Winter 2012 Edition~ what are you reading?

[fauve01]

the other reading thread is getting so long and unwieldy, i thought i would start a new thread (hopefully that's OK with everyone).;)

so, what are you reading/have you read lately? good? bad? :reading:

I just finished The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton for my upcoming book club. I liked it a lot and finished it quickly, but IMO is wasn't nearly as good as her previous book The Forgotten Garden. i loved that! here's a summary from Goodreads: "Set alternately between the present and the past, much of this mystery novel takes place in London during the Blitz. Laurel Nicholson, a successful actress in her sixties, reflects back to her teen years in the 1960’s and a crime she witnessed her mother, Dorothy (now ninety and dying), commit outside their Greenacres farmhouse. " it's one of those back and forth stories, alternating between the mother's story and the daughter trying to figure out the mystery of what happened when her mother was young.

Last month my book club read and discussed Mary: Mrs. A. Lincoln by Janis Cooke Newman. i really liked it. it's told from Mary's point of view and is of course very sympathetic to her. the story goes back and forth from when she's old and in a mental institution, and then she reflects back when she was young. here is the blurb from amazon: "Mary Todd Lincoln is one of history’s most misunderstood and enigmatic women. She was a political strategist, a supporter of emancipation, and a mother who survived the loss of three children and the assassination of her beloved husband. She also ran her family into debt, held seances in the White House, and was committed to an insane asylum—which is where Janis Cooke Newman’s debut novel begins. From her room in Bellevue Place, Mary chronicles her tempestuous childhood in a slaveholding Southern family and takes readers through the years after her husband’s death, revealing the ebbs and flows of her passion and depression, her poverty and ridicule, and her ultimate redemption." i'm glad i read it before the Daniel Day-Lewis movie comes out.

before that i read Child of the Morning by Pauline Gedge. I'm a fan of Egyptian stories, so i really enjoyed it. it tells the story of Hatshepsut who was supposedly the only woman Pharaoh. "the unprecedented ascension by a woman did not inspire the priests to treason or instill in her half-brother and future consort sufficient hatred to have her put to death. This is the premise for Child of the Morning, based closely on the historical facts. Hatshepsut assumed the throne at the age of fifteen and ruled brilliantly for more than two decades. Her achievements were immortalized on the walls of her magnificent temple at Deir el-Bahri, built by her architect and lover, Senmut. Sensuous and evocative, Child of the Morning is the story of one of history’s most remarkable women."

i also read To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal. it was a well written story of a woman looking back at her first boyfriend and thinking (and living!) the "what if".

Right now i'm halfway through Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy (love her books) and on deck on my bedside table is Dark Places by Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl, (which i loved; nice and twisted...).

what are YOU reading?
anne

[mackmama]

Right now I am reading "Proof of Heaven" - an autobiographical account of a neurosurgeon's NDE.
http://www.amazon.com/Proof-Heaven-Neurosurgeons-Journey-Afterlife/dp/1451695195

I just finished and really liked "The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes"
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Life-CeeCee-Wilkes/dp/077831295X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353091976&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Secret+Life+of+CeeCee+Wilkes
Thanks to the PP for the rec!

Before that I read the very light-hearted Kat Fight. Great beach reading.
http://www.amazon.com/Kat-Fight-Dina-Silver/dp/1470173271/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353091895&sr=1-1&keywords=Kat+Fight

[alootikki]

Just finished What Alice Forgot http://www.amazon.com/What-Alice-Forgot-Liane-Moriarty/dp/0425247449. It was a good read - not too fluffy and I think a lot of moms with young kids can relate to how a marriage becomes harder once children arrive!

Now reading What Remains http://www.amazon.com/What-Remains-Memoir-Fate-Friendship/dp/074327718X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353093480&sr=1-1&keywords=what+remains. Spurred on by my addition to the Real Housewives shows! :bag

[kijip]

Right now? No Time Like the Present by Nadine Gordimer. It is excellent.

I am going to read Jonathan Franzen's the Correction next. If I don't like it this time, I am DONE with reading his books.

I also re-read Sarah Vowell's The Wordy Shipmates this week and it of course reminded me why I love Sarah Vowell. :D

[mommylamb]

Right now I'm read The Family, which is nonfiction about the Manson Family. Creepy.

I'm also listening to John Adams (the David McCullough book) while in the car.

Usually, I'm a fiction girl, so it's unusual that I'm doing all nonfiction for the moment.

[klwa]

I'm in a "Young Adult" phase right now. Just finished book 3 of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series & bought books 4 & 5 yesterday.

[hillview]

ugh nothing :bag
I need more time!

[SnuggleBuggles]

I joined a book club. Last month we read "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan". It was not my normal fare. But, it was thought provoking.

We are reading "A Casual Vacancy" next. Till then I have some Jennifer Cruisie fluff.

[Meatball Mommie]

My reading tastes are eclectic, but these are my recent "top reads":

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Young Adult, so light read in terms of vocab; main character is a popular girl who lives the same day over and over... groundhog day like...

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safron Foer
Main character is a boy whose father died in 9/11...very stream of consciousness type of writing...it was very different from other recent reads and I enjoyed it

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
Not a new book, but I had just never gotten around to reading it. So sad, but it really draws you in. Set in WW2 Germany.

Silent Tears: A Memoir by Kay Bratt
A woman moves to China with her family and is very involved in a local orphanage. Very moving and inspiring.

[rlu]

I joined a book club. Last month we read "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan". It was not my normal fare. But, it was thought provoking.

We are reading "A Casual Vacancy" next. Till then I have some Jennifer Cruisie fluff.

I just finished A Casual Vacancy and liked it more than I thought I would given the poor reviews. I was interested in the characters (there's not a huge plot, mostly character study). I enjoy the Cruisie fluff too.

I am currently reading Definitely Not Mr. Darcy and after that A Woman of Consequence the investigations of Miss Dido Kent both of which I selected off the "new" bookshelves at the library. I am on the wait list for Beautiful Ruins and Cloud Atlas.

Next book club meetings are in Jan so I'll get those books towards the end of Dec - one is reading Cutting for Stone (haven't looked at) and the other is Death Comes to Pemberley.

DS will be reading Wimpy Kid 7 as I get Mommy points for reserving from the library in time to pick up today!

eta: just reserved Child of the Morning per rec above. Thanks!

[hellokitty]

I joined a book club. Last month we read "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan". It was not my normal fare. But, it was thought provoking.

We are reading "A Casual Vacancy" next. Till then I have some Jennifer Cruisie fluff.

You should read "shanghai girls.". I had friends who read both and thought that shanghai girls was much better. I read shanghai girls and haven't gotten around to snow flower yet. I couldn't finish the casual vacancy. So there isn't much of a plot? That was why I quit reading it.

[boogiemomz]

Just finished Wife 22, enjoyed it... funny, engaging story of a woman facing a mid-marriage crisis.

About to pick up Gone Girl at the library.

ETA: Girl Gone? Can't remember.

[mommyp]

Currently reading Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that won't stop talking by Susan Cain. I've been on a bit of a non-fiction kick lately too.
But after that it will be The Casual Vacancy because I'm finally at the top of the library holds list.

[KrystalS]

I just finished Insurgent by Veronica Roth, it was the 2nd book in the series. I really enjoyed Divergent and just read they are making it into a movie. Similar to Hunger Games.

I just started Reached, the third book in the Matched series.

[MichelleRC]

I am also in a YA phase, I am reading Mark of Athena on my Kindle (the third in the Heroes of Olympus series from Rick Riordan). I love me some mythology!

[echoesofspring]

I plowed through Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall and Bringing up the Bodies, both about Henry VIII told through the point of view of Thomas Cromwell. I've never really read anything about Henry VIII other than history class and I couldn't put the books down, though they were kind of gruesome. I'm reading some kindle samples of other books she wrote and that will probably be my next pick.

My mom passed along the Glass Castle, an unbelievable memoir by Jeanette Walls.
http://www.amazon.com/Glass-Castle-Memoir-Jeannette-Walls/dp/074324754X

[kijip]

The Glass Castle is a very good book.

[Philly Mom]

I just read Why Romney Lost. A very quick read. In the past few months I have read:
The Racketeer- great first half not so good second half

The Secret Keeper- I liked other of her books better but it was good.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone- 10th time I have read it. Never gets old

Gone Girl- good enough but not a favorite.

The Night Circus- very beautiful. Took me a couple times to start but once I did, I enjoyed it

Catherine the great- non fiction. Beautiful and interesting

Hunger Games trilogy- second time reading them and still great

The Kingmaker's Daughter- not my favorite Phillapa Gregory book

I am just starting Peter the great. I read a lot so look forward to other suggestions.

[sntm]

I'm reading some old Ngaio Marsh mysteries and Tomatoland now. Next up is Life of Pi, Miss Peregrine's House for Peciliar Children, and Immortal life of Henrietta lacks.

Recently finished 666 Park Ave (light fluff), Casual Vcancy (loved), American Gods (very interesting), Where'd you go Bernadette (hilarious, but you may have to know Seattle to get it) and a P&P based novel written by an acquaintance.

[sntm]

Oh, and forgot, I just finished and loved Voodoo Vintners, about biodynamic wine in Oregon

[Indianamom2]

Let's see, here are the last three that I have read:

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas. It is definitely not light and fluffy, but still interesting. It is about the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a preacher in Germany before and during the rise of Hitler. Very eye-opening in moments as well.

Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews. Not the best written book, but still interesting to learn about such an iconic figure.

Currently, I'm reading Only Time Will Tell (The Clifton Chronicles) by Jeffrey Archer. So far, I'm really enjoying it.

[EllasMum]

Charming the Prince - kind of a retelling of Cinderella. Loved it. Started off feeling like a YA novel until the first of the erotic sections. Most definitely NOT YA. :ROTFLMAO:

http://www.amazon.com/Charming-Prince-Teresa-Medeiros/dp/0553575023/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353285994&sr=1-1&keywords=charming+the+prince+by+teresa+medeiros (http://www.amazon.ca/Charming-Prince-Teresa-Medeiros/dp/0553575023)

Apparently I'm on a Cinderella kick, because I also enjoyed another retelling - sort of a futuristic version. Definitely YA. Very good. Looking forward to the sequels.

http://www.amazon.com/Cinder-Book-One-Lunar-Chronicles/dp/0312641893/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353285949&sr=8-1&keywords=cinder+meyer

[karstmama]

i'm 3/4 through the 5th 'song of ice and fire'. they are good, really good, but i'm kinda tired of them. i'm plowing through, though, because it's a library book.

then my plan will be the new jk rowling, shanghai girls, and http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Churchills-Secretary-A-Novel/dp/0553593617/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353289878&sr=8-1&keywords=maggie+churchill

oh! and i'm getting a new kindle paperwhite tuesday for my birthday, so i'll be piddling & organizing that, too, and might find something to re-read. :)

[speo]

I have been reading the His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman. I am on the last book The Amber Spyglass. Somehow I missed the existence of these before. I really love the series!!!!!! For those who also haven't heard of it, it is YA fantasy.

[connor_mommy]

I'm in a "Young Adult" phase right now. Just finished book 3 of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series & bought books 4 & 5 yesterday.


Almost done with the 2nd one. I have 3, 4 and 5 on hand next.

[fauve01]

Charming the Prince - kind of a retelling of Cinderella. Loved it. Started off feeling like a YA novel until the first of the erotic sections. Most definitely NOT YA. :ROTFLMAO:

http://www.amazon.com/Charming-Prince-Teresa-Medeiros/dp/0553575023/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353285994&sr=1-1&keywords=charming+the+prince+by+teresa+medeiros (http://www.amazon.ca/Charming-Prince-Teresa-Medeiros/dp/0553575023)

Apparently I'm on a Cinderella kick, because I also enjoyed another retelling - sort of a futuristic version. Definitely YA. Very good. Looking forward to the sequels.

http://www.amazon.com/Cinder-Book-One-Lunar-Chronicles/dp/0312641893/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353285949&sr=8-1&keywords=cinder+meyer

LOL about the erotic scenes in cinderella! :ROTFLMAO:gonna have to check that out :bag

if you like fairy tales for adults, check out "Enchantement" by Orson Scott Card. it's a modern day retelling of sleeping beauty. i loved it!
http://www.amazon.com/Enchantment-Orson-Scott-Card/dp/0345482409/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353297566&sr=1-1&keywords=orson+scott+card+sleeping+beauty

[fauve01]

just reserved Child of the Morning per rec above. Thanks!

if you like Egyptian stories, also check out "Nefertiti" by Michelle Moran if you haven't read it yet. i loved it! (more than Child of the Morning.) :)
http://www.amazon.com/Nefertiti-Novel-Michelle-Moran/dp/0307381749/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353297798&sr=1-1&keywords=nefertiti

[rlu]

if you like Egyptian stories, also check out "Nefertiti" by Michelle Moran if you haven't read it yet. i loved it! (more than Child of the Morning.) :)
http://www.amazon.com/Nefertiti-Novel-Michelle-Moran/dp/0307381749/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1353297798&sr=1-1&keywords=nefertiti

Thanks, requested as well. I'm a huge Amelia Peabody fan (mysteries set in Egypt) and have always been fascinated with Egypt. I spent quite a bit of time at the Rosicrucian Museum in junior high and we plan to take our Cub scouts there as soon as I can figure out how to tie it into a requirement. http://www.egyptianmuseum.org/

[Pinky]

I'm getting ready to start the second book in the King Killer Chronicles, The Wise Man's Fear.

Here is a link to the first one:
The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 1) by Patrick Rothfuss
Permalink: http://amzn.com/0756404746


I have been reading the His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman. I am on the last book The Amber Spyglass. Somehow I missed the existence of these before. I really love the series!!!!!! For those who also haven't heard of it, it is YA fantasy.

I really loved this series too! Did you see the movie? It was pretty good as well, though like always, not as good as the book.

Don't forget to look at the small novella (Lyra's Oxford?)... there may be more than one but I enjoyed that one even though it was short.

[mommylamb]

I'm getting ready to start the second book in the King Killer Chronicles, The Wise Man's Fear.

Here is a link to the first one:
The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 1) by Patrick Rothfuss
Permalink: http://amzn.com/0756404746





I loved those books! I wish he'd get the next book out though. So many questions left unanswered!!!

[twowhat?]

I'm reading First Shift (the WOOL prequel) right now and so far it's great. I just wish I could stay awake for more than a few pages at a time because each night I have to re-read a couple of pages to get back on track:) Not because it's boring - because I'm tired!

[speo]

I really loved this series too! Did you see the movie? It was pretty good as well, though like always, not as good as the book.

Don't forget to look at the small novella (Lyra's Oxford?)... there may be more than one but I enjoyed that one even though it was short.

Yes, I will have to see the movie. I didn't know about the other book and I just looked and there is even another one, Once Upon a Time in the North, about Lee Scoresby.



I loved those books! I wish he'd get the next book out though. So many questions left unanswered!!!

It is so hard to wait!! I'm waiting on Game of Thrones too.

[hillview]

OK just starting "the signal and the noise" -- nate silver.

[dogmom]

Anna Karenina again in case in some miracle I get out to see the movie. (Getting good reviews)

Also the Bloodletter's Daughter, which is an interesting novel set in Hapsburg Empire around 1600. Very compelling, if you like historical fiction give it a try. Better writing than most.

BTW, I want to have a T-shirt made that says,

"You are a grown woman, put down the YA fiction and go read Anna Karenina!"