Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 774741 times)

Steph · « **Reply #3160 on:** May 13, 2012, 06:15:05 AM »

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

Sort of weird. I was digging into my tbr pile yesterday and came up with the last book that Dick
Francis and his son cowrote.. To my amazement, it has a lot of sex in it.. Dick Francis always was so discrete and slid over sex.. so this must be his sons additions. I will probably not try anything that his son has written by himself.. This was sort of dropped in,, did not really affect the plot oth er than silliness. Darn.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3161 on:** May 13, 2012, 07:42:50 AM »

I bet the publishers told Francis junior to 'sex it up a bit'.

bellemere · « **Reply #3162 on:** May 13, 2012, 08:50:12 PM »

Wolf Hall is really long and yes it is historical fiction. The lead character did exist in hostory, a close associate of Hanry VIII, and a very clever power broker. It is full of wonderaful details, especially about the Boleyns, who have bee written to death, it seems. I ould not reccomend it to a book club that only meets once a mont, it is far too long. Also, without a rudimentary knowledge of English history a reader would get confused by all the titles and events.
the Cat's Table is written from the point of view of one of the young teenaged passengers traveling to England on the ocean liner, with digressions into the later life of Michael Ondaatje, that I suspect are autobiographical. I think readers who enjoy exotic settings and cultural differnces would lke it.
But Swamplandia is one of the books I am going to reccomend when my turn comes up. This youngwriter takes you on a wild adventure in the Florida Everglades; agein the protagonist is a child. It has southern Gothic air about it , dark humor, a family had an alligaror wtestling theme park .. They all wrestle al gaors, even the 13 year old heroine. Eccentric characters , implausible situations, but the little girl is a "True Grit" kinda gal.

Steph · « **Reply #3163 on:** May 14, 2012, 06:02:58 AM »

Hmm, I t hink that Swamplandia is somewhere in my tbr pile.. Must look and try to move it up..
Yesterday was a quiet day.. Both of my sons called and it was lovely to hear their voices.. As I grow older and am a widow, I realize that living very very close to children could be lovely.

Babi · « **Reply #3164 on:** May 14, 2012, 08:43:06 AM »

Yes, indeed, STEPH. My three were all here, and even though I was not at my best it was stilll
a pleasure to have them there, enjoying one another.
Thanks for describing "Swamplandia" for us, BELLE. I am now thinking I might enjoy that one.
I'll look for it and give it my 'scan' for first impression.

JoanK · « **Reply #3165 on:** May 14, 2012, 03:09:27 PM »

I love living close to my daughter and grandkids, and feeling that I'm part of their lives. Even if just sitting aside watching them.

roshanarose · « **Reply #3166 on:** May 14, 2012, 09:58:51 PM »

Better late than never. Thanks very much to all those who helped me understand the use of academic "letters" after people's names in the US. I just have to draw the conclusion that my ex FIL was a pompous academic snob, but I already knew that.

When my daughter got her PhD I called her my Doctor BabyGirl. Seemed apt. Have not said it since though. She doesn't feel comfortable about the doctor title either, although she worked bloody hard to get it. C'est La Vie.

I loved Rosemary's take on the Dr title her hubby has. Doctors on a plane.

MaryPage - I love the Countess.

JoanK - I have emailed Pat about my problems/inability to get involved with Antigone at the moment.

I haven't had any hot water for 5 days now and of course Brisbane is experiencing record low temperatures. Quotes on new hot water systems are outrageous, but one needs hot water, desperately!

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #3167 on:** May 15, 2012, 02:07:56 AM »

Oh Roshanarose, that is dreadful. We had a long power cut (days) in the winter and I was reduced to going to the swimming pool to use their hot showers. And boiling water on the stove - no fun. I hope you get it sorted soon. I dread our boiler giving up the ghost, they are sooooo expensive.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #3168 on:** May 15, 2012, 03:51:21 AM »

oh dear heating water is no fun - although, having a large pot of steam when it is cold does warm up the room especially with a stick of cinnamon floating and an apple that can be pulled out for lunch but to do laundry and not to be able to take a soaking bath or shower - that has got to be getting old.

Steph · « **Reply #3169 on:** May 15, 2012, 06:03:48 AM »

UNless I am ill, I use cold water for washing clothes and have for years. They get clean and I save on electric..When I am sick, I turn the hot water faucet back on and make sure it is very hot to get rid of germs, etc.

bellemere · « **Reply #3170 on:** May 15, 2012, 05:04:45 PM »

re academic titles
My granddaughter will start at University of Virginia next fall and I have been reading their site. Because Thomas Jefferson, their founder, never acquired a formal doctoral degree, all the professors are addressed as Mrl, Ms., or Mrs. to honor him.

MaryPage · « **Reply #3171 on:** May 15, 2012, 05:24:54 PM »

Your granddaughter must be the same age as my great granddaughter, the oldest of now 20 great grandchildren, my Emily. Emily graduates from High School in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday, May 20th. She has won 4 scholarships and a Pell Grant so far, and has chosen to attend the Kansas State University School of Architecture. I gave her a drafting table for a graduation gift. It is a 5-year program, and she will wind up with a masters and a certificate declaring her an architect.

Time goes by sooooooo fast! My youngest (of 13) granddaughter is now married with 3 daughters! All (the granddaughters) have finished school, though some still plan to go back for more degrees. Granddaughter Joanna graduates from Nursing School next weekend. She paid me a wonderful visit last Friday.

Being a Virginian, as far as I am concerned Virginia is THE University. Be sure to tell your granddaughter they have no campus. It is called The Lawn.

JoanK · « **Reply #3172 on:** May 15, 2012, 08:05:46 PM »

And it's a great place to visit.

Steph · « **Reply #3173 on:** May 16, 2012, 06:07:18 AM »

The most gorgeous university.. I love visiting that area. There is so much to see and do in Charlotteville.

pedln · « **Reply #3174 on:** May 16, 2012, 10:10:37 AM »

Those are interesting facts about the U of Va, bellemere and MaryPage -- the Lawn, Mr, etc.

I love Charlottesville and was a frequent visitor when my youngest daughter lived there. U VA is a beautiful campus. While living in C'ville my daughter went there for her Masters in Public Health. Now I get to visit her in New York City. Can't complain about that, but I do miss C'Ville.

My youngest DC area granddaughter graduates from high school this year also. All the public high schools in the area have their ceremonies in Constitution Hall. I don't know who their graduation speaker will be and I don't remember the speaker at her sister's graduation four years ago. But at her brother's graduation two years ago they were supposed to have Helen Thomas, but ended up with Bob Schieffer after the Thomas bruhaha. Lizzie is going to Vanderbilt, majoring in vocal performance. I wish her the best, but the arts world is a tough one out there.

bellemere · « **Reply #3175 on:** May 16, 2012, 08:41:58 PM »

With a couple of friends, I am planning a Road Scholar trip to Charlottesville in the fall. It is entitled Three Friends, anc includes the homes of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. Looking forward to seeing Charlottesville. I have heard so many people describe it as lovely and charming. My granddau ghter will be at the university and I beleive she will be delighted tosee us for about ten minutes.
Just finished Digging to China by Anne Tyler. Not that great, too much time spent describing food people were served and clothes they wore. Two American couples adopt little girls from Korea., and become friends. I think Anne Tyler has done better than this.
going to Cape Cod this weekend for nephew's wedding in the tiny chapel on falmouth Harbor, and reception at the Woods Hole Golf Club, the very club where I used to drop off his dad to caddy.time sure does fly! Ted is a computer science guy,, plans to back to school, probably M.I.T. for something called cybersecurity.

JoanK · « **Reply #3176 on:** May 16, 2012, 08:54:22 PM »

Bellemere: " I have heard so many people describe it as lovely and charming."

It is that! It's also like any college town when school is in session: a little hectic and full of young people.

Steph · « **Reply #3177 on:** May 17, 2012, 05:58:40 AM »

Bellemere, I have visited all three of the homes, along with a tavern that Patrick Henry owned.. Jeffersons home is glorious. What a brilliant mind.. I also loved The Hermitage in Nashville. Jackson adored his Rachel..Beautiful house, very livable..I love older homes . They have such character. Have visited a lot of big homes over the years.. Biltmore is by far the most liveable of all of the stately homes,, although Teddy Roosevelts" Sagamore Hill" is a wonderful house for children. He obviously never quite grew up in some charming ways.

Phyll · « **Reply #3178 on:** May 17, 2012, 08:49:38 AM »

Steph, I agree about Biltmore. I have visited it several times...never got tired of it or the beautiful "park" around it. I could always quite easily picture myself living there.

maryz · « **Reply #3179 on:** May 17, 2012, 09:41:37 AM »

For a real spectacle, you should go to the Biltmore when it's decorated for Christmas. You wouldn't think there were that many poinsettias in the world.

pedln · « **Reply #3180 on:** May 17, 2012, 10:51:17 AM »

Bellemere, the historic mall in C'ville is definitely worth a visit -- more to just slowly amble outdoors than to shop. It's been a few years, but last time I was there there were several book stores, including one called "Read it Again, Sam." For both new and used books.

The gardens at Monticello were lovely, and there were wonderful vegetable gardens, too. Huge. Someone told me that the people who worked there were beneficiaries of the produce. The first time I went there, about 10 years ago, we took a picnic lunch and sat at an old table in Jefferson's orchard. Lovely. I think they've become a little more strict now about picnicers. There's also a garden shop/nursery just outside the actual estate where one can buy native plants.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #3181 on:** May 17, 2012, 11:16:07 AM »

As I recall there is not much privacy to the bedrooms in the Biltmore - the paintings in the upstairs sitting room caught my attention. where as the exercise room in the basement was a hit with the boys and yep, we were there at Christmas - my two Grandsons brought me as their Christmas Gift and we had dinner - one of my daughter's friends in one of the chefs - Dining was all hurry and frankly disappointing table setting and service for the price. I was disappointed for the boys - it was their first time taking me someplace when Ty had his license.

I just looked at all those books and wondered where and if they were cataloged - thought it was a missed opportunity since the huge gift stores were selling replica's of bits and pieces from and about the house I thought an annual release of nicely bound copies of about 5 Titles from the library along with a guest Lit professor giving a lecture followed by a short month long online synopsis of both lecture and contents of the 5 chosen books. In that part of the country there are so many good universities to nab a Lit prof and there are many high quality bookbinding establishments.

Phyll · « **Reply #3182 on:** May 17, 2012, 04:17:59 PM »

Why don't you suggest that, Barbara? The Cecil family is always open to making more profit from Biltmore. They might decide to do that.

Sorry the dinner was a disappointment. Was that at the Inn? Back in the days, before the Inn was built, we used to eat in The Winery or the nice little restaurant in the Stables. It wasn't set up to be posh so we didn't expect that but the food was always very good. I remember a dessert---Death by Chocolate. Still dream about it. yum!

bellemere · « **Reply #3183 on:** May 17, 2012, 10:17:50 PM »

I love old house museums, too. I volunteer as a docent at Wistariiahurst, the family home of one of our valley's first industrialists who came from england at age eithtee and built a tremendous business on the banks of the Connecticut river, manufacturing silk. It is also the city's cultural center with concerts, lectures, art lessons, dances, lots of activities going on in the great Music Room. Wedding, too, although without a liuor license, only the ceremony.
I have also been to Emily dickinson's house in amherst, Herman Melville's in Pittsfield, mark Twian's in Hartford, louisa May Alcott's in Concord, along with Ralph Wald Emerson's and Nathaniel Hawthorne, Paul Rever's in the North End of boston and the Kenndy compound in Hyannisport (only seen from a boat, not open to tourists at this time)
Just beginning State of Wonder, by anne Patchett, my book club's selection for the month. I loved her other book, Bel Canto.

Steph · « **Reply #3184 on:** May 18, 2012, 06:02:15 AM »

I have never eaten at the Inn but love the stable and the open air patio. Lots of New England homes, I have visited most of them from my ten years in New England.. They are not particularly my cup of tea. I mostly felt sorry for the Alcott family.. But Hawthornes House of Seven Gables house is neat..
Went to New Port, but those houses are all pretense,, nothing that people would really want to live in.

retired · « **Reply #3185 on:** May 18, 2012, 02:52:31 PM »

Since this is a site for new Best Sellers I will add my comments.
An excellent new legal best seller is The Litigators .
I would not be surprised if this novel would be turned into a movie.
The author is a lawyer ( John Grisham ) .
Several of his novels have been made into movies.
He is a favorite author and an excellent story teller.
Each of his novels have been a page turner and hard not to
complete as quickly as possible.

Babi · « **Reply #3186 on:** May 18, 2012, 05:25:35 PM »

Nice to meet you, RETIRED. Is this your first visit here? I didn't know Grisham had a new book
out. He is good.

marjifay · « **Reply #3187 on:** May 18, 2012, 05:48:30 PM »

John Grisham's THE LITIGATORS was great! Loved the characters and the writing. A vast improvement over the previous couple of Grisham's books.

My favorite books so far this year:

GOD ON THE ROCKS by Jane Gardam.

SNOWDROPS by A. D. Miller

THE PLEASURE OF MY COMPANY by Steve Martin.

Marj

Steph · « **Reply #3188 on:** May 19, 2012, 06:13:41 AM »

Welcome retired.. This is actually for new and old books.. I am not a Grisham fan, but know there are a lot on here. I was rooting through my to be reads.. found The Time Travelers Wife from several years ago and am using that as my bed book. It is sort of episodic, so makes a good just before sleep sort of book.. Interesting.. Was it also a movie??

Babi · « **Reply #3189 on:** May 19, 2012, 09:30:19 AM »

I also very much enjoyed "The Pleasue of My Company", MARJ. I want to read the Grisham
and Gardam books, too, but my library doesn't have the Gardam book. I imagine they will
get the Grisham, once all the remodeling is done and they can start shelving books again.

salan · « **Reply #3190 on:** May 19, 2012, 09:35:47 AM »

Steph, Time Traveler's Wife was also a movie. I didn't care much for the book (although it was kinda interesting) or the movie. The book was a selection for my ftf reading group. About half the group liked it and the other half didn't.

I am currently reading the second book in Hunger Games (Catching Fire). I am about half way through and I am liking it as much as I did the first one. I have already put my name on the waiting list for the third. I am so glad that my daughter kept insisting that I read it.

Sally

JoanK · « **Reply #3191 on:** May 19, 2012, 03:10:21 PM »

Hi, RETIRED! I keep meaning to try Grisham. I love "Legal Beagle" detective stories.

Steph · « **Reply #3192 on:** May 20, 2012, 06:16:51 AM »

Time Travelers Wife is interesting in many ways., Very very disjointed, but that is the purpose. I think it is somewhat creepy that he keeps visiting his wife, when she is a small child.. But just finished last night on his memories of the car accident that killed his mother and he jumped time to be saved.. Odd for sure.

FlaJean · « **Reply #3193 on:** May 20, 2012, 11:46:23 AM »

I usually like a book much better than the movie. But The movies made of John Grisham's novels are better in my opinion. I thought the changes made in the screen version of The Firm made it more interesting by far.

maryz · « **Reply #3194 on:** May 20, 2012, 01:38:20 PM »

I think I've read most of Grisham's books and seen most of the movies - obviously I enjoy his story-telling. It does seem to me, though, that his books are almost reading like movie scripts. And, indeed, he may have a movie deal in place before a new book is written. At least I assume he knows that it's a possibility.

Steph · « **Reply #3195 on:** May 21, 2012, 05:59:11 AM »

I just think that Grisham is predictable.. plus his women are made of wood.. So I skip him, but my husband loved him..

MaryPage · « **Reply #3196 on:** May 26, 2012, 12:21:16 PM »

I've never liked him, either, Steph. Right now I am reading a Harlan Coben in paperback and a Georgette Heyer on my IPad.

bellemere · « **Reply #3197 on:** May 26, 2012, 08:45:52 PM »

I am midway through Stat of Wonder by Anne Patchett. A big thumbs up! Adventure story about a doctor working for a pharmaceutical company is sent to check the progress at their research station in the Amazon jungle, and find out what exactly happened to a colleague who died there. The descripttion of the jungle wildlife is so vivid, the plants and animals , snakes , lizards, and horrible insects. Excuse me, I think there is something crawling up the back of my neck.

Steph · « **Reply #3198 on:** May 27, 2012, 07:53:13 AM »

I love Ann Patchett.. Have put the book on my list.. I am trying to finish a Jodi Picoult..Sing me home.. Dragging in spots..She does that sometimes.

bellemere · « **Reply #3199 on:** May 27, 2012, 05:50:39 PM »

In June I have to make recommendations for our book club. We do not met again until Setember, so they said I could present two books for summer. We have been drifing into some really fluffy not so hot books, and I want to get back to better authors and even classica here are some ideas I am considering.
1. We have never read Anna Karenina. I can just hear the moans now. "Too long! Too hard."
Long yes, hard, no. Tolstoy may have been a genius, but he was a simple man and used simple language. The only hard part are the damn Russian nicknames, but you can figure those out. Anna Karenina is also Anna Ardadyevna because her father's first name was Arkady. and so forth. All the listmakers put it in the top ten and most put it at number 1. Worth spending the summer. Wonderful book.
2. A "twofer" The Paris Wife" paired with "the Sun Also rises: . The first is fiction about life i Paris, with the first of Ernest's four wives and the second is the novel he was struggling to write during those years. Could also add "AMoveable Feast", nonfiction account in his words fifty years later about those days in Paris.
3. Anoterh twofer: "in the Garden of Beasts" nonfiction about the experience of the American Ambassador to Berlin in the early 30's watching the rise of Hitler; and "lLittle Man, What Now?" a novel by Hans Fallada about a working class couple trying to stay out of the way as this madman takes over. It was written in Berlin in 1933 and got Hitler so mad he prevented its publication for years.
3. Another twofer: The Good Earth by Pearl
Buck; and Pearl Buck: A Life in China, non fiction biography.
4 Last: "the Power and the Glory by Graham Greene, a great great author of novels o consicience.
5. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote and the DVD of the movie "Capote" about how he wrote the book and his exploitation of the prisoners . He nver wrote another book, the experience shatterede him, and he descended into alcoholism.
Any comments?

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 774741 times)