Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776102 times)

Aberlaine · « **Reply #1400 on:** January 24, 2011, 05:18:53 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

FlaJean, did you read Three Cups of Tea? If so, how does Stones into Schools compare with it? I loved Three Cups of Tea and now have Stones into Schools on my ipod. I haven't started it yet.

Nancy

salan · « **Reply #1401 on:** January 24, 2011, 06:18:25 PM »

Steph, I understand. One chapter in the book literally gave me nightmares. I did finish Little Bee, but read it during the day. I wish we had chosen a book that was not so depressing for our Jan. book. After the "upbeat" of Christmas, it's sort of a bummer to read a depressing book. Now, my ftf reading group is reading Sarah's Key for Feb. It's a good book, but also depressing. Ah me....Even though it has been 2 1/2 yrs since my husband died; I still fight periodic spells of depression. I really don't need books that depress me. I am trying to off set these books with light upbeat feel good books. I just finished Swimming Lessons by Mary Alice Monroe. It takes place on the beach outside of Charleston and is about the nesting period of the sea turtles and the caring of those that are injured. I really enjoyed being taken back to the seaside and swimming with the turtles!
Sally

Judy Laird · « **Reply #1402 on:** January 24, 2011, 09:55:29 PM »

Salan I am so glad you enjoyed Mary Alice Monroe's book about the sea turtles.
Our book group went to The Isle of Palam's a few years ago and Mary Alice was our author. She is a wonderful person and a moving force trying to save the turtles in that area.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #1403 on:** January 24, 2011, 10:06:13 PM »

Wow would you believe the author's now are using YouTube to read an excerpt of their books and to give interviews - here is a nice interview with the author of Major Pettigrew - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBXWrGciEPM

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1404 on:** January 25, 2011, 03:39:44 AM »

I agree, I rarely read a depressing book - I admit I look for escapism in my reading, so I knew Little Bee would be hard work. I have never even read Black Beauty in case the horse died! Like many of us, I suppose, I am fine reading murder mysteries teeming with deaths because they don't seem real, it's just a puzzle with local colour, but other sorts of deaths and violence - no.

Having now read Little Bee twice, my immediate TBR pile consists of Major Pettigrew, Debbie Macomber, Jennifer Chiaverini, Celia Brayfield ("How to Write A Bestseller" - I live in hope) and "Brought to Book" by Ian Norrie - the latter I picked up at the library, it says it's "A Tale of Lust, Cunning and Deceit in the Book Trade" - the author ran a famous book shop in Hampstead (North London) for many years. I know nothing about him or the book but it looked quite interesting.

It's now only 25 days till we move out of our house - and only 32 days till my daughter's 16th birthday - so I am going to need to read "comfortable" books to get me through the next month or so. However, I am seriously counting my blessings, as husband has been told by doctor that the weird mole on his back is not melanoma (of course he,ever the optimist, never thought it was, whereas I was already there...) but a simple infection. Also, on my son's ski-ing trip two members of their party accidentally collided with one another last week, and one has been seriously injured and is still in hospital in Switzerland. We are all praying for the poor girl and her family, and I have to admit we are probably all also thinking, that could have been my child. Anyone who has any spare thoughts/prayers, please think/pray them for this girl - my son's very intermittent communication with us suggests that things are not looking good.

Thanks,

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #1405 on:** January 25, 2011, 06:29:15 AM »

What I eat shows pictures of the person and many times, another page with their family or what they do for a living.. Then a picture of one days worth of food with descriptions, etc. So neat.
I am deliberately not rushing through it, but doing a few pages each day. Sort of providing a treat of a different type.. Now if I could just cut out any treats that actually go in my mouth, I would be happy.

Babi · « **Reply #1406 on:** January 25, 2011, 09:15:56 AM »

ROSEMARY, it's always such a pity to see a young life endangered. One can't help but think how one would feel if it was 'my child'. I'm always willing to stop and pray for their recovery.

FlaJean · « **Reply #1407 on:** January 25, 2011, 11:47:24 AM »

Nancy, I enjoyed both books, but Three Cups of Tea most.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1408 on:** January 25, 2011, 01:00:54 PM »

I finished Touching Stars by Emilie Richards. This is the third book of hers that I've read and have liked each one. The other two were The Parting Glass and Prospect Street which i liked the best of the three. Her characters seem real with real lives and she writes a lot of their psychological thinking which also seems real and makes sense to me. Again, if any of you are quilters, or just like quilts, there is an underlying story abt quilts. The protagonist owns a B and B in Virginia and uses a variety of quilts w/ star patterns to decorate "The Daughter of the Stars" bed and breakfast. An interesting twist is that Gayle, the protagonist, can't make neat stitches to save her soul, but one of her teen-age sons can and adds quilting to his artistic resume and teaches his estranged father. There's also an archeologic story, but it's very superficial. It is 500+ pages so she has a lot of time to have the characters develop and work thru their issues........the summary of the story, as i mentioned in a previous post, is that Gayle's network reporter husband was captured in Afghanistan, escaped, but needed extensive
recuperation. Even tho Gayle and Eric have been divorced for 12 yrs, he asked if he could
come to the B and B for awhile. He hasn't been much of a father, so the 3 sons have
3different responses to his being there.

I see thar Richards is a quilter and has at least three non-fiction books on quilting.

A good read, imo..........jean

MaryPage · « **Reply #1409 on:** January 25, 2011, 01:20:58 PM »

Whereas I loved Stones Into Schools even more than Three Cups of Tea! We are each of us different from the others of us. Nice!

Steph · « **Reply #1410 on:** January 26, 2011, 06:16:26 AM »

I finished The Corner of Bitter and Sweet. What a lovely book. It has been my bed book for the past week and I did like it very much. Never really had thought of the strain between Japanese and Chinese.. I should have since my older sons best friend is Japanese American,, Hawaii for at least three generations, but I know that he speaks of different orientals a lot differently than we do.
I know from owning the book store that latins are quite harsh with one another.. and even worse about Indians ( not our Indians, theres)

roshanarose · « **Reply #1411 on:** January 26, 2011, 10:07:21 AM »

Rosemary Kaye - my thoughts are with you and the families of the injured young skiers. We can only hope that they have a speedy recovery.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1412 on:** January 26, 2011, 05:15:46 PM »

Thanks Babi and Roshanarose - I heard from Freddie tonight and he says Kirsty has slightly opened her eyes today, so that is progress of some sort. Her parents are out there and thinking of moving her back to a hospital in Scotland. We all really appreciate your thoughts.

Rosemary

ALF43 · « **Reply #1413 on:** January 26, 2011, 07:03:15 PM »

Oh Rosemary that is a parent's worst nightmare. That is the beauty of prayer- it is far reaching and no one should ever be short on their prayer list.

I just finished Laura Lippman's new novel I'd Know you Anywhere.
I have never read anything of hers and this novel was recommended. Why, I don't know. It was alright but shallow. I didn't care for it.

Steph · « **Reply #1414 on:** January 27, 2011, 06:20:24 AM »

L ippman is a yes and no sort of writer. Some of her stuff is really fun. MOstly her series on Tess.. But some of the stand alones are good and others not.. Harlen Coben is the same way..I love his series,but not many of his standalones.

serenesheila · « **Reply #1415 on:** January 27, 2011, 08:33:23 PM »

A few nights ago I watched Tavis Smiley interview Kim Edwards. She wrote "The Memory Keeper's Daughter". I read that book. Now, I am reading her second book: "The Lake of Dreams". I am really enjoying it. Do not want to put it down, so it is really holding my interest.

Sheila

Steph · « **Reply #1416 on:** January 28, 2011, 06:15:53 AM »

Reading My Sister, My Love.. One of those female writers with three names. Joyce Carol Oates.. She loves to take a current thing and change it into her version..This one is a alternate sort of story about the little girl who was murdered in her own home out in Colorado years ago. She was a beauty queen and the family was suspected..Interesting take on the story. She makes the brother the narrator.

Babi · « **Reply #1417 on:** January 28, 2011, 08:59:37 AM »

I sympathize with the family's desire to bring Kirsty home, ROSEMARY.
I do hope they will be advised by the doctors on that, tho'. With
serious injuries, moving a patient too soon can be very risky. Please
do keep us informed.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1418 on:** January 28, 2011, 12:57:55 PM »

Thanks Babi - I will certainly keep you informed, though unfortunately I haven't heard from my son since Wednesday - his internet access is limited out there. Our church here is being very supportive and there are a lot of people praying for Kirsty, and for the whole group. I know what you mean about moving people - I'm sure Kirsty's parents will take the doctors' advice, but I wondered if it was something to do with cost - they are all insured under a block policy, but maybe it has a limit? I don't know (I know I should, but all I checked was that they were insured).

I'll let you know when I have any further news, and again, thanks for the interest and support.

Rosemary

salan · « **Reply #1419 on:** January 28, 2011, 05:18:02 PM »

I finished Sarah's Key for my ftf reading group. It was a good book, but depressing. I also finished Little Bee--also depressing. Then I checked out and read Room--another depressing book! Help!! Someone please recommend something light, humorous and cosy. I am so ready for a pleasant read.
Sally

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #1420 on:** January 28, 2011, 09:54:44 PM »

I got a kick out of "I Still Dream About You: A Novel" by Fannie Flagg
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400065933/ref=oss_product

I just started tonight "Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter: A Novel" by Lisa Patton
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312658893/ref=oss_product

"The Olive Farm" by Carol Drinkwater was charming - sold out so you have to buy a used copy
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0752877623/ref=oss_product

of course crazy Agatha Raisin never disappoints
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312387008/ref=oss_product

And I found this author to be a lovely gentle look at life and growing things and the land and how it all relates to our life - just lovely - another sold out book that you have to order used.
"Four Seasons in Five Senses: Things Worth Savoring" by David Mas Masumoto
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393019608/ref=oss_product

I read Cee Cee Honeycutt but I was sorely disappointed - it was a Northerner's view of Savannah - somethings they got right but a whole lot they did not understand either the South or Savannah.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1421 on:** January 29, 2011, 02:46:08 AM »

Salan - one of my friends has been trying to get me to read Room, but I really cannot face it. Here are some of my "happy" books:

Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day - Winifred Watson (about a downtrodden governess who has a life-changing adventure)

The Fortnight in September - RC Sherriff (the story of a London family's annual holiday at the seaside - beautifully told)

The Bransoms - Angela Thirkell (life in a country village, pre-war - the Bransoms are the fairly affluent local family, there are lots of other characters, and it's all very amusing)

Miss Buncle's Book - DE Stevenson (cash-strapped spinster in small village decides to write a book, with unpredicted consequences)

The Wind In The Willows - Kenneth Grahame (one of my all time best escapes, I think this book has everything; it's funny, it's a bit scary, and most of all its descriptions are lyrical)

Summer's Lease - John Mortimer (typical London upper middle class family - present day this time - take a villa in Tuscany - very funny but also has a mystery plot. John Mortimer is great at keeping you turning the pages. He wrote (amongst 100s of other things) the Rumpole books (he also adapted Brideshead for TV).

The Treasure Seekers - EE Nesbit (one of my favourite children's books - children in 1930s London set out to try to make some money for their hard up father. Very funny and also a lovely depiction of life at that time.)

I Capture The Castle - Dodie Smith (I think I've mentioned this before. It's what seems to be called a "coming of age novel" - it's about Cassandra Mortmain and her family, who live in a semi-derelict castle, and the love affairs that she and her beautiful sister Rose have when two rich Americans appear on the scene.)

Harriet - Jilly Cooper (J Cooper's first novel in a string of books with girls' names as the titles. It's a simple tale of a girl who is betrayed in love, goes to work for a rich widower, falls in love with him, etc - but Cooper writes so well, and has the nuances of the upper classes down to such a tee (she is very posh herself but said to be extremely nice), that this book is way above most stuff of this kind. My daughter and I absolutely love it.)

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris - Paul Gallico (charwoman in 1950s London (yes that again!) dreams of going to Paris to buy herself a couture dress. How she manages it and what happens when she gets there is told in this beautifully written little book.)

I can guarantee that they are all (IMO) lovely reads and have happy endings - no violence. I realised as I listed them that many are set in the 1950s - I don't suppose life was really better then, but at least these writers don't seem quite so determined to make us miserable.

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #1422 on:** January 29, 2011, 06:12:21 AM »

I loved ,, "I Capture the Castle". So much fun and yes it is a coming of age book in some ways.
If you have not read them pick up one of the Stephanie Plum Books written by Janet Evanovich.. They are all numbered,, but any of them will make you laugh.. If you ever lived anywhere near North Jersey, you will also keep nodding your head, going..yeah,, yeah, I remember that.

Babi · « **Reply #1423 on:** January 29, 2011, 09:30:14 AM »

Thanks, Barb and Rosemary, for a lovely list of books! I need a couple
of light ones to balance my current 'heavy' reading.

pedln · « **Reply #1424 on:** January 29, 2011, 10:19:58 AM »

Sally, another to put you in a good mood -- Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett, a novella detailing the reading growth of the Queen. Then follow that up by watching the film The Queen.

Rosemary, I'm with you on The Room. I tried it for an afternoon, but it was too disturbing for me, and I didn't finish it.

joangrimes · « **Reply #1425 on:** January 29, 2011, 11:05:46 AM »

I loved "Mrs Harris goes to Paris"..

Also loved " An Uncommon Reader"

Joan Grimes

ALF43 · « **Reply #1426 on:** January 29, 2011, 11:20:41 AM »

I am now reading Language of Trees Sally. It is a delightful little book. As in life, there is sadness is our character's lifes but love prevails. the tress actually came alive for me reading this. They hold our roots, our memories and our thoughts. I love this story.

Thank you all for the offerings above. Some I have read, some I have heard about and there are others I have never read nor heard about. The Olive Farm by Drinkwater- now that sounds interesting Rosemary.
I recently read Major Pettigrew book now I can try a Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.
I echo your distaste for Room ladies. Most plots do not bother me but that is one nasty angle for a book.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1427 on:** January 29, 2011, 12:21:42 PM »

Pedln - I love The Uncommon Reader" - I'd forgotten about that. I think Alan Bennett is a genius. I sent this book to my mother, who doesn't often share my tastes, but she loved it too.

Andrea - Isn't it funny how such an unusual sounding name has cropped up three times (to my knowledge) in recent literature? (I suppose Miss Pettigrew is not exactly recent, but it was "rediscovered" quite recently by Persephone Books, and is now one of their most popular reprints). The third one I am thinking of is "Singing for Mrs Pettigrew" by Michael Morpurgo. He is a children's writer (a former "children's laureate") and has produced dozens of books - they are v popular with teachers but I have to say none of my children could stand them. "Singing For Miss Pettigrew" is, however, a sort of autobiography interspersed with short stories, and I really enjoyed it.

Joan - you are the only other person I have met who has read Mrs Harris! I have just picked up "Mrs Harris Goes to New York" in a charity shop - haven't read that one yet. Paul Gallico was a wonderful writer.

Rosemary

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #1428 on:** January 29, 2011, 12:55:46 PM »

Alf what are you up to in Language of Trees - what a poetic book - I would say lyrical that borders on myth - did you get to the part where he heals the wolf - and I love how he understands the meaning behind the fight in the bar - how people let off steam for various reasons and to be able to read those reasons to know how serious to take their actions - wow...so many good kind people in this story who are ready to take on others in need...

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #1429 on:** January 29, 2011, 01:18:10 PM »

rosemary I treated myself and ordered Miss Buncle's Book by DE Stevenson - sure hard to find and I did not want the large print hardback but I successfully found a used copy that is supposed to be in almost new condition for $18 something plus shipping - this book is available resale for as much as $118 - whew - the ink must have gold dust in it

it appears this book was first published between the wars so it must really have the flavor of the England [or does it take place in Scotland - forget which] so many of us like to think is the real England just like we like to think we are still small town America as in the 1950s.

There was a movie on the story line of Mrs. Pettigrew - she comes to the wrong house and is a plan girl who stays and becomes the private secretary for the woman who lives this glamorous life - I can see the girl but cannot remember who played the parts or the name of the movie and then I think fairly recently they actually made a movie using the title of the book and she is a governess that was fired that hooks up with an actress who lives a glamorous life - I did not see it but remember it advertised - and wasn't the Mrs. Harris story a TV special or maybe it was also a movie where she saved her money for years and buys this glamorous dress in Paris.

Interesting what we buy - was reading in something recently how we buy things not for their usefulness but we buy the lifestyle that we think is part of owning the 'thing' and that before WWII we look forward to purchasing to satisfy comfort - a chicken in every pot as Hoover said, a home that was adequate to make us feel safe and comfortable, enough food etc. etc. where as after WWII we purchased to satisfy a desire - interesting how reaching for desire made a huge impact on social change as folks desired equality and freedom and, and, and....

Gumtree · « **Reply #1430 on:** January 29, 2011, 02:27:46 PM »

Quote

Joan - you are the only other person I have met who has read Mrs Harris! I have just picked up "Mrs Harris Goes to New York" in a charity shop - haven't read that one yet. Paul Gallico was a wonderful writer.

Rosemary - well you just met another - me! I have several of Gallico's novels on my shelves - Snowgoose (of course!) Snowflake, A couple of the Mrs Harris ones, Love of Seven Dolls, Poseidon Adventure etc. He's probably an underrated writer and did himself a disservice by claiming that he wasn't at all 'literary' - he was probably right but critics take that sort of comment far too seriously. Certainly most of his work that I've read has a sentimentality about it but it also has an element of the tragic which is not always present alongside the sentimental. And at times his prose is simply lyrical.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1431 on:** January 29, 2011, 03:23:15 PM »

Gumtree - that is great, I'm always thrilled to find that someone likes the old books that I enjoy (so many people look at me as if I am mad and say "What?")

Barb - the film of Miss Pettigrew was not, IMO, very good - the book is much much better. Anna (my daughter) did, however, enjoy the film much more than I did. I hope you enjoy Miss Buncle - I'm sorry you had to pay so much for it because I would gladly have sent you my copy. I still see it occasionally in charity shops, etc here.

I think that many people now buy to satisfy a desire they do not understand, which is a desire to fill the vacuum in their lives - we are encouraged by advertising that gets cleverer every day to buy things to fill the void in our lives, and of course it is never filled, so we keep on buying. I think I must be stuck in a time warp (my family would be delighted to agree with that one) as I think I still buy for comfort - hence the acquisition of old novels and children's books. I also love "comfort food" - potatoes, chicken, stew, that kind of thing. I am just not interested in clothes shopping, having the smartest house, etc, although I do have places I would like to live - eg with a sea or lake view.

My neighbour and I were having a discussion about expensive underwear the other day - she said that if she has very beautiful underwear on it gives her confidence to deal with her job (incidentally, she is a consultant psychiatrist, not a stripper!!); this is not something that works for me, but my daughter said she agreed. Similarly, neighbour likes to have the best and most expensive boots to go dog walking, whereas I would think "they're only going to get messed up so I'll get basic ones from B & Q". Surprisingly, despite this, we are great friends!

R

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #1432 on:** January 29, 2011, 04:08:00 PM »

I think one of the Mrs. Harris movies was made for TV, and starred Angela Lansbury!

CallieOK · « **Reply #1433 on:** January 29, 2011, 04:35:18 PM »

I also enjoyed "Mrs Harris Goes To Paris" and think it's the one made for t v and starred Angela Lansbury.

I really liked "An Uncommon Reader" but had to do a wee bit of convincing myself that Queen Elizabeth II might really behave that way.

How about a sequel in which Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day when she might encounter Major Pettigrew's Last Stand?

O.K., Callie - go sit in the corner until you can behave!!

roshanarose · « **Reply #1434 on:** January 29, 2011, 10:33:35 PM »

Rosemary, Gum and others.

I, too, love Paul Gallico. My favourites are "Jennie", "Love, Let me not Hunger" and my absolute favourite "The Hand of Mary Constable" which I read as an impressionable young thing. I am right now going to check and see if he is available in ebook.

Another thing - I didn't know that Gallico wrote "The Poseidon Adventure". This book / then film is most likely the one that kep him afloat financially. No pun intended

HaHa - cute Callie!

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1435 on:** January 29, 2011, 11:09:44 PM »

Finished reading John Jakes' "The Bastard", a seond reading after about 25 yrs. Didn't remember a thing abt the story. It's a good historical novel. I'm going to continue thru the series. I've read some of the rest of the series, but i don't remember those either, altho i might when i begin to read them.

I tried to read Fannie Flag's Daisey Fay and the Miracle Man, but i'm on pg 40 and it hasn't grabbed me yet. It hasn't gotten a narrative going yet, just choppy pieces, like a diary. I also was looking for some light reading. I'll obviously have to go to your recommendations,

thanks for all those suggestions........jean

salan · « **Reply #1436 on:** January 30, 2011, 02:55:36 AM »

Thanks for all your suggestions. I have read most of what you recommended, Barb (we do like books with a southern theme, don't we?) I've also read and enjoyed most of Evanovich's books. I have put some of the others on my list. Our library doesn't have many of the older books, so I will look for used copies on Amazon. I did pick up Kate Morton's latest-The Distant Hours. I really enjoyed The Forgotten Garden (which was her second book) and am hoping this latest is as good.

Isn't it funny how our minds frequently seem to be on the same track? I watched the movie, I Capture the Castle a couple of days ago, and here it is mentioned twice in book form.

Off to read and hope it puts me back to sleep, again. It's been one of those up and down nights.
Sally

Steph · « **Reply #1437 on:** January 30, 2011, 06:43:06 AM »

Another Gallico fan.. At least I was. Have not read anything of his for years now. A light very funny read.. Donna Andrews writes a series on Meg,, who is a blacksmith with a lovely husband she acquires in the books and a really funny family..
Yes, i find that I have far too many tbr books, and keep buying more. I realized when Iwas reading our posts, that this is a comfort factor for me. with MDH dead, I use the books as armor against the lonliness. Ah well, better than alcohol..
I grew up in the 50's outside of a teeny little town of 500.. We had a bank, a tiny little grocery store with all sorts of local produce, hand cut meat and home made goodies..a little luncheonette and a railroad station where no train stopped.. I realized later that it was a wonderful way to live, but when I was in college, all I wanted was to get away.. Which I did. Now as a widow, I would love to go back to that time.. Not going to happen, but nice to think about.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1438 on:** January 30, 2011, 08:46:45 AM »

I loved everything D.E. Stevenson ever wrote! The D.E. stands for Dorothy Emily and her married name was Peploe. She was first cousin once removed to Robert Louis Stevenson and was Scottish. She wrote dozens and dozens of light romances; cozy cottage type. Very warm and very full of what it is to be a human being. If you want something warm and fuzzy, she's your girl!

ALF43 · « **Reply #1439 on:** January 30, 2011, 03:22:43 PM »

mabel- That John Jakes Series still remains my all time favorite series. I, too, reread the first 4 of them last year after a 25+ year span. My daughter has the entire collection.

Yes Barb, I did get to the part where he heals the wolf with his touch. I love all of the folklore, mystic and beliefs based on the Indians of this area. I love that the author used the analogy of the trees with mankind; the importance of roots, care, configuration and the memories that the trees and we hold. It's a wonderfully written story and I am a fan. I must check to see what else this guy has written. I have considered it for a "discussion" but I am only half way through it-- so, we'll see. Don't you think it would make a meaty discussion?

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776102 times)