I just finished reading...'s topics - tribe.net

I like the movie better

milkyway — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:27:46 GMT

two movies which I thought were better than the book:

Atonement
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Any others?

posted in I just finished reading... - 5 replies

Books that you live your life by?

blackegg — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:41:23 GMT

I know it's a cliche but I really enjoy The Prophet every time I read it.
I want my mind to think thoughts that sound like Kahlil Gibran's.
Is that too much to ask?

Any suggestions?

posted in I just finished reading... - 10 replies

dance of the dissident daughter

xtinemac — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:48:19 GMT

I just started it. So, far, I'm hooked. Anyone read it? This is from the same author (sue monk kidd) that wrote "The Secret Life of Bees" which got mixed reviews on this tribe.

It's not a new book but was recommended by two different women so I have high hopes for it.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Vonnegut for Beginners?

Taze — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:36:28 GMT

Okay, so I need some help.
There are a few authors that I would love to read and see what all the hype is about (and probably authors that everyone should read in general) but I just don't know where to start and I would like some help on what book I should start with...
I want to read / start with a Kurt Vonnegut book and I've read the backs of a lot of them but I don't even know where to start, as with all authors some books are better than others and I would hate to start with something that sucked and then not even want to go any farther... any suggestions on where I should start on a Vonnegut book?
Thank you

posted in I just finished reading... - 4 replies

Kafka on the Shore

trillium — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:05:01 GMT

Haruki Murakami is perhaps one of my favorites.
Melancholic, transporting. A metaphysical mindbender(a borrowed statement but none more true).

posted in I just finished reading... - 2 replies

Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

Alzbeta — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:20:48 GMT

I had never read a Kurt Vonnegut book, so when my mother came up to me and asked me to read Cat's Cradle" in order to help her come up with test questions for her summer reading class, I agreed. I finished it before she did.
I really liked it, but I know that I don't understand it anywhere near its full extent.
I really don't know what else to say about it.

posted in I just finished reading... - 2 replies

London Fields

bombastique — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:10:27 GMT

I love this book. Probably one of my new favorites. It's a love/murder/apocalyptic tragedy, to put it in a hardly-encompassing nutshell.

The writing is amazing - insightful, wry, lyrical. Some may not like it, labeled as being 'too wordy', but if you appreciate great depth of character, keen turns of phrase and an engaging storyline (I could hardly put it down), check it out.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Tales of the Otori series

tonytohono — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:48:19 GMT

by Lian Hearn

I'm on the third.

I have really enjoyed these. Anyone else?

posted in I just finished reading... - 2 replies

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

thundersnow — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 18:20:08 GMT

A compelling and well crafted tale. I adored this story and was sorry when it was recently finished. I probably just relate to the main character..., lol.

posted in I just finished reading... - 23 replies

Historical Cameos

theCryptofishist — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:26:53 GMT

Just finished with Cryptonomicron, which because it has WWII code-breaking scenes features Alan (Allan?) Turing. Inevitably. I know he's obligatory if you're writing that theme at that time. Also, we had Douglas MacArthur show up for a few pages. Got me to thinking about the historical figures that show up in books. Science Fiction time travel is loaded with Mark Twains--I'm assuming that's because of Conneticut Yankie (does anyone actually read that anymore?) And he shows up in Dan Simmons' Fires of Eden. Simmons also has Keats in Hyperion/Fall of Hyperion. Keats is also in The Stress of her Regard--along with Byron, Coolridge and others. Of course, that's a Powers specialty, and I love what he did with Philby.
I know there are others. Sometimes it's just jarring, reminding me of how much worse the modern author is when they bring in someone great. I useually feel embarassed by the whole thing, but I"m wondering in what other books historical figures show up and how it works in the plot and theme and all for you. I'm more interested in a book set in Elizabethan England (oh Shakespear does it all the time!) where they meet Walter Raliegh, than a novelization of Walter Raliegh's life, but I ain't gonna fuss if you have something interesting to say.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Cryptonomicron by Neal Stephenson

theCryptofishist — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:09:50 GMT

A friend discribes it as a "ride" and I think that's a good charcterization. A lot of math, which is always interesting to me (even though I don't get it) because I come from a family of mathematicians. Good WWII adventure thrown in. I don't know why the cover fo the book said pirates. No pirates. But it didn't need pirates. ANyway, lots of fun. I hope that my copy of Quicksilver shows up soon.

And I had to overcome a real reluctance, because I thought snow crash stank.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Norwegian Wood

trillium — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:08:43 GMT

Again with the Huraki Murakami!
Titled after a Beatles song, I wonder if perhaps he was influenced by Catcher in the Rye.

posted in I just finished reading... - 3 replies

What is the What

Aisha — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:31:20 GMT

I just finished this--what an amazing read. It's harrowing, I could only read a few pages a day and would have to take a few days off to recover. The narrator's voice is so strong and eloquent that you have to push through the horror.

It's about a young boy trapped in the terrible civil war in the south of Sudan (this genocide happened before Darfur) His whole town is destroyed and he goes on a journey which takes him through hundreds of difficutlt miles and eventually to the US (where the atrocities keep happening) I can't believe how he survived.

posted in I just finished reading... - 4 replies

Rant (An Oral History)

Barry — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:37:05 GMT

Chuck Palahniuk (of Fight Club fame) does it again! This one was structured as a series of interleaved interviews of the various characters all talking about the titular character, Buster "Rant" Casey. Set in the dystopic near-future, few aspects of conventional story telling are left in their typical configuration. Clever clever!

I don't want to ruin too much of the story at this point, as it is quite bizarre. I thought that even the stuff printed on the inner folds of the dust jacket gave too much away.

posted in I just finished reading... - 6 replies

Grifith and Sabine books

Linsey — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:46:59 GMT

Has anyone read these? I just found my old copies while cleaning my apartment the other day. What beautiful books.

for those of you who haven't read them, I suggest either reading them in a bookstore (they're short) or buying them. I don't think libraries would carry them, as there are removable letters.

It's the postcard correspondence of two artists. Grifith who lives in England, and Sabine who lives in the West Indies. Sabine has been able to see Grifith's art since she was a child, but he can't see hers.

posted in I just finished reading... - 3 replies

christopher moore

xtinemac — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:07:09 GMT

So, I am able to read books this summer for the first time in a long time. I'll spare you the boring details about all that. BUT, I came right to this Tribe to find a few good books and holy shit this Christopher Moore guy is awesome!

I read Fluke first, cuz that was the one someone read on this Tribe, then went to Coyote Blue and just finished A Dirty Job. The last one was by far my favorite. Set in San Fran and just crazy and funny and totally wacky. Perfect for a book set in SF! Fluke was good but my least favorite of those three books. Coyote Blue was very entertaining and I was happy to see one of the characters in that book show up in A Dirty Job. I will need to read Lamb because I understand it's also pretty good. This Moore guy has quite an imagination and it's fun to go along for the ride.

Anyway, thanks so much for this Tribe. I am a constant lurker but rarely post.

posted in I just finished reading... - 10 replies

the secret life of bees

tinker, tailor, soldier, spy — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 17:24:29 GMT

a good read for vacation or travel reading. easy to read but emotionally engaging. not too engrossing but lasting thoughts.

it's a story of a white girl in s. carolina who runs away from home in the 1960's w/her black nanny. so there's race/civil rights history and some gender stuff and the emotions of dead mom and mean dad. and of course bees - all the stuff about beekeeping. :)

posted in I just finished reading... - 9 replies

Eat, Pray, Love

jen — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:58:14 GMT

I just started reading it....It makes me want to stop everything to finish it. Any thoughts on this amazing read?

posted in I just finished reading... - 62 replies

The History of Love

jenniannie — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 02:47:14 GMT

Hi all...finsihed "The History of Love" by Nicole Krauss. Loved the story and the story within, but was disappointed by the ending. It was great that they met, but I was expecting more, though that would have made the book longer. Also, being a non-Jew/Christian and not understanding a lot of the language, Mrs Krauss maybe should have included a bit of a glossary? Not sure on that, but I would have liked it. What did you all think about this?
Jennifer in Phoenix
aka jenniannie on yahoo messenger (chatting welcomed!)

posted in I just finished reading... - 8 replies

Dig infinity! The Life and Art of Lord Buckley

blackegg — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:27:58 GMT

Amazing.
I only wish the author had spread it more
like a traditional biography instead of the
cut and paste type.
'Jack's book' also did this...peicing a million quotes from two dozen sources
and calling it a book.

Also, there's no index so it's well neigh impossible to
look something up.

Still, at 400+ pages it delivers heaps of varied and often contridictory
conjecture about His Grace, Lord Buckley.

And the CD that 'comes with' is good also.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Freyaphrodite — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:55:07 GMT

Probably one of the more stirring books I have read in my life... loved the book... hated the movie!
It is a must read!~ Can't remember the Authors name... he's from what was Czechoslovakia and is now the Czech Republic. I haven't read anything else by this author but very much want to! He is fantastic!

posted in I just finished reading... - 8 replies

The Thirteenth Tale

sakuragooneratne — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 21:56:53 GMT

Very gothic, very beautiful, very measured prose. I loved it had secrets, mysteries and although set in modern times felt almost Dickensian. Has anyone else read it?

posted in I just finished reading... - 11 replies

Books that make you cry

theCryptofishist — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 03:41:38 GMT

Unicorn Mountain, Michael Bishop. Gets me every time. Oh, there's funny parts too.

posted in I just finished reading... - 82 replies

Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins

jamey — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 18:49:30 GMT

What can I say, but...

Wow.

This is the first Robbins book I have read. I was so swept up in his wild ideas, the metaphors, the world travel, the time travel... concepts of immortality... And SMELL! I don't think I've had a book effect me in such a profound way since I read Rudy Rucker's White Light many years ago. This book truly takes you on a journey.

Question for Robbins fans: Which one of his should I read next? I need more! ha!

The citadel was dark, and the heroes were sleeping...

posted in I just finished reading... - 44 replies

"When You Are Engulfed in Flames" by David Sedaris on audiobook! YAY!!

Sallysipper — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:50:14 GMT

Hey guys,

I just found out you can instantly download David Sedaris' new audiobook: "When You Are Engulfed in Flames" from the book's homepage. I just downloaded it and its hilarious!! Perfect for the morning commute...

Check it out:
http://www.whenyouareengulfedinflames.com/

I also found it at Zipidee:
http://www.zipidee.com/zipidAudioPreview.aspx?aid=15bfff61-40a3-41a1-9344-9dc4ba93cec0

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!

SS

posted in I just finished reading... - 4 replies

Political Science

cpr — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:52:27 GMT

by Jeffrey Seeman

I found it a humorous look at a fixed political campaign that goes wrong... the back cover says "reads like a political version of Mel Brooks' The Producers", which is pretty accurate.. and on top of the humor which is poking fun at how elections are broken, there are a couple of nice twists.. :)

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Wolf at My Table by Augustin Burroughs

svnisus — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:35:58 GMT

Terrible terrible book...If it is really true and not true ala James Frey then I feel very sorry for Mr. Burroughs and also very impressed at how he has changed his life.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Travel books that stand on their own?

blackegg — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:06:26 GMT

...I'm reading 'Sunburrned Country' by Bill Bryson.

It's pretty good, there's a part about 5 pages
in where he's describing falling asleep in someones
car that made me laugh harder than I have in months and months!

His best feature is his self deprication
and his interesting use of the English
language.

This may come from his many years in England.

Anyone else read this particular book
OR WISH TO DISCUSS TRAVEL BOOKS in general?

posted in I just finished reading... - 9 replies

Books that freaked you out...

dani — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 20:59:26 GMT

In the vein of our "Books you wanted to throw across the room" thread and our "books that made you want to cry" thread, I want to ask: what books scared you the most?

Either psychologically, or just creepily, which ones made you jump out of your seat, or sream in horror?

posted in I just finished reading... - 91 replies

the book thief

maralove — Fri, 30 May 2008 03:39:27 GMT

i am about to finish this masterful, beautiful book.

has anyone else read it?

the use of death as narrator combined with the fractious beauty of the german plight during ww2 was a stroke of brilliance.

this novel made me cry and wonder at people and their ability to rise above.

i recommend it highly.

posted in I just finished reading... - 6 replies

17,000 novels a year???

blackegg — Sat, 24 May 2008 08:08:04 GMT

From:
"What's the story with Australian fiction?"
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/11/1092102516301.html

"The US publishes about 17,000 novels a year; Australia published just 124 works of adult fiction in 2003. Allowing for population difference, we would have to publish about 10 times as many titles to keep up.

The big publishers defend any decisions to be more selective. They say they are still publishing good Australian fiction.

Clare Forster, the books-for-adults publisher at Penguin Australia, says publishers across the board are concerned about the sales of backlist fiction titles and Penguin is looking at new ways to promote its backlist. Meantime, Penguin is having "a bumper year" for new fiction by established and new writers.

HarperCollins, which has cut back its list by 40 per cent, says that in 2003, a good year, literary fiction sales were down. "Of course that means we must be more selective," says publishing director Shona Martyn. "But I don't believe that strong books are being turned away. There's as much competition for good literary books as ever before, but the books that aren't ready or are not as strong are not being picked up. And to publish a book before it's ready and find it doesn't sell can be more negative for an author."

Random House publisher Jane Palfreyman says the company has not reduced its fiction publishing program. "Perhaps we've been getting more fiction through agents . . . The novels we have been saying 'no' to haven't been hitting the mark. The idea that publishers would knock back a great novel because it wouldn't sell many copies is insane. I'm longing to read something fantastic."

No one knows exactly why Australian readers seem less interested in their own fiction. It might be part of a worldwide trend towards a less literate culture. A new US survey has revealed that fewer than half of Americans over 18 now read novels, short stories, plays or poetry. The decline is accelerating: numbers fell by 5 per cent between 1982 and 1992, and by 14 per cent in the following decade."

Discuss...(?)

posted in I just finished reading... - 9 replies

Brida by Paulo Coelho

michellaan — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:07:31 GMT

Having read quite a few Coelho novels, Brida is not the one that will be remembered best. The story reads easy and quick, but to me it misses the heart, soul and tension of some of his other books. It just feels like this is something he wrote in a hurry. I loved "The devil and miss Prim" and "The Zahir". "Brida" is absolutely not as good.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Paulo Coelho

James — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:00:54 GMT

Open topic for fans of Paulo Coelho's books, ideas, messages, and practices. Your most enjoyed of the above. Criticism is also welcome.

I am i big fan of Coelho having read five of his books to date, very much enjoying each of them and always taking some sort of knowledge from them. Either very obvious information or tools, or knowledge that silently manifests itself to be displayed later, to my supprise in most cases.

Big up Paulo Coelho!

posted in I just finished reading... - 24 replies

The Raw Shark Texts

Laurel — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 19:37:17 GMT

Anyone else reading this? I've read less than a hundred pages, but totally "sucked" into it and I think that is the word to use...my first impressions were more Momento or possibly Being John Malcovitch, but now I'm not sure where it is all headed. Yes, another short term memory story (is this becoming a genre?...just saw the "Lookout") but I think with a novel there is much more freedom to take you places a movie can't. Okay, I don't want to give much away because that's part of the fun, but shall give you a taste.......

"The dark shape glides up into the flow of conversations and stories, swims through the word-hum of packed Saturday night bars, circles the loops and edges of exchanged mobile numbers.

A telephone call is misdialled and, miles away, my unconscious self shifts in sleep, disturbed by a ringing bell.

From four degrees of separation, the shadow under the water catches the scent. A curved, rising signifier, a black idea fin of momentum and intent cuts through the distance between us in a spray of memes..."

...yes, there is a shark of sorts involved, or is there? Steven Hall is the author, a first novel for him. Every page seems to twist into new realms. Would love to hear what others think.

posted in I just finished reading... - 1 reply

Interworld by Gaiman and Reaves

sayyida — Fri, 23 May 2008 23:01:14 GMT

With all the Gaiman topics on here, I was surprised no one's mentioned Interworld yet. It's his newest book, and I read it a few months ago. It was really good, but the only bad thing was that it ended too soon. This is because the book was meant to be sort of a presentation for a pilot of a TV show Gaiman was trying to get produced.

The basic premise is that there are an infinite number of universes ranging from extremes of science-based and magic-based. Most universes fit somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, but the most extreme science and magic based universes are at war with each other, and are taking over the universes closest to them in the spectrum. Joey is the only individual with the power to "walk" between universes, however a version of him (or her! lol) exists in every universe. An army of him is trying to maintain the balance between the forces of science and magic.

posted in I just finished reading... - 2 replies

Kathy's Story

Lynda — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:06:12 GMT

Anyone read that? Forthat matter, the debunker justocme out on it, Kathy's real Story?

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Books that fictionalize real people/celebs well & movie star seduction scenes

jenniannie — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:16:01 GMT

Hi all...I have a request to make. I'm trying to write a novel/story to get a fantasy/obsession out of my head. As you can tell by the title of the post, its about seducing a movie star than keeping a secret (the baby they create) from him...and lots of other 'complications', probly too much to include in one but anyway....
My request is if any could name books that could show by example how to fictionalize a well-known celeb. And by this I mean fiction, not non. Also if there are, and I would think so...anything that has a 'movie star seduction' scene, that would help me bunches!
Jennifer

posted in I just finished reading... - 22 replies

Black Order by James Rollins

latteberry — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:32:41 GMT

Don't know if you've had a chance to read anything by this guy, but, if you would have liked the DaVinci Code if it had been better written, then you'll love James Rollins' stuff. Action adventure with pretty good writing and great, complex plots. And there's usually some archeological/mythical/hard science combo that really pleases. I sat next to the author on an agent/editor event a couple years ago, just when his Map of Bones hit the bestseller list. He's a really shy, modest guy and clearly smart. He's a vet by day. Cool guy! Great book!

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Bad Monkeys by Matt Ruff

tonytohono — Fri, 02 May 2008 01:51:57 GMT

Anyone read this? It's pretty good. Paranoid Psychotic thriller type things that gets really out there. or does it.

posted in I just finished reading... - 3 replies

The Flashman Papers by George MacDonald Fraser (currently 12 books in the series)

Bloke72 — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 06:32:04 GMT

The "Flashman Papers" (currently 12 books in the series) are the fictional diary of Sir Harry Paget Flashman VC KCB KCIE (5th May 1822 - 1915) . He is a military man who sees all sorts of Historic Actions and Events in Europe, Asia, and America - the books incorporate may historical figures like Oscar Wilde, Florence Nightingale, Geronimo, Tsar Nicholas I, Queen Victoria, Custer, Disraeli and many many more. I loved his description of Bismark. Fraser writes his fictional and historical characters with wonderful skill and wit within wonderful plots intertwined with historic events and people

Wikipedia has an entry on these books
"20th century author George MacDonald Fraser had the idea of writing a series of memoirs of the cowardly, bullying Flashman, portraying him as an antihero who cuts a swathe through the Victorian wars and uproars (and the boudoirs and harems) of the 19th century. Flashman - a self-described and unapologetic 'cad' - constantly betrays acquaintances, runs from danger or hides cowering in fear, yet he arrives at the end of each volume with medals, the praise of the mighty, and the love of one or more beautiful and enthusiastic women. "

Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashman (all the titles are listed - read them in order)

These are not really plot spoiler as you will read them on the cover of the first book. "Flashy" starts his military career when he "rogers" a maid in his fathers house and gets her pregnant. The obvious solution to his rich father is to buy the young rogue a commission in the Hussars. His first military exploit of note is during the First Anglo-Afghan War, 1839-1842 - at the Last Stand at Gandamak and Siege of Jalalabad. The coward Flashman takes to his bed (hides under it if memory serves me right) during the siege and is too terrified and cowardly to fight. As the castle is being overrun, he takes the flag and staggers towards the enemy and tires to save his skin by surrendering, when an artillery barrage lands and knocks him unconscious. Later when the British come to the fort they find Flashy, unconscious, with flag in hand, facing the enemy beyond the safety of the fort. They conclude this is a heroic man and Flashy is smart, cunning and dishonest enough just to run with their assumption and his distinguished military career of successful shams and "valiant heroism" is begun.

Truly wonderful wonderful books. I have leant them to Lawyers, Theologians, Plumbers, Historians, Chefs, Kitchen Hands, Nurses, salespeople, etc etc who all loved them...

posted in I just finished reading... - 4 replies

"On the Road - The Original Scroll," by Jack Kerouac

manonamission — Sat, 17 May 2008 20:27:34 GMT

This is an amazing account of Kerouac's travels accross the US and finally into Mexico. It took him just three weeks to write about the three years he spent on the road that started in 1947. This new version of "On the Road" uses the real names of his friends, Neal Cassady, Allen Ginsburg, and Williams S. Burroughs. The book is a bit harder to read because it is in it's original form with no chapters. It reads like it was written and how Kerouac lived it. Kerouac wrote this as one paragraph, typed on eight long sheets of tracing paper that were taped into a 120 foot continuous scroll.

Known for being a counterculter icon, Kerouac never accepted the mantle of being the creator of the beat generation which later evolved into the hippy movement. I recently watched "Jack Kerouac - Whatever Happened to Kerouac" available on Netflix.com. The film is a great backdrop for the book and gives you some insight into Kerouac's friends and his life.

posted in I just finished reading... - 2 replies

"The Algebra of Infinite Justice" by Arundhati Roy

bats — Thu, 22 May 2008 01:44:12 GMT

In a nut shell, this book is a series of essays about dams in India, displacement of native peoples, globalization, privatization, corporate pirates, Enron, 9/11, and the US war with Iraq.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Algebra_of_Infinite_Justice

It's an amazing read that ran me through every emotion. Some things she said, I agreed with, others not so much.

I highly recommend it.

Has anyone else read this? I'd love to hear other view points and discuss it.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Voting for "The Best of the Booker"

Sean — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:48:13 GMT

i don't know if all of these would be in my Top 6 but...
--------
"To celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Booker Prize, six authors are in the running to win a one-off award and be titled The Best of the Booker. Voting is open to residents worldwide and there is only one vote per person. Voting for the prize will end at Midday on Tuesday 8 July with results of the winner announced on Thursday 10 July."

http://www.themanbookerprize.com/news/vote

posted in I just finished reading... - 3 replies

River, Cross my Heart by Breena Clarke

jenniannie — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:43:43 GMT

Hi all...I finally finsihed the above titled book. Was a bit disappointed, or maybe should have read it in fewer/longer sittings. Anyone else read this? It's an oprah book club pick, probly from a few years ago.
Jennifer

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

The Omnivores Delimma

Victoria — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:50:23 GMT

Great great book. It was a quick airport pick up read. One of those books you pay too much for but you have a 3 hour flight ahead of you and you have finished all your magazines.

I could not put it down. It makes me desperately want to support local farms and really question the organics I'm buying. Unfortunately, I've come to find Dallas doesn't really have a lot small organic or grass fed farms.

Sometimes its hard to think global and act local.

posted in I just finished reading... - 20 replies

Bastard Out of Carolina

Kiki — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:10:34 GMT

Last night I finished, Bastard Out of Carolina By Dorothy Alison. It made me so mad I bawled. GREAT book.

posted in I just finished reading... - 6 replies

Mistress of the Art of Death

helenmwalker — Sat, 17 May 2008 22:48:24 GMT

I just finsihed reading "Mistress of the Art of Death" by Ariana Franklin. A fun little Medieval murder mystery. If you are a mystery fan it is a good page turner.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

The Ganymeade Protocol

Meadow — Mon, 05 May 2008 01:28:32 GMT

I just got this one off of Wild Shore Press, which also published the Burning Man novel "The Girl who tried to catch the man". I had no idea what to expect and really got sucked into it.

The novel bounces back and forth between the 19th century and the near future. In the main plot line this young Lesbian couple in an america completely taken over by neocons and religious wack jobs steal a boat to get away and head out for this floating republic of renegades endlessly sailing in a fleet through the Caribbean and Gulf. The past part of the story creates the history of the Fleet and how it gets to present day. I know enough of American history to find it fascinating. Whoever wrote it did their research about 19th century politics, etc etc, with enough accurate historic connections to make it all seem plausible .
The Modern day parts of the story are really well done and the whole thing feels....well...real, like you could go buy a boat and go do this stuff. Its one of those books about possibilities that you can't get out of your head, made doubly relevant by the fact that fringe people and artists and burners all figure into the story.

Anyway I really enjoyed it. Its a short novel, 219 pages, and is available cheap as a download from www.wildshorepress.com. Actually the hardcopy isn't bad at like 12 bucks or something, but I'm broke.

meadow

posted in I just finished reading... - 3 replies

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

faerydancer — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 17:00:12 GMT

Wow, what a beautiful book.
Has anyone else read this? What did you think?

posted in I just finished reading... - 51 replies

Sexing the Cherry, by Jeanette Winterson

DJ_BlackAngus — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:23:34 GMT

Lovely short read, with lyrical writing and wonderful imagery. Anyone else read it?
http://www.amazon.com/Sexing-Cherry-Winterson-Jeanette/dp/0802135781/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209475266&sr=1-1

posted in I just finished reading... - 7 replies

The Sultan's Harem

Thirty Nine — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:29:30 GMT

Just finished:
The Sultan's Harem
Colin Falconer
http://www.amazon.com/Sultans-Harem-Colin-Falconer/dp/1400083125

This is great historical fiction. All the better because, as the author notes, one can never know what went on in the harem of the greatest Sultan who ever lived: Suleyman the Magnificent. That leaves plenty of room for authorial imagination without undermining the credibility of the historical research. We know that Suleyman gave up his harem filled with hundreds of the most beautiful women from all over his vast empire. We know that he broke entirely with his tradition and took from it only one woman and made her his wife. Falconer takes us into the harem and into the minds of Hurrem and Suleyman (among others) and tells his version of their great love story set against the backdrop of the high point of the Ottoman empire and a dynasty that allowed for a Sultan to kill all his brothers and their children to protect his succession and the stability of the Empire.
Compelling reading.

This is the second of Falconer’s books that I have enjoyed. The first being Feathered Serpent, a book about the woman Malinali - translator to Cortes and mother of modern Mexico. There are some interesting parallels between these books. In both the central protagonist is a woman enslaved to a powerful man. Both women rise to positions of great power in their respective empires against tremendous odds. Falconer is one of the few to tell their story .

posted in I just finished reading... - 2 replies

In the American Grin, By William Carlos Williams

Linsey — Sun, 11 May 2008 17:03:36 GMT

I've always loved his poetry, but this novel/ history/ work of literary criticism is so over the top it's amazing. I love it, I hate it, and I can't think of any other book I've read that has achieved such heights of brilliance, and such insane bull shit. Anyone else read this interesting little piece of work?

posted in I just finished reading... - 1 reply

The Memoirs of Helen of Troy Amanda Elyot

Naughty Razor — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:07:10 GMT

Incredible! Absolutely incredible! It was one of those random book store buys and I'm glad I got it. It's beautifully written and amazingly researched. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a love of historical fiction and strong heroines.
I'm now reading Galilee by Clive Barker and I can't put it down!

posted in I just finished reading... - 3 replies

Ysabel, Guy Gavriel Kay

theCryptofishist — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:37:39 GMT

I love Kay, I really do. But this was a bit of a disappointment for me. I don't think it fails as a book necessarily. It just didn't do it for me. The central characters were a pair of contemporary teenagers and the boy's family and other associated grown ups. The boy and girl stumble into this "story" of a love triangle that's been constantly reinvented by subsequent incarnations of the three persons involved in the south of France (Aix en Provannce.) The development and denouncement of this is lovely and sad and rich and romantic in the way that Kay can write so well. But I just didn't like the kids. There weren't unlikable, they just lived lives that called forth nothing from me. So, if you're a Kay fan, read it. If this sounds interesting to you, read it. But I can wait until my copies of Lions of Al-Rasson and a Song for Arbonne show up so I can re-read them. And when he publishes again, I'll be sure to read it as soon as I find it.

posted in I just finished reading... - 1 reply

the new murakami

nommolucas — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 04:04:35 GMT

nobody's read it?
what's the word?

posted in I just finished reading... - 10 replies

This is Your Brain on Music

cpr — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:28:41 GMT

This is Your Brain on Music - The Science of a Human Obsession - by Daniel J Levitin

I am fascinated by the human response to art, both in the general sense, as well as the aspects that make it so subjective. This book did a good job of shedding light on what is known, circa 2006, about this topic in regards to music. For the musicians out there, you may want to skip the first few chapters, as they mostly talk about 'what music is', but it also can be a good refresher. The rest of the book digs deeper into how the brain processes audio information, and how that produces the emotional responses we experience. But, as with most books on these topics, there are no real 'answers', just 'observed phenomenon' and theories about what this means.. All in all it was a good read, and I recommend it.

-cpr

posted in I just finished reading... - 2 replies

"Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of The Christ"

Chopper22 — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:33:15 GMT

This was a fascinating read because the author included some original Greek and Latin translations that I'd never read before. Plus, the mostly Christian bibliography of highly credentialed biblical scholar Christians admitting that when it comes to evidence for Jesus, they've got nothing.

"Who Was Jesus? Fingerprints of The Christ" - VIDEO
http://www.livevideo.com/video/1FDF3828A6ED4FFA99BCBA6AF9D3710F/who-was-jesus-fingerprints-of.aspx

The forum - http://forums.truthbeknown.com/viewtopic.php?t=1563

;

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Heat

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 01:48:20 GMT

I just finished Heat by Bill Buford and I have not been that inspired to cook or butcher in a long time. Nor have I ever been so inspired not to work in a restaurant. Great writer and very funny stories.

posted in I just finished reading... - 2 replies

THE LIFE BEFORE US (MADAME ROSA)

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:31:03 GMT

by Romain Gary or Emile Ajar.
What was a memory of 'once upon a time'.
The silent seeping of heartbleed.
A gathering inward book. Wish the movie were on DVD format.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

"The Kin of Ata Are Waiting For You" (Formerly "The Comforter") by Dorothy Bryant

Max — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:03:12 GMT

A trippy utopia book written in the '70s about a people who fallow their dreams, in the literal sense. I had never heard of it until a buddy of mine read it in jail and did a moral 180. I was pretty impressed my self.

posted in I just finished reading... - 1 reply

The Senators Wife by Sue Miller

svnisus — Mon, 05 May 2008 11:59:21 GMT

Almost finished and all and all it's a been pretty good read but I'm a bit confused about the entire story. Is there a moral to it? Is it one of those "love conquers all up to a point stories"? Is the author trying to show the difference between the generations and how life has changed for women over the years?
I just feel like I'm missing something or maybe I'm trying to hard to read something into it that's not there.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Minority Report by Phillip k. Dick

jenniannie — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 02:52:02 GMT

Hi All... I just finished Minority Report, short read. I saw a little of the movie, will see the whole sometime bc I like Samantha Morton, not bc of Cruise. I'm starting to read sci-fi bc bc I have a writing idea in mind, more towards Star Trek. I'm also slowly reading Dick's "Puttering About in a small Land" - not sci-fi but still good in the opening, characterization, setting. That's my report for now!
Jennifer

posted in I just finished reading... - 16 replies

Hyperion - Dan Simmons

Yendor — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:51:33 GMT

This is a very capable and imminently entertaining nod to the great universes that have been created by Asimov, Niven, et. al.

Written in 1990, it tries, and succeeds as a hard sci-fi epic. The Hegemony of Mankind spans 160 worlds linked by the "farcaster" network, a system of instantaneous-transport wormholes. Outside this network are colonial worlds, which are reached through ships employing Hawkins drive, faster-than-light travel, which incurs "time-debt" as a result of relativity. The original Earth had failed due to a Great Mistake, initiating a diaspora about 400 years after Man's first colonizations of other worlds through Hawkins drive. One one outpost world, explorers discovered the Time Tombs, which science has determined are traveling backwards in time, in an anti-entropic field. Within this field, dwells the Shrike, a seemingly all-powerful monstrosity of a four-armed humanoid made completely of glimmering sharp edges...

The tale has high drama, high-tech battle scenes, and epic journey, a bit of fantasy and a good helping of good ol' fashioned hard sci-fi, Asimov style, all set in a background of impending interplanetary war.

An excellent read, indeed. It's the first in a series of these book, of which I've onlt read this one.

posted in I just finished reading... - 6 replies

The Concubine's Tattoo

Leah — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:08:44 GMT

By Laura Joh Rowland. The book and storyline were ok. It was an interesting look into Japanese culture, however much may have been accurate, I don't know. Anyone else read it? What did you think?

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Born on a Blue Day

jay — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:40:02 GMT

A book about an autistic savant in England named Daniel Tammet who has some amazing mental powers. Inspiring and entertaining.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Bloodline by F. Paul Wilson

yoshispacebreaker — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:42:40 GMT

It's the 11th book in the Reparman Jack series.

Does ANYONE here even read the Repairman Jack series? It's kinda pulpy, but at other times extremely technical. It's like McGyver meets Pulp Fiction meets Lovecraft. It's about a guy who's NOT in any government records who "fixes" situations for people. He's a real scientific, down to earth, nuts and bolts type guy who unwittingly gets dragged into a war between dark forces quite beyond the ken of science to explain. Riveting, page-turning stuff!!!

If that sounds appealing to you, here's a link to the 'site:

http://www.repairmanjack.com/

Methinx a movie is in the very early stages of casting, using Ryan Reynolds as Repairman Jack.

posted in I just finished reading... - 3 replies

House of Widows

Meander — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:54:45 GMT

I don't normally post, but this is a fabulous book that may otherwise slip through the cracks.

The images on the cover of a book pulled me in: a combination of an unreadable expression in the woman’s eyes, suspended over the foggy Eastern European landscape. Jhumpa Lahiri’s “irresistible,” played its part. I couldn’t put it down by the time I reached the line: “we let the silence soak up the rest of the questions.” Lots of fabulous insightful lines and a well-woven storyline.

"Every child strands as a question before its parents. You brought me here why?"

"It's amazing how whatever space you're in changes you. Swimming, in the shower, eating, do you have a name? I don't."

posted in I just finished reading... - 3 replies

The Sars My Destination, by Alfred Bester

DJ_BlackAngus — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:43:45 GMT

One of the best science fiction books I've read, with portions that remind me of Simmon's Hyperion and the movie Firefly.

Recently republished, it first came out in 1956 as Tiger, Tiger!
www.amazon.com/Stars-My-D...pd_bbs_sr_1

posted in I just finished reading... - 1 reply

Beware of Newsmax Ads on Tribe

manonamission — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:53:09 GMT

They ask "Should Hilary Quit" or other issues about the Democratic candidates. But in reality, they are a radical right organization in Washington that is trying to put a positive spin on everything Bush... Like, it is Congress that is responsible for high gas prices not Bush. They trick you to taking their poll and then they bombard you emails full of lies and try to spin the truth. The organization is "Americans for Tax Reform." Their website address is atr.org. Check if out if you don't belive me. These people are unreal. Here are some titles of their propoganda:

Aren’t Fuel Prices High Enough!?!?

Take Action now to put the brakes on higher energy taxes!

How are we supposed to afford to take our kids to school and get to work when the liberals in Congress slap even more taxes on our fuel costs? GO »

Liberals Are Stealing Your Freedom, Crushing Your Jobs & Killing the American Economy
Don’t Allow the Left to Raise Taxes on Energy! GO »

Tell Your Congressman to Oppose the Tax Increase of the Week
Latest Tax Hike Will Force Companies Offshore GO »

House Liberals Vote Next Week to Tax Your Pension GO »

Don’t allow free speech to be silenced!

Amendment to kill the Fairness Doctrine to be voted on today! GO »

They try hard to blame the Democrats for everything Bush did and didn't do and now want to convince you.

Take a stand and let them know that they are full of s**t!. Call or fax them at 202-785-0266 off and 202-785-0261 fax
Stop whining about whats wrong and make your voice heard!!

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Animal Vegetable, Miracle.

HUNNYDUMELONS — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:28:31 GMT

Barbara Kingsolver

An easy, quick read that I liked a lot more than her fiction. Really informative without being preachy.

posted in I just finished reading... - 1 reply

Alice Hoffman, The Ice Queen

Thirty Nine — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:34:28 GMT

A sweet, sad, lovely book.

posted in I just finished reading... - 3 replies

Hi from a tribe newbie -- re Philip Pulllman!

stefsvoice — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:30:34 GMT

Reading The Subtle Knife...by Philip Pullman. I'm only almost half way through, but it's definitely a thumbs up. It's really good. I'll be back when I'm finished!

Cheers...

Happiness and good health to all....

stefania
:D

posted in I just finished reading... - 1 reply

Lighting Up: How I Quit Smoking, Drinking, and Everything Else I Loved In Life Except Sex by the wonderful Susan Shapiro

Freyaphrodite — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:33:04 GMT

Lighting Up: How I Quit Smoking, Drinking, and Everything Else I Loved In Life Except Sex

Funny Book, interesting, theraputic, and silly, silly, silly!

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Simplicity is still refreshing ...

Shechina — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:10:15 GMT

Warrior of the light, Paulo Coehlo
Simplicity is still refreshing.

I feel all clean and squeaky fresh !

I want to read it again, next time in Portuguese. A gentle way to learn this íngua sedutora.

I seldom read about authors lives and don’t know about Coehlo’s or his interests, but I’ll venture to guess
that he has found inspiration in the I ching…

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

"The Terror" - by Dan Simmons

Sean — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:15:13 GMT

Impressively researched and compellingly paced. And written with genuine literary flair. If you were ever curious what the daily tedious tasks necessary in order to survive trapped in the Arctic ice, battling starvation, scurvy, depression, hygiene - not to mention your own mortality, this will vividly bring it to life. Unfortunately Simmons should've ditched all the fantastical elements of the story and just kept it as a straight narrative of survival. It certain could stand on its own as that. The book is a bit bloated and the supernatural/folk myth portions of the story get a bit silly at points. Not to mention, ultimately disappointing = how some elements are narratively wrapped up. And although I'm sure the author personally isn't ... but there's a whiff of homophobia about the novel that I was mildly offended by. The over-the-top moral perversion of the 'homo villain mastermind' becomes increasingly unacceptable as things progress. It's debatable but that's my opinion. I don't regret reading it but it could've been tighter.

posted in I just finished reading... - 6 replies

Must be maturing....

svnisus — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:52:45 GMT

Once upon a time a new Stephen King book would come out and I wouldn't put it down...last night I read about 50 pages of his new one, Duma Key, and this morning took it back to the library.
Finally I think I am becoming a "grown-up" reader.

posted in I just finished reading... - 5 replies

The Girl Who Tried To Catch The Man--R.J. Thomas

Meadow — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 04:04:10 GMT

Just finished reading a download of this, and its a lot fun and a lot of thoughtful. Its set entirely at the burning man festival, and the fact that Thomas is apparently a long time burner really shows in the way he portrays black rock city and its citizens. Its a short novel and I've found myself reading sections over and over.

Would love to hear other people's reactions to it. The book is available either hardcopy or download at www.wildshorepress.com.

posted in I just finished reading... - 3 replies

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

AiYume — Sat, 22 Jan 2005 05:24:12 GMT

When I spotted this book at the Virgin Megastore, it seemed to stand out from the others around it. Last time this happened was with a book by Helen DeWitt called The Last Samurai. I decided at the time I couldn't afford it and put it back. It took me over a year to track it down again and I regretted that I'd not read it earlier. This time I did some research, found out which two of the three colors they had was the first edition and bought it that evening.

It turned out I had heard of the book before when Neil Gaiman was defending his review in his blog (http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/2004/09/from-mailbag-er-i-won-huck.asp ). A statement that it was the best book about English magic in 70 years had ruffled some feathers. I won't say anything about his defense except that there is a difference between an English author writing about magic, and an author writing a book about magic in England.

It took me a few weeks to get through almost 800 pages (most of my reading gets done on the BART to and from work), but it was a most enjoyable journey. The end of the book leaves me with a sense of completion and a desire to see how the world develops from there.

I don't want to reveal of the buried magic of this book, but I will say it starts as a personal journey of Mr. Norrell to bring magic back to England turns into an epic tale of English magic. This book creates a mythology that will stand up with the strongest of them.

posted in I just finished reading... - 39 replies

Kids books adults should never read (or re-read.)

theCryptofishist — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 01:19:59 GMT

You know the drill. You pick up some beloved childhood classic only to find the magic gone. Or there's a lot of fuss over a kid's book and it's just cringe-worthy. Titles?

And let's just stipulate that Harry Potter's going to be on there, so we don't have to go through the whole argument again.

posted in I just finished reading... - 14 replies

kids books that grownups should read ( or re-read)

HUNNYDUMELONS — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 22:08:03 GMT

The Rainbow Goblins- Ul De Rico

Coraline-Neil Gaiman

The Giving Tree- Shel Silverstien

posted in I just finished reading... - 96 replies

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum

Beth — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:19:32 GMT

To say much would be too much but I highly recommend this book...set in WWII Germany this book will make you stop and think. I was hesitant the first 20 pages...by page 50 I couldn't put it down.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

The Namesake

hollycejones — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:23:00 GMT

Excited to finally get my hands on this book by Jhumpa Lahiri.
I read Interpreter of Maladies years ago and found it soooo captivating!

posted in I just finished reading... - 2 replies

Dallas metroplex book group?

Kathryn — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:16:45 GMT

I recently moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth area and am trying to find a book group. Does anyone have any leads? I am also looking for unique, local bookstores that inspire. Any ideas out there? The chains are too depressing to contemplate but if that's all I have to choose from,then I guess I'll deal. Thanks for any and all tips/sources/ideas!!!

posted in I just finished reading... - 1 reply

Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere

organism013 — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 02:51:59 GMT

I finished it a couple ofweeks ago and found it to be absolutely fantastic. Has anyone else read this book? What did you think?

posted in I just finished reading... - 37 replies

Labyrinth of Desire

Bluemoon — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:22:12 GMT

Hi! I don't come on to Tribe as often anymore, just letting you know I'm not new. Anyhow, I am almost finished re-reading Rosemary Sullivan's book "Labyrith of Desire". It is an anthology about obsessive love (more women to man, than man to woman). It is an interesting read . Anyone ever read it? If so what were your thoughts? Did any chapter in particular stand out for you? I have high-lighted so many things this time around. i.e "...the lover is a vicarious route to some essential part of herself that she does not yet fully recognize or understand... He is the heroic territory she longs to occupy." I've always loved that passage, and kept it in the back of my mind. Very lovely writing.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Ben Elton, Anyone?

AudioArchitect — Sun, 16 Oct 2005 18:07:13 GMT

I just finished 'Past Mortum','This Other Eden' and 'High Society'. All of which were very gripping naratives tackling difficult subjects with style and wit. Nothing is black and white about the litrature from the man who wrote BBC's Blackadder, and the Young Ones.

posted in I just finished reading... - 4 replies

Schismatrix - Bruce Sterling

Bink — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 12:28:28 GMT

First Sterling book I've read not counting that train wreck him and Gibson wrote together, the Difference Engine.

It took me almost a third of the book to get into it, but once I did it was amazing. It is probably one of the best general sci-fi books I've read. It mostly follows the protagonist with a some asides to the antagonist and other characters. It starts in what I assumed to be the fairly new future. Humanity has begun living in space in orbiting habitats and taken control of their own evolution. There are two main factions, the Shapers which rely on genetic engineering and more 'organic' methods and the Mechanistics which rely on cybernetics. There is somewhat of a cold war between the two. Earth has gone completely Luddite and closed themselves off. The main theme of the story seems to be how the advances in technology effect the progress and evolution of humanity. The story also spans a very long period time, and does it rather well. Sterling makes things pretty clear, or clear enough, with out getting bogged down in details that many sci-fi writers do. Most of the explanations you get are through well done hints dropped in conversation with the characters. There is very little in the way of characters monologuing to convey key concepts to the reader. He also doesn't illustrate the evolution of humanity as linear. The main character's story is of course linear but there are a lots of possibilities left open overall. I read a copy called "Schismatrix Plus" which also contained four short stories in the same general setting.

posted in I just finished reading... - 4 replies

Merle's Door

WabanakiWmn — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:52:16 GMT

Merle's Door : Lesson From a Free Thinking Dog

A wonderful and touching story~good read f you just want something less heady and different. Have tissues at the end though!

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

"Walden" by H. D. Thoreau

ivan-carrillo — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:48:19 GMT

Everyone should read it ;)

posted in I just finished reading... - 13 replies

Jasper Fforde

SatNam_Girl — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 19:52:35 GMT

His books are wacky and delicious! Long live Thursday Next and dodo clones...

posted in I just finished reading... - 9 replies

The positronic Man by Isaac Asimov & Robert Silverberg

jenniannie — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:32:57 GMT

Hi all...am dipping into sci-fi, and picked up The positronic Man. It was a simple story, a good start. I was wanting to read asimov's foundations series, but couldn't find first one in library, but will keep looking.
In the bookstore as I was perusing the sci-area, I picked up a couple collections and "flatland" A romance.... by Edward Abbot. Has anyone read this? It seems to be all about shapes...
Also, on the kinky side, what books include sex with robots?
Today I saw an interesting collection "The stories before Narnia".
Now am trying to read Joyce Carol oates short story collection "Will you love me Tomorrow" and Proulx's "The Shipping News".
Anyway...see ya later...
Jennifer

posted in I just finished reading... - 1 reply

Seeing Redd - Frank Beddor

newmoondaughter69 — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:07:50 GMT

Seeing Redd is the sequel to The Looking Glass Wars that I read at the end of last year. (you can search up the thread if interested). More violent and political than the first, but totally awesome. I really love the way the author takes the characters and places from the original Lewis Carroll books and twists them with a sci-fi fantasy bent. I wonder if DragonCon would pick up on it sometime......or maybe one of the ComicCons already has it....I know he does do graphic novels along with the books.....I’ve been thinking of looking at the Hatter series that I saw on Amazon.....

Definitely recommended, even if you weren't a real fan of Alice in Wonderland....my DBF is reading book one now, and really enjoys the scifi weaponry and such. Besides, everyone knows the story - so it's easy to appreciate the riffs on the "checkerboard desert" and such.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

The Book Thief

bobzyeruncle — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 17:12:48 GMT

It was just lovely. I'm curious to know of any 14-16 year olds who read it (allegedly the target market?).

posted in I just finished reading... - 11 replies

"The Monsters of Templeton" - by Lauren Groff

Sean — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:14:09 GMT

I had fairly high hopes for this being a fun, quality read. Nuh-uh. It has more than a slight whiff of 'chick lit fluff' about it unfortunately. While her descriptions have visual flair, the overall tone of this novel is cutesy and contrived. The multiple narrative perspectives seem forced, with several just feeling like tacked-on filler (ex: the running group. hello/why?) The main character is ultimately confronted (gently, of course!) as being the self-absorbed, spoiled brat/snob that she clearly is. But ultimately we're supposed to find her 'quirky and lovable'. Ha. She is breathtakingly narcissistic. Thus making her impossible to sympathize with, let alone tolerate the longer you're around her. Likewise annoying is the author's (at first, well-intentioned) gushing nostalgia for her hometown (aka, Cooperstown, NY). That treacly faucet becomes so repetitive as to be a deal-breaker right there. Yes, you have extreme affection for "Templeton" = We. Get. It. Equally repetitive is the fact that virtually every character has some (again) lovable quirk which makes him or her warm fuzzy nice/tractor beam likable. Frothy, yes. Bearable, no. The needlessly added elements of psychic events and fantastical creatures are distracting and only further the 'kitchen sink' feel of the story as a whole.

At several points, I resisted my gut response to chuck this book across the room. I really should've listened. The only reason I didn't is that it's fast reading. On nearly every page there's at least one groaner example of cloying, self-satisfied writing. The author refuses to throw even one hard punch at her characters. Lord forbid the main one - who continually gets the easy-out at every turn. Shocker, I know. Honestly, this ultimately reads like a calculated attempt at fishing for a romantic comedy film offer. She'd be lucky if The Lifetime Channel were tempted to take this hokey bait. (Think "Desperate Non-Housewives" meets "Picket Fences".)

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Stonewall award..the Printz award... or the Andre Norton Award

Elise — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:47:38 GMT

I am taking a class on Young Adult Literature and the teacher would like us to read 5 books that have won literary awards in one of the categories above....none of which were familiar to me.

If you have read a great book that has received any of the awards above I would love to get some suggestions for titles.

Stonewall winners: http://www.ala.org/ala/glbtrt/stonewall/stonewallbook.cfm#2002

Printz award winners http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/printzaward/previouswinners/winners.cfm

I couldn't find a list for the Andre Norton award, but it is for fantasy or science fiction and looks to be connected to the Nebula award.

posted in I just finished reading... - 1 reply

Fool on The Hill- Matt Ruff

HUNNYDUMELONS — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:03:44 GMT

I could not wait for this book to end. Too many characters, too many subplots, and the only character I even cared about was Luther.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

The Good Fairies of New York

treesong — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:04:28 GMT

Silly, fun and quick, filled with fairies who love whiskey, old New York punk, mushrooms and sex.

From the Intro by Neil Gaiman:
This is a book for every fiddler who has realised, half-way through playing an ancient Scottish air, the the Ramones "I Wanna Be Sedated" is what folk music is really all about, and gone straight into it. It's a book for every girl with home-dyed hair and fairy wings who can't honestly remember what happened last night.

posted in I just finished reading... - 5 replies

The Snow Leopard by Paul Matthiessen

CptnEuphoria — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:14:55 GMT

Excellent, sleepy, dreamy, spiritual. Makes me very very very sad for the plight of the Tibetians at the hands of the brutal Chinese regime.

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Fantasy & Romance Author seeks feedback!!!

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:34:02 GMT

Hi all! R. Leigh here....

I am the author of The Winds of Asharra, a 600 page combination Fantasy & Romance novel recently published (please check out our site at http://www.thewindsofasharra.com ). We are actively looking for feedback on WOA since it is a crossover product, appealing to both Romance and Fantasy readers (something that has our traditional publishers scratching their heads). We're in the midst of both book launch and site launch time (very hectic) and would like your input.

In keeping with this request for feedback we are now offering the 600 page PDF version of WOA for FREE on our site (sure, we are hoping you will browse it and eventually purchase either the paperback or hardbound version, we admit).

Please check out the FREE pdf version and let us know how we can best market WOA to fantasy and romance readers. We'd really like to help WOA finds its fullest audience. Several bookstores are already getting onboard but we really need some input how to promote this hybrid creature. Consider this as a request to become part of a focus group. We'd really like to know your thoughts about WOA and how to best market it to both Fantasy and Romance fans. Please help the Winds of Asharra reach its audience. Being a crossover product is hard enough as is! Spread the word and show the Big Guys that something new is possible. Help us be carried along by the Winds of Asharra!!!

Thanks for your time!

R. Leigh

posted in I just finished reading... - 0 replies

Possible Side-Effects by Augusten Burroughs

akredhead — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:40:05 GMT

First let me say that I love this author (almost as much as I love David Sedaris...but not quite).

I blasted through his three previous memoirs and was excited to see this next one, although, I was curious what ELSE he could have written about since his life was pretty much well documented.

I wish I could say that this book was as good as the three previous...but it really wasn't. His stories were pretty cute and unusual...and sometimes the authors biting wit would show through, but overall I thought the stories were watered down.

I also hated how each story ended with a conclusionary sentence that seemed contrived...something along the lines of: "But I never pass an old lady without thinking of Maude" or 'And that's why I never eat ice-cream on Sundays" or "That dog was the best dog I ever had, until I met the next dog." It was just...like...blah...really Augusten? You had to go the "and the moral of the story is..." route?

I just remember his other books to be more cutting, funnier and more witty. This book was entertaining and a good read but really not his best and certainly not my favorite.

Perhaps after reading "Running with Scissors" nothing can be as shocking.

posted in I just finished reading... - 1 reply