Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776144 times)

jane · « **Reply #1120 on:** October 25, 2010, 04:17:30 PM »

This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.

Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?

Discussion Leader: Judy Laird

Steph...we did an Elderhostel in Savannah...on Johnny Mercer, Garden of Good and Evil and it was great. We really enjoyed exploring the area and up to Beaufort on a "field trip," etc.

jane

pedln · « **Reply #1121 on:** October 25, 2010, 10:10:34 PM »

Steph, I've only been once to Savannah, but would go back in a heartnbeat. Maybe I will one day. Loved the on/off trolley, seeing everything and my favorite earrings are still the ones I got at the Savannah School of Design shop. It's a beautiful city. Next time I want to visit the cemetaries. And I understand that they have really made something of the waterfront, which had not been done when I was there. And then take a side trip to Beaufort.

Steph · « **Reply #1122 on:** October 26, 2010, 06:29:11 AM »

Will look in my catalogue..
My ftof book club.. is reading The Hornets Nest by Jimmy Carter. It is his one fiction and is history.. Mostly southern on the Revolutionery war.. A bit dry just now, since he tends to show you every fly and tree.. Hopefully will pick up the pace.. Large book.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1123 on:** October 26, 2010, 03:26:16 PM »

A friend suggested to me The Ladies of Covington" after I suggested to her the "Miss Julie" series. I started "ladies" last night. What a lovely story! I can identify with some aspect of each character. It's well written, moves along at a nice pace and I like the main characters. I think I had seen some of you mention it, but I hadn't gotten to it yet. I hope there are sequels.....Jean

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1124 on:** October 26, 2010, 03:31:57 PM »

I just checked and it looks like there are 8 or 10 more books about the Covington ladies and she has written other books.......thank goodness!.......ohhhhhhh more tbr's!!! That brings yeas and boos to my mind.....lol...jean

CallieOK · « **Reply #1125 on:** October 26, 2010, 06:24:21 PM »

Jean, Thank you for mentioning "The Ladies of Covington". Aren't they fun? You'll enjoy following their adventures.
I think I've read the entire series - but I need to check and see if another one has come out since the last one I read.

serenesheila · « **Reply #1126 on:** October 27, 2010, 03:30:36 AM »

I, too love the Covington series. It is great to find an author I enjoy, and find that she/he has written more than one, about the same characters. I finally tired after reading most of the series. My one objections to them was that each of the women ends up with a lover. I think that many of us who had husbands who died, have not had another Mr. Wonderful come into our life.

Sheila

salan · « **Reply #1127 on:** October 27, 2010, 06:08:50 AM »

I really enjoyed the Covington series. The first few books were the best. After that, much was repetition. However, I have read all of them and will probably read more if they are written. They are what I call Comfort Books. I enjoy reading about older women for a change!
Sally

Steph · « **Reply #1128 on:** October 27, 2010, 06:42:56 AM »

I had read a couple of the Covington books several years ago. I like the older woman theme.. Comforting. Am enjoying the Hornets Nest more as he moved to Georgia.. Still wonder if the trials in North Carolina were that accurate. I simply dont remember ever reading about executions during the run up to the war. Was Tryon really that awful??

CallieOK · « **Reply #1129 on:** October 27, 2010, 08:39:58 AM »

Sheila, I agree with you re: each of the Covington women ending up with A Man. However, it is "fiction"!

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #1130 on:** October 27, 2010, 01:19:08 PM »

Anyone here read Kaye Gibbons, "A Virtuous Woman"? Just finished it for my f2f book group. A very different book. A short read. Kind of a soliloquy in two voices!

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1131 on:** October 27, 2010, 04:27:16 PM »

Haven't read A Virtuous Woman yet, but thanks for the recommendation. My neighbour just returned my copy of The Towers of Trebizond, one of my favourite books (though not hers, she said you had to concentrate too much), and I just wondered if it had already been discussed here, or if anyone else has read it?

Rosemary

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #1132 on:** October 27, 2010, 04:33:44 PM »

Never heard of THe Towers...

Be advised that Virtuous Woman might be considered by some as "a downer". Not any moreso than a lot of today's fiction though.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1133 on:** October 27, 2010, 04:47:20 PM »

The Towers of Trebizond is a wonderful novel about the narrator, her aunt and a High Anglican priest (who rejoices in the name of Father Chantry Pigg) going on a journey to set up a mission in Turkey. It starts with the immortal lines:

""Take my camel dear" said Aunt Dot, as she climbed down from that animal on her return from High Mass"

I think that may make it sound self-consciously twee, but it isn't - it's fascinating, funny, and has serious undertones. The reader is fed little snippets of information as the expedition progresses, and the ending when it comes is incredibly poignant. It was written in 1956 and apparently hasn't been out of print since then.

Definitely one of my desert island books - up there with The Wind In The Willows, Excellent Women, and I Capture The Castle (though nothing like any of them).

Rosemary

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #1134 on:** October 27, 2010, 04:53:05 PM »

Is the author's name a secret? LOL or would you share that with me?

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1135 on:** October 27, 2010, 05:20:05 PM »

Sorry! It is Rose Macaulay.

Steph · « **Reply #1136 on:** October 28, 2010, 05:50:46 AM »

I Capture the Castle by Dody Smith. How I love that book. It is a reread for me every once in a while. Doesnt teach you anything and is not heavy.. but oh it is fun.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1137 on:** October 28, 2010, 07:03:44 AM »

Oh yes, Steph, it's wonderful isn't it? My copy says that it is a book handed down from mother to daughter - well, my mother failed there

- but my elder daughter has already read it and loved it. The film was also quite good.

I have read Dodie Smith's biography - I think it might have been by Valerie Groves. It was very interesting; I think she was a rather odd person, she had a horrible upbringing (I think I remember that anyway!) and had to make her own way in the world, so she was quite tough. In her later years she lived with her devoted husband and numerous Dalmatians, the inspiration of course for her most famous work.

Rosemary

Babi · « **Reply #1138 on:** October 28, 2010, 08:35:58 AM »

"Towers of Trebizond" sounds like a winner to me, ROSEMARY. I'm going to check and see if
my library has it.

ALF43 · « **Reply #1139 on:** October 28, 2010, 03:55:48 PM »

Has anyone read The Whistling Season? The author is Ivan Doig.
It's a wonderful story with great characters about a widow who accepts a position of "housekeeper" in an old Montana dilapitated farm house.
The home is inhabitated by a widower and his three young sons.
I loved this novel, filled with Latin, knowledge, with "quips" and cliches, surrounded by mesmerising prose. It is one of those books that one can find something on each page to think about.
"Even when it stands vacant the past is never empty."

"How could a woman so tiny linger in every pore of a house?"

"Rubbing his cheek as if consulting the wrinkles, Father weighed that argument."

This is my kind of book. The plot seems a bit lame to me but it is truly character driven. I loved it and it has been a while since I have found a good book.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1140 on:** October 28, 2010, 04:20:06 PM »

Oooh I like the sound of that - will look it up at the library, thanks for the recommendation.

Our library appears to have one Ladies of Covington book, so I am going to get that out tomorrow. My TBR pile needs adding to (not)

maryz · « **Reply #1141 on:** October 28, 2010, 04:43:43 PM »

Alf, any book by Ivan Doig is worth reading!

Steph · « **Reply #1142 on:** October 29, 2010, 06:07:05 AM »

I like character driven, although a plot is also helpful..Still struggling with the Jimmy Carter,, Hornets Nest.. Amazing,, I honestly believe if he had his way, we would still be a
British colony.. The slant from Georgia is not really fun.. But it is my face to face book club for November, so I am struggling along..

ALF43 · « **Reply #1143 on:** October 29, 2010, 10:13:04 AM »

maryz- This is the first time I have read anything by Doig, but I am now a believer and will probably consume everything I can find that he has written.

Steph- I don't blame you for "hanging in there." When it is a chosen book you almost feel obligated. I am interested in this autobio. about Mark Twain. Now that one interests me. I just may have to buy that one.

maryz · « **Reply #1144 on:** October 29, 2010, 11:43:31 AM »

Alf, they're very autobiographical (at least the early ones) about his growing up in western Montana just east of Glacier NP. Wonderful for the history of the area and the geography.

ALF43 · « **Reply #1145 on:** October 29, 2010, 03:30:26 PM »

Very interesting Maryz- hahah- I wonder if he, himself, has a mail order bride?

marjifay · « **Reply #1146 on:** October 29, 2010, 03:59:30 PM »

Steph said, "..Still struggling with the Jimmy Carter,, Hornets Nest.. Amazing,, I honestly believe if he had his way, we would still be a British colony.. "

I read The Hornet's Nest by Jimmy Carter several years ago and liked it. Altho' I remember thinking I'd almost wished he'd written it as a nonfiction book, as he's not the world's greatest novelist. But It did give me some insight into the Revolutionary War in the South. When Carter hinted at sex in the book, I remember being a little embarrassed -- I guess just because he was the President and was so religious and serious, it was difficult to think of him that way. Now if it had been Clinton, I'd have had no problem.

Marj

Steph · « **Reply #1147 on:** October 30, 2010, 06:21:40 AM »

I suspect that some of my discomfort is from being a quaker and not liking his general description of some of the quakers, but it is quite true.. He just does a terrible job of relationships.. The war part seems accurage, but I am not fond of books on any war to be honest.

pedln · « **Reply #1148 on:** October 30, 2010, 11:47:04 PM »

Quote

When Carter hinted at sex in the book, I remember being a little embarrassed -- I guess just because he was the President and was so religious and serious, it was difficult to think of him that way.

Marjifay, wasn't it Jimmy Carter who told Rolling Stone magazine he had "lust in his heart? I don't remember the details of why he said that.

Steph, I can appreciate your comment about "every tree and fly." I feel the same way about one I'm reading for my Nov. f2f group. Alan Bradley's Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. There are so many details I feel like I'm slogging my way through quicksand. And this is the FIRST of a series. I'm surprised there is anything left to tell.

Steph · « **Reply #1149 on:** October 31, 2010, 06:10:59 AM »

Some where in my out of control book stack is the Sweetness book.. Oh well.. I picked up the Cybil Shepherd autobiography at a book sale. So I am using that to flavor the Hornets Nest., but my word, the woman slept with anyone that walked by.. Whew.. no discrimination at all.

marjifay · « **Reply #1150 on:** October 31, 2010, 10:52:35 AM »

Pedln said "Marjifay, wasn't it Jimmy Carter who told Rolling Stone magazine he had "lust in his heart? I don't remember the details of why he said that."

I do remember that, but don't remember the details either. I looked it up, and the quote was "I've looked on many women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. God knows I will do this and forgives me."

Whew! At least he is honest. Actually, he is one of my favorite presidents. I especially admire him because of his post-presidential activities. I have his White House Diary on my TBR list.

Marj

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1151 on:** October 31, 2010, 11:31:46 AM »

We must remember that the Carters had 4 or 5 children!?! Jimmy can't be anti-sex. TIC........Jean

Steph · « **Reply #1152 on:** November 01, 2010, 06:08:46 AM »

I thought he was a terrible president , though I had voted for him. He dithered.. But post president he is far far the best.. He has made himself into a man considered to be fair and just.

ALF43 · « **Reply #1153 on:** November 01, 2010, 12:52:34 PM »

Mabel, I have found that most people like that are not anti sex, they are just ANTI talking about it. That is particularly true of southeners.

Steph · « **Reply #1154 on:** November 02, 2010, 06:10:38 AM »

In the Hornets Nest, he is sort of inbetween. One couple who die young are quite enthusiastic about each other and their intimate life, but his main couple do not seem to think it is quite the thing to do. I suspect however that the man is going to get himself in trouble at some point.

Aberlaine · « **Reply #1155 on:** November 02, 2010, 01:38:09 PM »

Hi ladies, I need your help. I'm to pick a book to read during this month for my f2f book group which is meeting Friday. I came across a book that sounded good, but never bookmarked it. I believe the story is about people (women?) caught in an elevator and taking turns talking about their future hopes, maybe. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

If I can't find it I'm going to choose the first book in the series Ladies of Covington. I've already read the first four in the series, but stopped for a while and need a refresher. Besides, the author has written a Christmas book (Christmas in Covington, I think) and I'd like to read that before Christmas.

I just finished listening to Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. I loved it and didn't want it to end. Except that at the end you find out what happens to the main characters. I'm on to Three Cups of Tea and think I will like that, too.

Nancy

Babi · « **Reply #1156 on:** November 02, 2010, 07:19:37 PM »

Can't help with your 'elevator stories' book, NANCY. But if you have to go with the "Ladies of
Covington", you group will probably love it. Only, they may have already read it.

marcie · « **Reply #1157 on:** November 03, 2010, 12:24:03 AM »

Aberlaine, I searched for some of the words you used to describe the book and came up with THE ELEVATOR. Is this the book you were thinking of? http://www.amazon.com/Elevator-Steeple-Hill-Womens-Fiction/dp/037378578X

Steph · « **Reply #1158 on:** November 03, 2010, 06:07:56 AM »

NO idea about the elevator book.. Is your ftof all older women.. The ladies of Covington appeal to a certain age group..

MaryPage · « **Reply #1159 on:** November 03, 2010, 01:26:29 PM »

I had no idea, no idea at all, that it is a Southern thing; yet I confess to being both a Southerner and to hate, hate, hating talk about or visual action concerning sex in books or on the screen.

Actually, I've always believed it to be a generational thing, but perhaps I am mistaken.

News:

Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776144 times)