Community Chat

[smoky22]

On 2/3/2015 Vamp said:

lol, smokymtngal, I read Bel Canto ages ago. I don't remember it being that bad, but it wasn't that memorable either. I just remember it was some kind of hostage situation, which is why I laughed at your comment. Doesn't say much for the book when a hostage situation is boring, does it?

Vamp, I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but it's endless admiration for this opera singer and how she transforms these 58 hostages into believing this is the best time they've ever had in their lives. It's peppered with supposedly deep and meaningful thoughts on life. I'm just curious on how she intends to end this book.

[MrsSweetieBear]

On 2/2/2015 Judaline said:

there are happier topics. I could never pick up a book like that. you know the, 'of all the books, in all the bookstores, in all the world.............' Just how I feel, no offense.

Not sure if you meant this comment for me regarding Five Days Left. But if so, yes there are happier topics for sure. I guess the same statement could be made about books about wars, the holocaust, slavery, racism, domestic abuse, kidnapping, rape, murder, poverty, addiction, cancer etc. etc. I wouldn't want a steady diet of any of them. But to never pick up a book unless it was a happier topic? I would have missed a lot of great books and a wealth of knowledge. I can't just read about sunshine and rainbows, violins and romance, madcap comedy. I tend to mix heavier material and lighter topics and read a variety of genres. That's what this book club forum is about.

[MrsSweetieBear]

On 2/3/2015 Vamp said:

On 2/3/2015 janey2 said:

I thought they were fantastic! I think I liked Dark Places better than Gone Girl, which I really liked. I read The Girl On the Train by Paula Hawkins, which is being compared to Gone Girl. I did not like it nearly as much as Gillian Flynn's books. I thought it was a very poor copy.

Thanks, Janey!

I actually really liked The Girl on the Train (as well as Gone Girl), so I will check out Gillian Flynn's other books.

Interesting comments both of you. I have The Girl On the Train on request at my library. I didn't like either of the popular Gillian Flynn books I read, Dark Places or Gone Girl. I'm planning on reading The Girl On the Train based on reviews said that it should not be compared, lol! Just figured I'd try it and see for myself...whenever it finally comes in. There is a long waiting list.

[smoky22]

On 2/3/2015 MrsSweetieBear said:

Interesting comments both of you. I have The Girl On the Train on request at my library. I didn't like either of the popular Gillian Flynn books I read, Dark Places or Gone Girl. I'm planning on reading The Girl On the Train based on reviews said that it should not be compared, lol! Just figured I'd try it and see for myself...whenever it finally comes in. There is a long waiting list.

I liked Gone Girl but I tried Flynn's other two books and they were too dark for me (didn't read them). I know The Girl on the Train has been compared to both Gone Girl and the Other Typist (which I didn't like) and I'm with you. I hope The Girl ... isn't like either one.

The waitlist was long for me, too, but it came around faster than I expected.

[Epicurean]

Have you all read the news. HARPER LEE. Has a new book coming out this summer. sorry I can't remember the name. It is about SCOUT, as a grown woman. She wrote it years and years ago and forgot about it. Her lawyer found the manuscript!!!!!!! Can't wait!!!!!! : ) just heard the latest news. she wrote this book before TKAM. And takes place twenty years later,when SCOUT goes home to visit her father!!!!!!

[glmama]

On 2/3/2015 Epicurean said: Have you all read the news. HARPER LEE. Has a new book coming out this summer. sorry I can't remember the name. It is about SCOUT, as a grown woman. She wrote it years and years ago and forgot about it. Her lawyer found the manuscript!!!!!!! Can't wait!!!!!! : ) just heard the latest news. she wrote this book before TKAM. And takes place twenty years later,when SCOUT goes home to visit her father!!!!!!

Hi Epicurean--Just heard about this on NPR today. I'm interested to read it and read reviews. And yes, they said a summer release!

[glmama]

On 2/3/2015 MrsSweetieBear said:

On 2/2/2015 Judaline said:

there are happier topics. I could never pick up a book like that. you know the, 'of all the books, in all the bookstores, in all the world.............' Just how I feel, no offense.

Not sure if you meant this comment for me regarding Five Days Left. But if so, yes there are happier topics for sure. I guess the same statement could be made about books about wars, the holocaust, slavery, racism, domestic abuse, kidnapping, rape, murder, poverty, addiction, cancer etc. etc. I wouldn't want a steady diet of any of them. But to never pick up a book unless it was a happier topic? I would have missed a lot of great books and a wealth of knowledge. I can't just read about sunshine and rainbows, violins and romance, madcap comedy. I tend to mix heavier material and lighter topics and read a variety of genres. That's what this book club forum is about.

Sweetie-I agree with you 100% on this one. Of course, I am always happy to meet fellow readers, regardless of what they like to read. I really do believe that just the ACT of reading opens our minds and gets things moving up there! I tend to do exactly what you do, Sweetie, I read my version of "fluffier" stuff (lately it's been Jojo Moyes's books, for instance), nothing too deep. Well written, yes, but nothing that will cause me to lose sleep. Purely engrossing for me. Sure some of the better written books in this category I read touch on some serious issues. But it's not in depth stuff. I was a member of a book club for many years. And one member always said, "Oh, it was so depressing", or that she didn't like a certain character and therefore either couldn't read or finish a certain book. Personally I never understood that. Why be in a book club then? You can certainly read what you want. But you join a book club, IMO, to be open to books you would not normally pick up. I like non-fiction, memoir, fiction, etc. I like it all.

[sunala]

Happy February, and thank you Lainey for our monthly book thread.

I'm also reading The Girl on the Train. I'm enjoying it and look forward to getting into bed in a few minutes to read. I had no idea it was being compared to Gone Girl. I don't see any similarities, but that's just me. If you enjoyed The Girl on the Train, I'd recommend The Book of You, by Claire Kendal. It also takes place in London. I read it recently and enjoyed it a lot.

Happy Reading!

[SydneyH]

I'm reading The Kind Worth Killing, a tale of a man contemplating killing his cheating spouse. Quite the page turner....

[Sagal]

I just finished THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN - loved it! Really kept me interested up to the end tho i guessed the outcome early in my reading. Still highly recommend this.