What are YOU reading? (Formerly Summer of Books...)

[Deleted]

I did like sycamore row. I like how Grisham tells an honest story about behind the scenes lawyering. The historical elements were also very well done. 

I forgot I recently finished The Art Forger too... I loved the art parts, the history and details and forgery step by steps. But the internal dialogue, interpersonal relationships and dialogue were eye roll inducing at times. 

[jeep108]

I just finished Confess by Colleen Hoover, she had me in tears from page 1.  I have also read her book Hopeless that I liked a lot too. 

I'm reading the First Grave On the Right by Darynda Jones.

Tomorrow Sherrilyn Kenyon's  Born Defiance comes out, it's the 9th book in her League Series.  I can't wait.

[tcu2003]

May 11, 2015 12:12:01 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

The Boys in the Boat is going with me on my plane ride next weekend.

This was a really good read!

[Angel!]

I am currently reading Evolution by Bill Nye & I am loving it. I have a whole new respect for the guy that I just used to think of as "Bill Nye the Science Guy".

A lot of the books listed are on my list to read soon - Girl on the Train, All the Light we cannot see. I've read the first maze runner book, so I want to read the second.  Did anyone else find the Maze Runner movie better than the book? I think this may be the only time I've felt this way, but I thought all the changes they made in the movie made for a much better, more logical story. 

Then I want to read Mindset, which was recommended by our elementary school principal for everyone to read.  I have no idea what it is about, but she thinks it will help everyone better understand how kids (and adults) learn.  I'm like 25th on the waiting list for that book, so either it is really popular or a lot of people locally have taken her seriously & want to read it.

I also have just started the second book of Game of Thrones, but am going to wait until I have more time to really get into it.  I have trouble following the story & characters if I just read a few pages here & there.

[happyhoix]

May 12, 2015 12:23:43 GMT -5 Angel! said:

I am currently reading Evolution by Bill Nye & I am loving it. I have a whole new respect for the guy that I just used to think of as "Bill Nye the Science Guy".

A lot of the books listed are on my list to read soon - Girl on the Train, All the Light we cannot see. I've read the first maze runner book, so I want to read the second.  Did anyone else find the Maze Runner movie better than the book? I think this may be the only time I've felt this way, but I thought all the changes they made in the movie made for a much better, more logical story. 

Then I want to read Mindset, which was recommended by our elementary school principal for everyone to read.  I have no idea what it is about, but she thinks it will help everyone better understand how kids (and adults) learn.  I'm like 25th on the waiting list for that book, so either it is really popular or a lot of people locally have taken her seriously & want to read it.

I also have just started the second book of Game of Thrones, but am going to wait until I have more time to really get into it.  I have trouble following the story & characters if I just read a few pages here & there.

I read all the Game of Thrones books and while I like them, the guy has WAAAY too many characters wandering around. I think there are supposed to be maybe two books left in the series, so he should be paring some of those extra characters down, but instead he keeps adding more new ones in.  He needs a big earthquake or plague to thin the population a bit, to move the books along faster.

If you're reading the hardback/paperback edition, there should be some pages at the end that list al the families, plus their major members, employees and relatives. That's the only way I could keep them halfway strait, and I suspect, should he ever finally publish the next book, I'm going to have to go back and re-read at least parts of the earlier books to remember who the heck everyone is.  

[cktc]

I finally, finally, finished the Fiery Cross, book 5 of the Outlander series. It was just so boring I've decided to take a break from the series.

Now I'm giving JD Robb's (Nora Roberts) In Death series a whirl. My sister has been trying to sell me on them for years, but I'm not big on mystery books. I'll probably give it at least three books since they are a quick read.

Once I'm fully recovered from my Fiery Cross coma I should probably find something with a little more substance to mix it up a bit.

[Deleted]

I thought Girl on the Train was ok. Compelling enough to keep me reading I guess. But not nearly as good as Gone Gorl to whic I've heard comparisons.

I listened to Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Lobrary... If you still have older elementary or so kids is recommend. Puts you in mind of Mixed Up Files and Willy Wonka... And tons of fun children's lit references.

Captain, has daughter read Theif, Queen of Attolia Etc.

[Deleted]

May 17, 2015 22:32:19 GMT -5 oped said:

I thought Girl on the Train was ok. Compelling enough to keep me reading I guess. But not nearly as good as Gone Gorl to whic I've heard comparisons.

I listened to Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Lobrary... If you still have older elementary or do kids is recommend. Puts you in mind of Mixed Up Files and Willy Wonka... And tons of fun children's lit references.

Captain, has daughter read Theif, Queen of Attolia Etc.

Gone Girl was better for sure. I liked the Girl on the Train though it did drag out a little to long.

[The Captain]

May 17, 2015 22:32:19 GMT -5 oped said:

I thought Girl on the Train was ok. Compelling enough to keep me reading I guess. But not nearly as good as Gone Gorl to whic I've heard comparisons.

I listened to Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Lobrary... If you still have older elementary or so kids is recommend. Puts you in mind of Mixed Up Files and Willy Wonka... And tons of fun children's lit references.

Captain, has daughter read Theif, Queen of Attolia Etc.

Nope, but I'll start a list for her and put those one it - who is the author?

Read the Maze Runner over the weekend.  Pretty much finished it in about 4 hours.  Had a lot of it figured out about half way through (I tend to do that a lot dammit!).  Still, decent book but I'm told the movie is better.  We'll see.

DH has started the next book in that series.  She let some of her grades slip and we've already taken away electronics.  I've told her she gets a trip to the bookstore only after she gets all her grades up past C's (of which she had three).  She's only got one C now so maybe we can hit the bookstore this weekend.

[Deleted]

I have some extra copies of The Thief, first book, left fro book club. Message me and I'll send you one if you want.

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0060824972/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1431956479&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=the+thief

[weltschmerz]

I'm just finishing Ebola, byr Dr.W.T.Close. It's about the first wave of ebola in Zaire in the 70s. Very, very good.

I also can't wait to sink my teeth into Stephen King's Revival, which I bought yesterday.

[Angel!]

May 18, 2015 8:36:36 GMT -5 The Captain said:

May 17, 2015 22:32:19 GMT -5 oped said:

I thought Girl on the Train was ok. Compelling enough to keep me reading I guess. But not nearly as good as Gone Gorl to whic I've heard comparisons.

I listened to Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Lobrary... If you still have older elementary or so kids is recommend. Puts you in mind of Mixed Up Files and Willy Wonka... And tons of fun children's lit references.

Captain, has daughter read Theif, Queen of Attolia Etc.

Nope, but I'll start a list for her and put those one it - who is the author?

Read the Maze Runner over the weekend.  Pretty much finished it in about 4 hours.  Had a lot of it figured out about half way through (I tend to do that a lot dammit!).  Still, decent book but I'm told the movie is better.  We'll see.

DH has started the next book in that series.  She let some of her grades slip and we've already taken away electronics.  I've told her she gets a trip to the bookstore only after she gets all her grades up past C's (of which she had three).  She's only got one C now so maybe we can hit the bookstore this weekend.

I finished the second maze runner this weekend. The problem for me is that while it has a very compelling plot, but the story line and way both books were written makes me go 'meh'.

I feel like the third one will either make or break the series for me. I feel like the whole thing is leading up to an ending that I'm going to find disappointing, but I really hope I'm wrong.

[lexxy703]

May 11, 2015 15:39:58 GMT -5 oped said:

I did like sycamore row. I like how Grisham tells an honest story about behind the scenes lawyering. The historical elements were also very well done. 

I forgot I recently finished The Art Forger too... I loved the art parts, the history and details and forgery step by steps. But the internal dialogue, interpersonal relationships and dialogue were eye roll inducing at times. 

I read this shortly after Christmas & really enjoyed it.  I also read the newest one he released at Christmas.  I can't even remember the name it was that unimpressive to me.  It had to do with the coal industry.

I just recently discovered Jeffrey Deaver & his character Lincoln Rhyme.  I think I will be checking out a few of these this summer.

I am currently reading 77 Shadow Street by Dean Koonts.  I realized after I started that I had already read it, but I don't really remember too much going on so I am rereading it.

[The Captain]

May 20, 2015 14:49:42 GMT -5 Angel! said:

May 18, 2015 8:36:36 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Nope, but I'll start a list for her and put those one it - who is the author?

Read the Maze Runner over the weekend.  Pretty much finished it in about 4 hours.  Had a lot of it figured out about half way through (I tend to do that a lot dammit!).  Still, decent book but I'm told the movie is better.  We'll see.

DH has started the next book in that series.  She let some of her grades slip and we've already taken away electronics.  I've told her she gets a trip to the bookstore only after she gets all her grades up past C's (of which she had three).  She's only got one C now so maybe we can hit the bookstore this weekend.

I finished the second maze runner this weekend. The problem for me is that while it has a very compelling plot, but the story line and way both books were written makes me go 'meh'.

I feel like the third one will either make or break the series for me. I feel like the whole thing is leading up to an ending that I'm going to find disappointing, but I really hope I'm wrong.

Ok, help me out here. Is the second book worth my time or not? We already bought it for DD, and I try to work on knowing what she's reading, but I'm not sure I want to give away another 4-5 hours of my life on a 'meh' book...

[jeep108]

I'm reading The Pocket Wife this week.  It's hard for me to get through.  All of the characters in the book are just really unlikeable.

[Deleted]

I'm listening to Jurrasic Park leading up to the whole Jurrasic World thing...  Never actually read it before! I like it. I'm getting lots of weeding and cleaning done, lol. 

[weltschmerz]

May 20, 2015 15:50:52 GMT -5 oped said:

I'm listening to Jurrasic Park leading up to the whole Jurrasic World thing...  Never actually read it before! I like it. I'm getting lots of weeding and cleaning done, lol. 

You're still not reading it, now.

[Deleted]

It's good!  

[Angel!]

May 20, 2015 15:43:26 GMT -5 The Captain said:

May 20, 2015 14:49:42 GMT -5 Angel! said:

I finished the second maze runner this weekend. The problem for me is that while it has a very compelling plot, but the story line and way both books were written makes me go 'meh'.

I feel like the third one will either make or break the series for me. I feel like the whole thing is leading up to an ending that I'm going to find disappointing, but I really hope I'm wrong.

Ok, help me out here. Is the second book worth my time or not? We already bought it for DD, and I try to work on knowing what she's reading, but I'm not sure I want to give away another 4-5 hours of my life on a 'meh' book...

If you felt like the first was a waste of time, then I would skip the second. It was pretty similar IMO.

My problem is I can't envision an ending to the series that will pull everything together so that the story makes sense. If it does, then I think I will enjoy the series, but I'm really expecting some sort of let down like when you finish a book and learn 'it was all a dream' or some other equally cop out ending.

[irishpad]

May 9, 2015 17:45:16 GMT -5 oped said:

I have never gotten through House Sevdn Gables! It used to be my anti-ansomnia book, lol. Let me know if you like it.

Finally finished it..... and yes, it put me to sleep every night for about 3 weeks.      Overall, I did like it.   Very different form of novel than contemporary.   Much of the novel was descriptive of the background of the situation and very little of it was dialog.   It flowed VERY slowly.   When there was dialog, it kept my interest much more.  Recently read from the same time period Pride and Prejudice and enjoyed that much more.   

Since I purchased a Kindle, I have made it a practice to read some of the "classics" I have never read and can download for free.  Next is either Babbitt or Anna Karenina.

[Deleted]

I loooove Pride and Prejudice, listening to it is my happy place.

I finished Jurrasic Park and Lost World.. 2nd book and movie weren't even close. I'm ready for the new movie now! 

I havent read anything in a week. Think I'll mindless romance this week.

[Deleted]

If you want mindless romance and love Jane Austin, try some Georgette Heyer. She's not as good as Austin, but she's good. I read her when I was in my 20s so I've forgotten the story lines in the last 40 years. Two of her books are Kindle deals today (Monday, June 1).

I just finished "The Right Thing." It was compared to "The Help," but they are very different books. I guess the comparison is based on the fact that they are set in Jackson, MS, and deal with social classes. I didn't like "The Help" that much because I agree that it is difficult for a white woman to write from a black person's perspective. But it was ok. I liked "The Right Thing" better even though the ending was a little too tidy. It would be a good book club book. It was also a Kindle deal of the day.

[Angel!]

May 20, 2015 14:49:42 GMT -5 Angel! said:

May 18, 2015 8:36:36 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Nope, but I'll start a list for her and put those one it - who is the author?

Read the Maze Runner over the weekend.  Pretty much finished it in about 4 hours.  Had a lot of it figured out about half way through (I tend to do that a lot dammit!).  Still, decent book but I'm told the movie is better.  We'll see.

DH has started the next book in that series.  She let some of her grades slip and we've already taken away electronics.  I've told her she gets a trip to the bookstore only after she gets all her grades up past C's (of which she had three).  She's only got one C now so maybe we can hit the bookstore this weekend.

I finished the second maze runner this weekend. The problem for me is that while it has a very compelling plot, but the story line and way both books were written makes me go 'meh'.

I feel like the third one will either make or break the series for me. I feel like the whole thing is leading up to an ending that I'm going to find disappointing, but I really hope I'm wrong.

So I finished the third book & am overall disappointed with the series.  I feel like the author came up with an awesome dystopian plot idea - kids in a maze - great plot idea.  But then had to come up with some explanation for why they were stuck in a maze and that is where he utterly failed IMO.  I kept hoping the next book would provide an adequate reason, but they never did.  So I have a tough time getting into a story where I just don't buy into the overall situation.

Why I don't like the maze explanation:

SPOILER: Click to show

He tried to be too scientific about the reason for the maze. Used science words - controls, variable, etc. But at the end of the day, they needed to be able to get data when the kids are feeling various emotions. I can't help but feel you could have equally scared some kids, forced them to solve puzzles, put them into a crazy environment without building some insane maze that would have taken years & billions to build. No scientist is going to collect data in the absolute hardest & most expensive way possible, especially when time is short. So this just ruins the whole storyline for me.  I would have been happier if aliens built the maze & stuck kids in for their amusement.

I also just didn't like the writing style.  He tried too hard to be suspenseful & create a puzzle.  But a lot of the suspense was created just by having characters refuse to tell the main character anything & telling him not to ask questions.  That is just annoying.  Much of the time the characters actions didn't make sense to me based on what we knew about them, so I spent way to much time thinking that the main character is being an idiot because he is doing X, when he should be doing Y.  We spend the entire book in his head, so in a well written, well devised story I should have no problem understanding why he is doing X, even if X is a stupid choice at that time.

I rarely, rarely ever dislike a book.  But this series - meh.

[Deleted]

I'm listening to Moving Day by Jonathan Stone. I'm meh about it. I like the premise, I'd like to see the resolution, but man this guy likes his words and 1-2 descriptors/ phrases aren't enough if 4-6 can be found. I'm sure I bought it as a deal of the day, or is consider returning it and picking up a used hard copy so I can just skim the end...

I'm reading some Michael Palmer old ones, rather than romance, still easy and relatively light.

Daughter said she originally thought the 4th book, Kill Order was after the thee maze runners, but I guess it's a prequel? I asked her. You didn't realize it ended? She said, it could have ended. But I guess I was expecting something more... She didn't finish the prequel.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I am currently reading The Great Beanie Baby Bubble which is all about the beanie baby craze in the 90's.

I remember it very well and I have a few beanies lurking around in my parents basement somewhere.

I find the discussion about investment mentalities and bubbles really fascinating.   It's definitely a book YM-ers would enjoy.

I finally got my hands on a copy of Dorothy Must Die, which is a YA book that sounds like it belongs in the dystopian society genre but it's set in Oz.   I hope it's better than the Wicked series, I'll never get that time back.

[lexxy703]

I just read a book I got out of the free bin at the used bookstore.  Worst book ever.  It was called The End of the Pier or Edge of the Pier.  I hated the main woman character.  She was just not created well.  I liked the other characters but the book didn't flow well.  It was rolling right along & then the author must have reached the deadline because bam the final chapter rolled it all up & done.  Time I won't get back either.  I don't even think I'll return it to the free bin.  Save some other poor soul from picking it up.

[Deleted]

I've been known to throw a book in the garbage if that is where it belongs!

[Abby Normal]

Thanks to all for posting these.  I tend to just wander in the library to see what gets my attention that day.  But I do have a list of about 40 books I want to read and now you have made me add to that. 

[Abby Normal]

May 11, 2015 8:35:22 GMT -5 steph08 said:

Room: A Novel (stressed me out but was pretty good), 

Is that the one with the little boy named Jack?  If so, I can related to the stressing out. That was a very unsettling book. 

[Angel!]

Jun 5, 2015 13:12:06 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

  I hope it's better than the Wicked series, I'll never get that time back.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that didn't enjoy Wicked. I never even managed to finish the first one. It is really rare for a fiction book to not hold my attention even if I don't like it.  Wicked & 50 Shades are the only 2 books I can recall not being able to finish. I just cared so little I couldn't even force myself to continue reading them.