What are you reading the week of May 08, 2010?

Dame Daphne du Maurier, Lady Browning DBE (13 May 1907 – 19 April 1989) was an English author and playwright. Many of her works have been adapted into films, including the novels Rebecca, which won the Best Picture Oscar in 1941; Jamaica Inn, and her short stories The Birds and Don't Look Now. The first three were directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Her elder sister was Angela du Maurier, also a writer. Her father was the actor Gerald du Maurier, and her grandfather was the writer George du Maurier.

Other author birthdays this week: Gary Snyder, Thomas Pynchon, Peter Benchley, J.M. Barrie, Alan Bennett, Jayne Cortez, Mari Sandoz, Armistead Maupin, Pat Barker, Andrei Voznesensky, Camilo Jose Cela, Jose Ortega y Gasset.

You’re back, teelgee! You’ve been missed. ‘What are you reading the week of...’ thread is just not the same without you. Welcome back.

I just this hour finished The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, which I thought was terrific. I need some time to think through my responses, as this book affected me very strongly. I will write a few paragraphs about it in a day or two on my 50 Book Challenge thread and post a review as well.

I'm going to spend time with some of my "between books" (collections and anthologies I read one story at a time between the full-length books I read) and then start A Nation of Sheep by William J. Lederer. Lederer was the co-author of the novel, The Ugly American. A Nation of Sheep is a 1950s manifesto about the venality of American foreign policy and the U.S. government in general, as well as a complaint about the complacency of the American people. I'm interested in reading this book as an historical artifact, more or less, and to see whether the ideas hold any water today.

I'm headed in in just a few minutes to resume The Secret Speech by Tom Rob Smith. I probably could have picked it up earlier today and finished it tonight, but I have to wait a couple of years for the third book in the series anyway, so there's no rush.

Robert

Thank you Porua!!! It's been hella busy for me these last few weeks, and more to come, I will probably miss the next two Fridays too, but then life returns to "normal" - whatever that is!

I'm reading Tracy Chevalier's newest novel, Remarkable Creatures and liking it lots.

Despite being a huge fan of all Daphne du Maurier's books and living pretty much on her doorstep I don't think I ever realised our birthdays are just one day apart - how nice! A very happy birthday to Dame Daphne.

I just wound up Sovereign, the third in the Shardlake series, and am moving on to my ER book for this month, Reclaiming the F Word - looks like a fun read.

Terri- Welcome back! And yes, you are missed! We've been trying to pick up the slack but it's just not the same!

I finished Neverwhere. It was my first Neil Gaiman and a terrific introduction to his work. I started a short novel called Chess Story, that has been highly recommended and it's so far deserving. Also doing the Norwegian Wood Group Read and that's been highly enjoyable too!

i just finished and reviewed the chilling Murder City: Ciudad Juárez and the Global Economy's New Killing Fields by Charles Bowden. I seem to be on a nonfiction kick right now, and am likely to start The Eitingons by Mary-Kay Wilmers next.

Ooh that reminds me that I'll have to start on my du Maurier book for May soonish - I'm probably going to go with The Birds and other Stories as it's pretty short so I can read the individual stories around my exam revision.

I'm also still reading Dreaming of Amelia as I haven't been in much of a reading mood before I go to bed for the last few days but I may try and get it finished this weekend.

Welcome teelgee! I missed you too! I'm sure you're anticipating that return to normal!!

I am reading The Long Song and enjoying it so far.

Still reading The Owl Killers

Still reading Thelonius Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original which I'm enjoying. I've also just started reading Constantinople: City of The World's Desire which promises to be enjoyable.

I'm reading Framley Parsonage by Anthony Trollope - it is the fourth Barsetshire book and so far I love it (Mrs. Proudie is back!!). I'm also starting Juliet Barker's massive biography The Brontes.

I've finished The Last Town On Earth by Thomas Mullen. I thought it was brilliant and it's the 4th book to recieve 5 stars from me this year! Review posted.

Later today I'll be starting The Black Sun by James Twining

I'm still reading Peace Like a River. I'm liking it, but not loving it.

First Light by Rebecca Stead was good, although I found it a bit odd. Reminded me somehow of M. Night Shyalaman's The Village.

I'm continuing with The Shadow of the Wind, and picked up Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict. I enjoyed the first one, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict.

Continuing on with my two group reads of Norwegian Wood and Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs; both the books and the groups have been great. I'm reading my first book by David Lodge. Love that British wit in Therapy.

I'm thoroughly enjoying Season of Ash by the Mexican author Jorge Volpi, which I'm reading for the Reading Globally monthly theme (Mexico). I'll start Norwegian Wood for the group read either later today or tomorrow, along with The Pen and the Sword: Conversations with Edward Said by David Barsamian.

Finishing up More Die of Heartbreak and Let the Great World Spin. Book club this week !!

My main reads at the moment are Bedlam: London and its Mad by Catharine Arnold - a library book with an ever-nearing due date - and Teen Valour by Alaric Adair, a Member Giveaway book from a few months ago. And I still have the Nirvana-related Cobain Unseen by Charles Cross and Come As You Are by Michael Azerrad lurking in the background, and The Count of Monte Cristo whispering to me accusingly every time I wander past with another book in my hands...

Find-it-later post

Just finished Still Life by Louise Penny. There's not much to add to what a lot of people here have been saying, so suffice it to say I found it just as fabulous, if not more, than what you all had led me to expect.

Still reading City of Dreaming Books and have started listening to The Phantom of the Opera as my before-bed audiobook.

I continue listening to Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell and reading Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa.

I finished reading Brian McGilloway, Borderlands today, 1st in a mystery series about an Irish police detective. I quite liked it and will be looking for a copy of the next, but I don't know if I'll buy it or just borrow from the library.

Now reading:

So Much to Tell by Valerie Grove - a biography of Kaye Webb who ran Puffin Books, the children's books section of Penguin - I'm going to review it for the Bookbag.

Manhattan Noir, ed Lawrence Block, a crime short story anthology.

A Compass Error by Sybille Bedford - Virago Modern Classic edition

Cold Shoulder Road by Joan Aiken - #9 in Wolves of Willoughby Chase series - Is and Arun Twite are returning home from their adventures in the previous book - but surprise surprise, more adventures to go.

A Very Great Profession by Nicola Beauman - about the novels written describing middle class English women's lives between the wars in the 20th century - mentions many of the books reprinted by Virago and Persephone.

Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction by Sue Townsend - Adrian is getting up to his neck in debt and various other troubles.

A Darker Domain by Val McDermid - A Scottish detective looks into two cold cases. Very good so far.

I think I'll also start my Early Reviewer book this weekend, Jane Smiley, Private Life

Stillll working on Under the Dome but that's because I also started Dirty Little Angels by C. Tusa and got sucked in.

I finished This Must be the Place by Anna Winger. It was for a RL book group, because it was supposed to be set during the reunification of Berlin. It wasn't, and it was shaky at the start. It really redeemed itself. Excellent book.

I am now reading The Algebraist by Iain M. Banks for a RL book group. Really overwritten, can't tell if its a joke, he took Space Opera too seriously, or got his first book ever published based on his current fame.

I finished and reviewed the classic and wonderful Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier (just in time for her birthday, apparently).

Now I'm well into The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian.

Finished and reviewed my ER-book for May, The Running Waves, and am now reading Ghost Heart by Cecilia Samartin.

Welcome back Terri. Thanks for the Du Maurier info and pic!

I finished Ann Cleeves' The Sleeping and the Dead. I thought it was a great mystery.

This week I've started The Twin by Gerbrand Bakker which seems really interesting and I plan to start my ER book, Girl in Translation which everyone seems to love so I'm really looking forward to it.

Also for the group read, I'm having fun reading and sharing Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs.

After watching Super Saver win the Kentucky Derby last Saturday, I decided to read Seabiscuit: An American Legend. I get immersed in the story each time I open it up.

#1 teelgee, #6 Booksloth, #9 Ladyviolet, #27 brenzi...Daphne du Maurier is on of my favorite authors also. My favorite is probably "Rebecca" which I first read after seeing Alfred Hitchcock's film "Rebecca" (also a favorite). I then read all of the du Maurier titles I could find. I have re-read "Rebecca" several times, and also watched a recent PBS TV-movie adaptation (not as exciting as the Hitchcock version, but still enjoyable).

Currently, I'm continuing my re-read of "Life Sentences" by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey.

I finished Seeing in the Dark on Thursday, and read a few pages of Fallen Founder at lunch yesterday. I'm not getting into it, but that may be because I'm only a few dozen (very short) rows done from finishing a shawl -- just in time for summer.

Welcome back, teelgee.

#31 I also love the Hitchcock version of Rebecca, even though he made one great big huge almost-impossible-to-forgive change to the story. Why? Why did he do that? I still don't understand.

Yay, glad to have you back teelgee.

My reading is all messed up this week. I finished, loved and reviewed Mistress of the Art of Death and started listening to, rather than reading, The Given Day because it seems I'm going to have more time to listen than to read for a while. I started reading Shades of Grey but had to put it aside to read The Murderer's Daughters because it's due back at the library tomorrow and is non renewable. I'm thinking there will be late fines involved here.

Still working on Fragile Beasts.

Have just begun Shirley Jackson's Life Among the Savages. It's very funny and a far cry from The Lottery!

I've just read 4 YA books in 2 days... not sure what to read next. Maybe Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey for a group read.

Dame Daphne Du Maurier is a favorite: Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel have are at home on my library shelves.

What am I reading the week of May 8, 2010: The Long Song a novel by Andrea Levy -- an exciting find after a lazy evening viewing of a short film series of her book Small Island which was on Masterpiece Theater.

After seeing the Masterpiece Theater Small Island I think I need to read the book. I felt the movie series was incomplete, I wonder if the books leaves the reader feeling as cheated.

I sure don't recall feeling cheated, Joyce -- it was a wonderful book, imo.

eta thanks for all the welcomes back!!!

teelgee I've heard mostly glowing reviews of Small Island. Probably, even though the series was 4 hours long, they had to cut important parts that might have made for more cohesion in the story line.

To all the Rebecca fans - my personal favourite of all the filmed versions is a BBC series that was on over here back in the late 70's starring Joanna David and Jeremy Brett. As far as I know it is still available on DVD from The BBC. David was the perfect '2nd Mrs de Winter' and no significant liberties were taken with the original story. Many years later David's daughter Emilia Fox took over the leading role and also did a very good job against the rather wooden version of Maxim as portrayed by the (also rather wooden) Charles Dance.

#31, 43 Hitchcock's version of "The Birds" also departs from du Maurier's short story -- hers is briefer and creepier.

#44 Oh boy are you right there! Barely even the same story!

# 5 You are most welcome, teelgee!

Last night I finished reading the play Every Man in His Humor by Ben Johnson. Now I’ll get back to If on a Winter's Night a Traveler.

I finished Things I've Been Silent About by Azar Nafisi. It is very good but the stories Nafisi tells about her mother! This book is about troubled relationships.
I have just started Italian Fever by Valerie Martin and am enjoying it.

The past few weeks have been really busy, so not as much reading as I would like. I finished A Soldier's Duty, Konstantine Rokossovsky's memoir of World War II.

Then I read Farm to Factory, Robert Allen's analysis of economic growth in the Soviet Union during the Stalin era. I'm not an economist, but I found the book compellingly argued. He left some questions unanswered, and his view runs slightly contrary to the majority, so I think that I'll seek out some additional works on the same subject. Still, it was a very hard slog for me. I had to spend a lot of time looking up terminology with which I was unfamiliar.

Last night I began Joseph Conrad's Under Western Eyes, a book which literally starts off with a bang as one of the main characters assassinates a Russian Minister with a bomb.

Yesterday finished Cleopatra's Daughter and started The Virgin Queen's Daughter. Do I detect a theme going on here?

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mom's on LT.

I'm working on Motherless Brooklyn right now, which centers on a man with Tourette Syndrome dealing with the death of his boss at a small, low-brow spy agency. I've put it down the last couple days though- somehow I don't feel inspired to finish it, which I guess doesn't constitute a glowing review.

Also, happy Mothers' Day!

>42 Citizenjoyce: I was disappointed that the Masterpice Theater version of Small Island omitted Bernard's story entirely; there was nothing about his time in India/Burma which I felt was essential to the plot. I know they can't get evrything in but I felt they needed to include that.

I've finished Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan and started The Seville Communion by Arturo Pérez-Reverte.

My family has just left after spending a week visiting at my new house, so I am continuing to read Parsley,Sage, Rosemary, and Crime by Tamar Myers. Hope everyone is having a lovely Mother's Day!

Can't seem to get touchstones to cooperate. :/

I finished The Cougar Club by Susan McBride.

I started Hourglass by Claudia Gray the third in the Evernight series.

Well, today, I am reading Rebel Angels. This week I've read The Cure and In My Enemy's House, both by Carol Matas. Then, I read Massive,which I found shocking because it exposed her mother's hereditarily passed down beliefs that you can never be too thin, and that beauty cannot be achieved unless you are thin. I do not encourage obesity, yet the other extreme is even more dangerous, because while trying not to harm your body by becoming overweight, you are hurting it more because your body begans taking nutrients form your organs, because you are not getting enough to eat. Anyway, I also read Copy Cat by Erica Spindler which was one of many endings that caused me to fall on the floor. Then, I read Taking Liberty which I sorely appreciated because it discreetly addressed the issue of "servants" being brainwashed into loving their owners. Next was, Finishing Becca which is by Ann Rinaldi who also wrote Taking Liberty. Peggy Shippen resembled Charlotte in the Pullman Postcard series; selfish, evil, conniving, malicious person. The only difference was Charlotte improved her attitude; Peggy died evil. Soon after, I read The Plague by Joanne Dahme, which was a fantasy. Very sinister plots including terrorizing rats, a princess imposter, and a reference to London's deadly pestilince. Murder of a Wedding Belle was enjoyable as Miss Swanson always makes her books. And finally, Of Two Minds, which is also by Mrs.Matas. It was a fantasy which included mind readers, royalty, and power. So if you ask, I have had a very busy week. I hope yours was and will be as enjoyable as mine.

I watched the movie Peacock earlier. It was marverlous; very deep and sophisticated...ambitious. I was wordless at the end.

Oh, eley ~ Killer Angels! What an amazing book! Wish I could read it for the first time again. A reread will be in order soon. Enjoy!

I'm in the mood for longer, challenging, twisty fiction reads after finishing the amazing Special Topics in Calamity Physics, so am starting The Eight tonight.

I finished Death in the Clouds last night and will be starting Girl with a Pearl Earring tomorrow during lunch. Still reading The Complete Fairytales of the Brothers Grimm at bedtime, and probably will be for a while.

Finally finished Peace Like a River and I think I liked it okay, but it didn't blow me away. Now alternating between Section 5 of Wolf Hall for a readalong I'm doing and House Rules by Jodi Picoult which, so far, I'm enjoying more than I expected, given the negative reviews I've seen and the way I felt about the last book of hers I read.

Still reading China: a new history by J.K. Fairbank, an excellent general history of China. Have just finished and will be posting a review on Death and Life of the Great American School System by Diane Ravitch.

Last night I finished The Secret Speech and started Inside the Stalin Archives. I read on in the latter a little bit today; I'm not too happy with it but will probably finish it.

Robert

I finished The Chief Factor's Daughter this evening and reviewed it. In summary, a good historical fiction set in 1858-1861 Victoria, BC. Next up is Waiting for Columbus.

I finished Remarkable Creatures tonight, Tracy Chevalier's newest historical fiction. I liked it a lot; will review soon. Now back to Cry, the Beloved Country, which I set aside for the short loan library book.

# 60 How did you like Death in the Clouds, sanja? I myself found it quite clever and interesting.

Reclaiming the F Word was enjoyable and thought-provoking and a review will appear eventually but I couldn't wait any longer to get on to The Owl Killers, which is turning out to be every bit as unputdownable as Company of Liars was.

I finished Lydia Millet's novel, Oh Pure and Radiant Heart -- it took me longer than usual because I kept avoiding it, I think. It is funny and wild and well-written, but it's also disturbing and sad and all too true. I admire Millet and her vision and audacity . . . and I am deeply grateful for the journey.

Next: J. G. Ballard's Empire of the Sun

I am still reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close which I must admit I am finding a bit confusing in places. I also question the fact that this book was in the YA section. It seems a bit much for a YA book in my opinion. I do like the book. It is just a slow read for me.

I just finished The Owl Killers and liked it. I have read better books, but for me it was similar to Company of Liars.
I just started Howl's moving castle. I love the movie, and am curious about the book, as I know that lovers of the book are very vocal in their... criticism of the movie.

I'm still reading Eclipse of the Crescent Moon. I'm really enjoying it, but haven't had much time to read lately, so I still have a few hundred pages to go.

Finished Brooklyn by Colm Toibin, which disappointed me in that it was not all that much about Brooklyn, and started The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters. It's my first Sarah Waters book and has me really creeped out!

Laurie, The Chief Factor's Daughter leapt onto my wishlist before I could blink twice! How did you manage to do that?

jbleil - I felt that way about Brooklyn too - it didn't do a lot for me, or my expectations were too high.

I hope you enjoy The Little Stranger - the general opinion is that it's Waters' weakest book. Fingersmith is her best, imo - utterly brilliant!

I've just begun A Nation of Sheep by William J. Lederer.

booksloth, that version of Rebecca had Anne Massey as Mrs Danvers, not Joanna David. I remember because I thought it was terrific too!

I finished The Biographer's Tale but complained about it in the previous topic. Now I'm reading Alfred and Emily and enjoying it. I don't think I've ever read anything by Doris Lessing before; I think of her as writing dense political books, but this is a wonderful story, imagining her parents' lives if WWI hadn't intervened.

#76 That's right. Anna Massey was Mrs Danvers, Joanna David was the second Mrs de Winter.

Hi! I've been a way for a while, really missed this place.
I've been in quite a bit of a reading rut (spell check please!) so I turned to an author that never fails to put me back on track Anne Bishop and this time I'm reading Sebastian.

#72 & 74 re: Brooklyn. I felt pretty much the same as you did, but then I found myself thinking about the book a lot for several days after finishing it. The story stayed with me. It was an odd reaction, the first time that's happened to me, and I concluded that it was a powerful story but in a strange, retroactive sort of way.

Finished my re-read of "Life Sentences" by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey. Starting a re-read of her book "Joanna's Husband and David's Wife".

I too watched PBS recent "Small Island". I have not read the book, so was not dissappointed with the adaptation.

Regarding Alfred Hitchcock's "Rebecca", I saw the film before I read the book. Actually, enjoying the movie made me want to read the book. I also saw a movie version of "Jane Eyre" before I read the book.

I'm reading Moving Pictures by Tery Pratchett. I need something frivolous.

I finished Secret Daughter a couple days ago (an ER book I received from the March batch). Overall, a good story about an overseas adoption, Indian culture and what makes a "family".

I've now moved on to Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, which is fascinating so far!

Currently reading The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno by Ellen Bryson. Very entertaining so far.

Working on my reviews of Little Bee and The Dark End of the Street, which were both really good.

Finished Small Island. Not a fan.

Got, read, LOVED Zeitoun all in the space of six hours today.

>84 richardderus:, Richard, glad to hear that. Zeitoun is an upcoming book club book.

#82/83 Some superb books there. Little Bee was just amazing and Snow Flower haunted me for ages. Fantastic!

>85 AMQS: Anne, you're all in for a major, major treat...and I speak as one whose dislike of Eggers's other books is strong and on record.

Just. Well, like, wow.

<

My computer's tripping, so I'll re-write my earlier message. I couldn't see it on the screen.

>84 richardderus:

Totally agree with you. Small Island was definitely not my idea of good entertainment.

#69 bookaholicgirl

I questioned why Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was NOT in the YA section. I didn't think it was an adult novel and should have been marketed as a YA novel.

#55 eley
I read the whole Jemma Doyle series, which includes Rebel Angels last winter and loved them. Very thought provoking for YA novels.

>89 eley: Soulmate! We seem to be the only two who didn't swoon with delight at the book. Was there a specific thing that got to you?

I'm just not, in general, fond of Levy's writerly tone. I don't know why but it feels to me--snotty, somehow? Or uncompassionate maybe? I don't know. I can't pin it down, but I haven't liked either of the two books I've read.

Currently rereading The Beekeeper's Apprentice since it has been almost 20 years since I last read it. There is a new book in the series so I thought I might read the series again.

I am also still working on An Altar in the World in small doses. I enjoy BBT's writing and she gives me a lot to digest.

I currently have 3 novels on the go: A Stopover in Venice by Kathryn Walker (the one I can't seem to put down, so far), Roses by Leila Meacham, and The Biographer by Virginia Duigan.

However, that's all about to come to a screeching halt, I suspect, as I anticipate the arrival of my Early Reviewers snag The Doctor and the Diva by Adrienne McDonnell in the next day or two!! Another ERer in the area reported receiving their copy today, so my fingers are crossed!!!

Update: D&D arrived!! Starting it... now!

I have Small Island in Mt TBR and I have read The Long Song. Overall I liked The Long Song but felt it lacked something but can't put my finger on it. It was really frustrating as it ticked all the right boxes for what I like in a novel but something eluded my overall enjoyment of the book. I really expected that it would be a book I would rave about to family and friends and say "You must read this book" - didn't happen.

I am reading A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray and starting on Mark Billingham's Scaredy Cat, the second book in a police procedural series.

There's so many great titles here. Right now I'm reading an interesting book called Set Free by Karla Fey Tucker who was on death row and was the first woman executed in Texas in 100 years. It's a fascinating read.

I finished Howl's Moving Castle almost in one sitting and loved it. I have now moved on to The Well of Lost Plots, something I have been waiting for since I read Lost in a Good Book a couple of weeks ago.

#96 audrey, Set Free sounds fascinating. Are you going to review it?

#96/98 It does sound fascinating - and Karla Fey Tucker isn't a name you want to mess with after a couple of drinks, is it?

Finished So Much to Tell last night - full review for another website some time in the next few days and will post the link on LT - it's recommended, particularly for anyone with an interest in children's books of the 60s and 70s.

Have started reading Lullabies for Little Criminals, very good so far, and also reading Private Life by Jane Smiley, which is an Early Reviewer book.

#90 benitastrnad - That is really interesting that we have totally different opinions of the book. I know that my 15 yr old (who is the one I took the book out of the library for), read the first few pages and put it back in the pile. He said that it was just too confusing for him. I don't think my other two teenagers would like it either. But, that is why I love this site - different opinions that make you think!

I have missed this thread for the past couple of weeks and I don't know why. I have finished a few books not many. I just finished reading Flash Terminal Velocity by Mark Waid. Yes that is right I actually read a comic book. It was my second this year but the first one I have actually included in my list of reading this time. I also finished reading Down River by John Hart for my library book club. I loved the book and will be looking to read more books by John Hart.

I am currently reading Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King, this is my first Stephen King book. I am reading it because I just happened to see the movie the other day with my son and I was just saying that I never heard of this book and I didn't have it. He then proceeded to toss the book on my lap. So now I have decided to read it. I am also reading Someone is out There by Carole Standish.

Happy Reading all!!

I've reviewed the two books I finished yesterday, Season of Ash by Jorge Volpi, and The Pen and the Sword: Conversations with Edward Said by David Barsamian. Today I'll start The Death of Artemio Cruz by Carlos Fuentes and Out of Place: A Memoir by Edward W. Said, and I'll continue reading Five Modern Japanese Novelists by Donald Keene.

#103 - Season of Ash sounds fascinating! I'd never heard of it before, but it's on my "to read" list now! Thanks!!

I'm reading 'No Name' by Wilkie Collins. Pretty good so far. I'm still in the classics rut and can't seem to get out of it.

Finished and loved The Well of Lost Plots and have started Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

I finished and reviewed The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian.

Now I'm going to read a memoir set in my home town entitled Too Close to the Falls by Catherine Gildiner.

I just finished Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Rusell and found it a bit disappointing and interesting at the same time. I just started listening to The Scarpetta Factor by Patricia Cornwell.

Little over 100 pages into Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman. Just the kind of sweet, well-written book I need on such a crappy day.

Just finished The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt which I thought was pretty good. Not as good as his first novel, but still captivating enough for me to find enjoyable. I'm not totally sure why it got such harsh reviews.

Now on to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy which has been highly recommended by multiple peope I know. Here's hoping it lives up to the hype!

kiwiflowa, you're right when you describe frustration around The Long Song tickling the "right" boxes but lacking in deliverence. I was so excited to purchase this book that I immediately put my book plate in it -- wrong move, if I had not done so I would have returned it to B&N for a refund, and I'm only in the mid-section.

#73 - Richard, you wouldn't by chance be referring to my reference of 'naval officers' would you?

Oh, and I agree, Zeitoun is good!

I finished Waiting for Columbus and reviewed it this evening - what an interesting missing person "Who are you?" story with the intrigue of 15 century politics/religious interests mashed up in the present tense. A fun read!

Next up, because I am in the mood for a good comfort read, is The Girl Who Chased the Moon.

I'm currently reading Women who run with the wolves, Shades of Grey, The collected Raffles stories and Snow. This is too many for me to be reading at one time. My head hurts. I'm determined to finish one asap.

Last night I read all of Taran Wanderer which I think is definitely my favourite book out of the Prydain series so far although when I get round to reading the High King we'll see if it's still my fav.
Not sure what I'm going to read next maybe I'll start on The Birds and other Stories since it is Daphne's birthday tomorrow.

On my mother's day Kindle I have already read The Tale of Halcyon Crane and Ghosty Men. I am in the middle of reading The Worst Hard Time and Ruined. I also finished not on Kindle A Countess Below Stairs. I am still in the middle of my PB copy of Rebecca. All of these stories are 10's in my opinion.

Reading Dead End Gene Pool by Wendy Burden. I am sure glad that my parents were middle class factory workers.

#114 I have had The Birds and other stories on my shelf for a few years. I think I will take your lead and use the occasion of Daphne's birthday to actually read it.

I attended a stage performance of 'The Birds' in The Gate Theatre in Dublin last year. It was quite atmospheric. Nothing like the film.

Finished Firebirds edited by Sharyn November the other night. Haven't decided what to read next for my bedtime reading. I'd be excited just thinking about it, but feel too tired from work at the moment. Sigh.

@QuestingA

Women Who Run With The Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estes is the most beloved work I have ever read. As you read it you will never awken from your bed, go through your day, experience nature, animals or people the same -- this I assure you --- you will question yourself and you will know yourself and as Clarissa reminds you. Feast!

Take a look at this interview with Charlie Rose
A discussion about "woman.life.song"
with Jessye Norman, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Toni Morrison and Judith Weir

Monday, March 20, 2000

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/3795

#117
I attended a stage performance of 'The Birds' in The Gate Theatre in Dublin last year. It was quite atmospheric. Nothing like the film.

How wonderful! I can imagine the original story with all that claustrophobia would work really well on stage.

I'm reading Washington's Spies, about intellegence in the Revolutionary War. Very interesting.

#120
It was very claustrophoic. They performed the entiry show in a single room and used a surround sound recording of birds scratching at the ceiling and cawing. The first time one heard the birds scratching, the sound was quite loud and came from behind and above me. It was very effective.

I'm going to try alternating a bunch of books at one time right now, so this will probably be my last update for a couple of days. I'm going to read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn when putting my baby down to sleep, then alternate every 30-50 pages between The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver, The Queen of Palmyra by Minrose Gwin, and Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes. I'm hoping I can finish them all by Saturday, so I have time to read the last section of Wolf Hall on Sunday.

I'm also listening to Await Your Reply.

@ 119 JulesOnMars

Actually I'm not getting much out of Women who run with the wolves. I expected, and want, it to challenge, enlighten, provide insight, etc. But - and I'm only half way through chapter 2 - so far I'm not convinced.

The Bluebeard story for instance.... I agree that being naive makes women (and men) prey. But what is Bluebeard's role here? I can easily see the character in the story as a predator but can't reconcile what he represents - over self-confidence and a desire for superiority over others - as something predatory in my psyche. Why would the confident part of me want to destroy my instinctive senses? What have I missed?

Thanks for the interview link. I enjoyed their discussion. What wonderful women.

#109 I agree Saving CeeCee was really sweet and very well written

@ QuestingA, ohhh I just think that Women Who Run with the Wolves was such an enlightening read and reference for me.

Take a look at The Great Cosmic Mother by Monica Sjoo & Barbara Mor and also Mysteries of the Dark Moon the Healing Power of the Dark Goddess by Demeta George. I better start reading :)

I think I'll start a Goddess reading group! Peace

115 - I really liked Ghosty Men - did you?

I finished Alfred and Emily; it was interesting, but not terrific.

Just started According to Queenie and am liking it so far. I've liked everything by Beryl Bainbridge that I've read so I have high hopes.

I'm working on The Big Short and Son of Hamas, both of which are heavier reading.

I just finished Tinkers and Elizabeth Street, and I really didn't enjoy either one.

I am reading Losing Charlotte. I'm enjoying this book, a debut of a new author.

I am reading a new sci fi book called Heaven's Devils. It is written by William C. Dietz. It is a title in the Starcraft series of books.

Piemouth, I believe that Beryl Bainbridge wrote The Birthday Boys. It is a mark of the high quality of her writing that I have declined to read anything by her or about arctic or antarctic exploration since then, her novel hurt so much.

I read Sum yesterday. It is light and charming and does not lack substance. I commend it to anybody whose eye it catches.

Robert

Yes, I agree that Birthday Boys was astonishingly great.

Will start my ER book Amandine by Marlena De Blasi.

Since there's a big group of Carlos Ruiz Zafrón fans here I had to share with you this charming interview, on YouTube, with him on his debut novel Prince of Mist, part of The Trilogy of the Mist, which are YA kind of fantasy novels. I think they are only being translated now to english. I read one in castellano and really liked it. I've been eying the trilogy in a beautiful, hardcover edition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XVh_HPOCIk&playnext_from=TL&videos=GbYe5... (great channel)

I finished Someone is out There and started reading Sidney Sheldon's After the Darkness by Tilly Bagshawe. I am still reading Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King.

I just finished The Shack by William P. Young. I'm not sure if I loved it, but it was certainly an enjoyable read and it really made me rethink my own ideas about religion vs. spirtuality. I liked that it gave abstract concepts, such as the Trinity, a solid form. Currently reading The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamiliton on recommendation by my mother.

I am in the middle of Ghost Train to the Eastern Star by Paul Theroux. Great nonfiction travel book through many eastern countries. Highly recommend.

Just put up my review of my ER book, Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen. Long story short, if you like mysteries you'll want to read this book. My favorite book from a terrific author.

I was fascinated by Ghosty Men but I would not say it had a happy ending. It left me sad, even though these men lived life on their terms. It seemed like a prison sentence to never feel the light of day on your face because of fear of the community. They really needed help, but in their age, there was no help.

I love Tess Gerritsen! I'll have to keep my eyes open for a copy of Ice Cold.

@ JulesOnMars
I've added your suggested books to my TBR list. Not sure how much I'm into the whole Goddess thing but I do love learning about new stuff. And I'm certainly going to finish Women who run with the wolves.

Today I'm reading the James Joyce short story, "The Dead."

Read If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino. The link to my review is here,

http://www.librarything.com/review/58388206

Or my 50 book challenge thread,

http://www.librarything.com/topic/80925

Going to start Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey for my Monthly Author Reads Group.

I reviewed the one-word-titled Zeitoun for our May "Take It or Leave It" challenge, and thanks to tymfos who sent me her copy; I read it, and I am a thrilled, excited supporter of the book. Please, read soonest and buy a copy. There aren't even 700 copies of it on LT -- and there ARE tens of thousands of copies of Twilight.

This simply shouldn't be.

Richardderus-What's the "Take It or Leave It" challenge?

Seeing as I have adult ADD lately, I just started yet another book--The Devil in the White City, and I'm loving it so far.

I finished and loved Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, made the book even more fun. I will start some fluff now, Club Dead.

I've just finished The Seville Communion by Arturo Pérez-Reverte and I'm about to start Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay.

I just finished Have mercy on us all by Fred Vargas - crime fiction taking place in Paris. This is my first Inspector Adamsberg novel, and it might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Really enjoyed the characters (including the inspector himself) and the general "feel" of the book.

I am just starting The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar. I am most impressed.

I read the first hundred and twenty pages or so of The Book of Revelation for Dummies last night. It is pretty weak. Because it is not totally devoid of content and because it is the book at hand on the subject there is a good chance that I will continue it, but as I read it last night the other books around me seemed to call.

Robert

I've finally put aside The Death of Artemio Cruz by Carlos Fuentes after three days of futile effort. I've started Tranquility by the Hungarian writer Attila Bartis, which was published by Archipelago Books in 2008; it's a much more readable and interesting book so far.

>144 Bridget770: Bridget770, in the 75-Books Challenge group there is a monthly "Take It or Leave It" challenge set up by the various members of that forum. Last month I started a challenge called "Read an Indian Writer" and this month there's one (of nine) called "Read a Canadian Writer"---all intended to get the 75ers to find books on their shelves that fit the challenges, and get them read! It's fun, expecially since it's not like a lot of other challenges that feel so portentous...this is take it or leave it, optional, no commitments needed.

I just finished my early reviewer's copy of Sidney Sheldon's After the Darkness. Fun read! The mystery pulls you right along. Very enjoyable read.

I just finished the excellent Lullabies for Little Criminals about a 12 year old with a junkie dad in Montreal trying to find somewhere to be for herself. I already had it out of the library but it happened to fit with the above mentioned TIOLI challenge - in the category read a Canadian author.

I'm now starting Ken Bruen, Her Last Call to Louis MacNeice a title which has intrigued me for years - there's also a category in the May TIOLI challenge for reading a book with the author's name in the title.

Just finished Have a little Faith by Mitch Albom (the first time I've ever read him, so I have no preconceptions or expectations) and I quite enjoyed it. A sweet story about faith and love and life. Not too preachy, not forceful or pushy. I liked it a lot.

@QuestingA, I honor flow enjoy WWRWW!

I just finished listening on audio to The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss, excellent, though it took me a while to get into it and really like it. Now I'm listening to The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson.

Aliens In The Prime Of Their Lives by Brad Watson

Finished The Girl Who Chased the Moon - as to be expected, this was a sweet, enchanting tale. Next up is the slim novella Translation is a Love Affair by Jacques Poulin.

Several years ago I started a writing project that I never finished -- life, not to mention my usual doubts about my ability to write, interfered. But lately I've felt it beckoning, so I've been perusing a few books that have helped me in the past:

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland
How to Write by Richard Rhodes
Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
The Courage to Create by Rollo May

I'm looking for inspiration, courage, or, more likely, an excuse to put it off one more day. Still, it's nice to revisit these old friends.

Just finished The Boys from the Blackstuff. A realistic representation of depression torn Britain in the Thatcher years, and the plight of people laid off and finding they have no prospect of employment. A worthwhile read but not for the faint hearted.

The Dragon's Tail, a novel that claims to tell the tale of China's formation.

Just this minute finished The Birds and Other stories by Daphne du Maurier - a rather interesting set of short stories, I'm never *Ever* going to trust pigeons and seagulls again after reading The Birds and the other stories were a intriguing mixture of sinister doings and mystery. Quite enjoyed reading it.

#153 I loved Lullabies for Little Criminals too. I've seen some fairly negative stuff on here about it so I'm so pleased to see I wasn't the only one. Baby was a real delight.

I've now finished The Owl Killers, which was excellent, and gone back to my beloved Iris. I can't believe I haven't already read A Severed Head but it somehow got lost in the crowd. Making up for that now.

ETA - And my TBR list just fell back to a round 300 (hooray!) but I have tokens and am having lunch tomorrow far too close to Waterstones. This will be a real test of willpower.

#151richarderus Thanks for the explanation. I will check it out!

I finished Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud by Jonathan Safran Foer which was a very good book about a young boy who lost his father on 9/11. My library had this book in the YA section but I really that it could be for adults as well. I know that someone else in a previous thread disagreed with this statement and, interestingly enough, found their library copy in the adult section.

I just started the map of true places by Brunonia Barry which was my ER selection from a couple of months ago. I previously read The Lace Reader which I enjoyed so I am looking forward to this as well.

#66, Porua, I really liked it. Poirot is quite a treasure.

#153, 162 - I enjoyed Lullabies for Little Criminals too!

Me, I'm in a rut. I put down The Mermaid of Paris because I found it boring, and I tried a few pages of The History of Reading, but it's too heavy for my mood right now. I smell a Harry Potter or Anne of Green Gables re-read in my future...

Finished Parsley,Sage,Rosemary and Crime. Starting a new book this afternoon but haven't decided what yet.

My 50 book challenge, in case anyone is interested:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/81070

My livejournal account:

http://leperdbunny.livejournal.com/36418.html

# 165 I’m glad you enjoyed Death in the Clouds, sanja. I liked it too. It is the only mystery I've ever read which is up in the air...literally!

Just finished Small Island by Andrea Levy. And now reading Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger(great Native American lore). And600 Hours of Edward by Craig Lancaster(took me awhile to get started but now moving right along).

I finished Hourglass by Claudia Gray Wednesday night. It is the third book in the Young Adult paranormal series Evernight. It is a great series.

On Thursday, I started Death's Daughter by Amber Benson. This is a Chick Lit paranormal that is a pretty engaging and light read so far.

I've heard of these books. I reallly enjoyed other pieces by the same other. I am going down to Barns and Nobles soon and thats a book title I was keep my eyes out.

The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar is the most beautiful book I've read in forever. Thank goodness my sister commanded me to read it.

I've finished and reviewed The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk. Weird!

I finished reading Lullabies for Little Criminals and have almost finished a very short crime novel Her Last Call to Louis MacNeice by Ken Bruen - rather strange - even more so than Bruen's later books - but I like it a lot.

>172 jennieg: jennieg, I read The Space Between Us a couple of years ago and loved it, too. I'm glad to see you enjoyed it.

The new week starts: right here

I am on page 247 of The Broken Window by Jeffrey Deaver. I like the idea of a serial killer using the computer to frame people. Wait. I hope that never happens to anyone in real life. I should have said it makes for a good book. Anyway, I wish they would just move it along un'poco.

I just finished Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde. I am so glad I read this book. It's a dystopian novel on the order of Logan's Run (not that horrid The Road) combined with Soylent Green, Catch 22 and Dogma. I'm giving it 5 stars and am so glad I read it; however the blurb on the back said something about if you're missing reading the Harry Potter books try anything by Jasper Fforde. Well, I don't know about the rest of his books, and I really loved the Harry Potter books, but I don't think this kind of sly book referencing novel would necessarily appeal to Harry and Hermione followers. And the ending, which was perfect for this book, would not appeal to the Harry Potter crowd.

Also within the past week I finished The Murderer's Daughters and liked it far more than some on this list. Meyers expertly examines the long lasting effect of domestic violence on children in this story of the surviving daughters of a "loving" father who kills their mother. The novel, by a woman who worked with violent men and their victims for 10 years explores the themes of survivor guilt, filial devotion, family devotion, emotional manipulation and altruism. I read a library copy, then had to go out and buy one for a friend.

Oh, I didn't mention what I'm reading now. The Girl Who Played With Fire is calling to me, but I got This Is Not The Story You Think It Is... from the library, so I'm going to give it a try first. I'm not a big "don't worry, be happy", power of positive thinking type person, so we'll see if I like it enough to read it. I'm also still listening to The Given Day and loving all the politics.