories, some are more interesting than others. I've never really been a fan of autobiographies of writers. When I read a novel, I like to imagine how the writer thinks. Reading how the process unfolds for the writer takes the mystery out of it for me. It's like being told how a magic trick is performed and the trick no longer seems magic.

RE 44 Scotland Street Series: These were originally a serial column in the Edinburgh newspaper which is why the chapters are short . For those who are looking for fun audios to listen to while driving, this series is prefect. You can listen, laugh, and enjoy without having to concentrate too heavily so they don't distract from driving and the short chapters make these perfect for local shopping trips etc.. You don't have to wait for a long road trip.

[SWEET]

Finished Adriana Trigiani's The Supreme Macaroni Club. Not as good as her 1st two in this series but fast reading.

Onto Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen. Love her books.

[lainey1]

On 2/5/2014 Usedtobe said: Hi Lainey and all. First time poster here, though I've enjoyed this forum for several years. I love to read and am lucky enough to be able to volunteer at our local library every week. I read everything and anything! I just finished STILL LIFE WITH BREADCRUMBS by Anna Quindlen. It's about a photographer who finds her N.Y. City lifestyle unsustainable, rents out her apartment to pay her parent's nursing home bills, and retreats to the country to try and find inspiration to reinvigorate her career and bank account. It's one of the better books I've read recently. Next up is the Robert M. Gate's memoir.

Hi Usedtobe and welcome to the reading thread and posting. I hope you'll post here often to let us know what you're reading.

[sunala]

Happy February everyone!

Today I finished reading Whistling Past the Graveyard, by Susan Crandall. I absolutely loved it and felt so sorry when it ended. This is definitely a five-star book that I'm sure is going to live in my mind for a long time. I loved everything about it, and it ended exactly the way I wanted it to. If you haven't read it, please do.

I also read The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. I loved the first 3/4 or so of the book, but then it transitioned to becoming more factual, hence less entertaining. The two sisters, Sarah and Angelina Grimke, were based on real women who became abolitionists as well as suffragettes. I enjoyed their fictional characters much more than their real life personas. The transition was obvious to me as the reader, and the ending was factual rather than fictional.

It was too mixed up for me to enjoy. I don't think the author should have mixed up the facts and the fiction. Did anyone else feel this way?

I'm not sure what I'm going to start reading tonight. I think something light would be nice.

Have a great weekend and happy reading!

[Retreaded]

Thanks for your welcome, Lainey. I've been lurking here so long I have to pinch myself I'm actually posting! I finished THE CLOVER HOUSE by Henriette Power. It's her first novel and tells the story of a present day Greek-American woman trying to unravel a WWII mystery involving her mother and uncle. I recommend it. Just started DARK PLACES by Gillian Fly. Will let you know my opinion when I'm done.

[Lilysmom]

USEDTOBE, welcome to the book club! If you like Gillian Flynn's books, you may want to check out WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN. Look forward to your reviews. LM

[insomniac]

Lilysmom, I'm just curious as to why you're comparing Gillian Flynn (whose writing has not drawn good reviews) to Lionel Shriver (a brilliant author). Is it to show how bad Flynn is?

I've think very highly of Shriver: her books are most worthy!

[Lilysmom]

INSOMNIAC, happy Sunday! I think what made me compare the two books is ... Possible spoiler alert for those who haven't read either book ... That both stories are about personal relationships and both stories are told in the first person. I don't know about you but I find stories told in the first person really pull me into the story. With Gillian Flynn, as was evidenced here on these boards, it seems you either loved her or hated her. I enjoyed GONE GIRL. Her other books, not so much. I couldn't have read two of hers in a row. Too dark. I also was completely pulled into WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN. It left me with the same feeling at the end of the book ... I couldn't have done two like that in a row either. Such a sad situation. No spoilers I guess after all. Hope that sheds a little light for you. I am glad I read both of them and would recommend both. LM