All About Books discussion

I'm starting Peony by Pearl S. Buck. It's a story related to the Jewish community in Kaifeng of China in the 1850s.

Thanks for the link, Joan! I'll look into it as soon as I have some time :)

I'm currently reading The Invisible Library. It certainly isn't a masterpiece, but it's a real page-turner and I'm enjoying it a lot.

Reading A Column of Fire, which will be a long read and starting Mouths Don't Speak

I have begun An Irish Country Doctor. So far it is light, nice, fun and I like how it is narrated. The Irish accent adds a special touch.

I have seen those books pass my desk often, Chrissie. Curious as to how you will like it.

I'll write a review a review for you, for others and for myself too. That I write these reviews as much for myself as for others is why I never stop.

I'm reading The Heaven of Animals, which is a collection of short stories.

I have begun A Sport and a Pastime. I have liked other books by the author so I thought I would try this too.

I’m listening to My Name Is Lucy Barton and reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

I have begun Norse Mythology.

Started A State of Freedom.

Chinook wrote: "I’m listening to My Name Is Lucy Barton and reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian."

Pick up Alexie's biography next (You Don't Have to Say You Love Me). I bet you will find it interesting after reading his fiction.

I think I will. I’ve heard very good things about it.

I'm reading the second in the Ibis triology River of Smoke. I really enjoyed the first 200 pages but now the story is interspersed with some letters which I'm finding boring and it's disrupting the flow a bit. I will keep reading though as it's beautifully written with fascinating historical detail and I feel quite invested in some of the characters

I am reading The Expatriates, a story focusing on 3 very different American women living in Hong Kong. I am finding it very compelling, hard to put down.

I started reading The Locals by Jonathan Dee last night. I like it, so far. It's fast-moving and absorbing.

Started yesterday and already over halfway through:-
Cometh the Hour by Jeffrey Archer

This is the sixth book in the Clifton Chronicles which I find totally compelling. No matter what you may think about the man himself, he certainly tells a good yarn!

I am reading Martin Eden by Jack London & a couple of mysteries: The Marco Effect in audio & Black Diamond Death on my Kindle.

I just finished Martin Eden a few weeks ago. Loved it. The ending may surprise you!

Patrick wrote: "I just finished Martin Eden a few weeks ago. Loved it. The ending may surprise you!"

I know that it was the end of London's life as well!

I am about to begin The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.

Joan, aren't you reading this too?

Chrissie wrote: "I am about to begin The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.

Joan, aren't you reading this too?"

Chrissie, I finished it about two weeks ago. The narrator you recommended, Bill Homewood, was much better than the one I I started with. I enjoyed the story and will be happy to hear your thoughts as you go along. I haven’t written my review yet.

Joan, I have not yet come far.........Of course anything will be better than the last book I read. I am just joking.

LauraT wrote: "Patrick wrote: "I just finished Martin Eden a few weeks ago. Loved it. The ending may surprise you!"

I know that it was the end of London's life as well!"

That is a complicated and much-debated issue, impossible to discuss here because it would go deep into spoiler territory. Although there are undoubtedly autobiographical elements in London's portrayal of Martin Eden, London also stated quite explicitly that the book is meant to be CRITICAL of Eden. (He quickly and good-humoredly added that no one got this, so he must have "bungled" conveying it.)

Patrick wrote: "That is a complicated and much-debated issue, impossible to discuss here because it would go deep into spoiler territory. Although there are undoubtedly autobiographical elements in London's portrayal of Martin Eden, London also stated quite explicitly that the book is meant to be CRITICAL of Eden. (He quickly and good-humoredly added that no one got this, so he must have "bungled" conveying it.) "

I know that Patrick. Still, I find it quite interesting he decided for himself as for Martin ...

Patrick, please write a review and post it here. You can use spoiler html. I am interested in the book, that is why I ask.

Kim wrote: "Started yesterday and already over halfway through:-
Cometh the Hour by Jeffrey Archer

This is the sixth book in the Clifton Chro..."

I’ve been thinking about reading this series. I read his latest short story collection Tell Tale: Short Stories recently and liked it. I am hesitant to start another series, though!

I’m currently reading Winter of the World by Ken Follett and An American Tragedy. They are both good but really long - 1000 pp and 850 pp!

Chrissie wrote: "Patrick, please write a review and post it here. You can use spoiler html. I am interested in the book, that is why I ask."

I have gotten really lazy about writing reviews! Most of my 카지노싸이트 reviews are one or two-liners.

Patrick wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Patrick, please write a review and post it here. You can use spoiler html. I am interested in the book, that is why I ask."

I have gotten really lazy about writing reviews! Most o..."

Well then put what you want to say about London's book Martin Eden in a spoiler here, PLEASE.

I read the screenplay for Fantastic Beasts - a fine read and brought back lots of imagery from the movies, but I’m a bit surprised it won the 카지노싸이트 Award for Fantasy.

I’m still reading Freedom. Loves the first third, but less love for the middle third. Hope it ends well. It’s my first Franzen.

I've started The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng.

Joan, I have left some messages under your review of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. I don´t think you have seen that I have left them there.

Currently reading The Devil's Claw by Lara Dearman. Such a good read!

I've picked up Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine from the library. I have to admit, whilst it's a fairly easy and quick read I am not enjoying it as much as other people have. I really don't find the main character particularly believable and I'm struggling to care what happens next. I will finish it but I'm not sure I understand what everybody else loves so much!

Heather wrote: "I've picked up Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine from the library. I have to admit, whilst it's a fairly easy and quick read I am not enjoying it as much as other people have. I r..."

You are not alone.

Just read your review and I agree. I am left with a sensation of guilt because I found the narrator irritating and then found out what she went through. Even though I knew it was something bad

Yesterday I began Mrs. Hemingway. I do like the lines, but the time jumps are confusing. I am OK with going backward in time, but I wish the author followed a straight trajectory within each wife's section. I am hoping I have not come far enough to fully grasp the time line. Would I undertand what is going on, had I not read many other books on Hemingway before?

Heather wrote: "Just read your review and I agree. I am left with a sensation of guilt because I found the narrator irritating and then found out what she went through. Even though I knew it was something bad"

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine rubbed me the wrong way!

Some people see humor in the book, and that I do not get at all.

Alice wrote: "I've started The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng."

I’m planning on reading this book later in the year for a challenge in a different group. How is it?

Pam wrote: "Alice wrote: "I've started The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng."

I’m planning on reading this book later in the year for a challenge in a different group. How is it?"

I'm enjoying it :) I loved his other book The Garden of Evening Mists. There's something in his writing that I can relate to.

It's been a while since I posted here... what am I reading? Well, I am reading a pre-Golden Age mystery, The Vanishing Man, on my Kindle; this is the 3rd Thorndyke book but I was unaware of that when I got it several years ago. Luckily, I read the first book last fall so it isn't too out of sequence!

In print, I am reading Colette's The Vagabond & the short stories in our group short story read, The Old Wives' Fairy Tale Book (this is the American title of the first half of the group read book).

In audiobook, I am considering either Appointment in Samarra or Manon Lescaut...

Leslie, in my view The Vagabond is really, really good. I was totally caught up in the story about her and the choices she made. The writing....... I didn't like it at the start, florid and dated. By the end I had changed my view.

Your book by Lescaut interests me. On one hand I am thinking do I want to read a book about the people like those in F. Scott Fitzgerald books. On the other hand I like the strength of Hemingway's writing, even if I don't like the man. He thought the book was great. Let me know what you think of it, OK?

I am currently reading If on a Winter's Night a Traveller. Thankfully I read several reviews before I started, so I am not experiencing the frustration many readers have felt, but rather am amused.

Evelyn wrote: "I am currently reading If on a Winter's Night a Traveller. Thankfully I read several reviews before I started, so I am not experiencing the frustration many readers have felt, but rat..."

Oh, I should make sure to do that too! And try to read it while it is still winter *grin*

Chrissie wrote: "Leslie, in my view The Vagabond is really, really good. I was totally caught up in the story about her and the choices she made. The writing....... I didn't like it at the start, flori..."

I know what you mean about the writing -- it wasn't what I expected but as I progress, I am discovering that it fits the character Renée.

I was a bit confused by the second part of your comment. I think that you must have mistook my "or" for a "by"! Assuming that is so, I will let you know about Appointment in Samarra if (or when) I get to it.

Leslie, so far the only winter is in the title and what a great title! My best advice for this novel is just to let go of what you think a novel should be and just flow with it.....

I have begun The World Below, and so far it seems good. Sue Miller is a new author for me, one that Bette suggested in another thread.

I am rereading A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man. I absolutely loved it 40 odd years ago - and, happily, I am finding that I still do.
Joyce’s writing just draws me into his dreamlike world. I also enjoy the way he plays with the sound of words.

I’m reading Ubik by Philip K. Dick. It’s our Feb selection for our library’s SF book club. I’m enjoying it. It’s always interesting to read 1960s SF, especially when it’s set in 1992!

Started The Things They Carried