Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776115 times)

mabel1015j · « **Reply #480 on:** March 29, 2010, 12:53:07 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

At the library i look to see if the book i want is in paperback, they're easier for me to hold while lying in bed...............jean

mabel1015j · « **Reply #481 on:** March 29, 2010, 02:35:53 PM »

I FINALLY finished Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I think i am glad i struggled thru it. The last half of the book was much more interesting than the first half. I very much liked the characters, Follet is good at character development. I was frequently lost in the logistics of building the cathedral, but the sketches at the beginning of the chapters were helpful. I just couldn't picture some of what he was detailing.

In looking for reviews, i found on Goggle that there is a tv series coming in 2010 of the story................a cast of THOUSANDS, of course. ....lol....But Ian McShane and Donald Sutherland were the only 2 names i recognized. ................ i'll look forward to that, it should be much more interesting than the book............I'm sure the ambience of the 12th century and of cathedral building will be portrayed w/ accuracy. I like those historical tv series.................jean

maryz · « **Reply #482 on:** March 29, 2010, 06:17:15 PM »

Thanks for the heads-up about the TV show on Pillars of the Earth. That's one of our favorite books. Does it say what network?

joangrimes · « **Reply #483 on:** March 29, 2010, 06:21:35 PM »

Oh I loved Pillars of the Earth. I will look foward the TV production of it.

Aberlaine · « **Reply #484 on:** March 29, 2010, 06:30:13 PM »

I finished Pillars of the Earth last year and can't wait to see the TV series. You can learn all about it here: http://www.the-pillars-of-the-earth.tv/

Once I've seen the series I just may pick up the sequel, World Without End. ~~ Nancy

joangrimes · « **Reply #485 on:** March 30, 2010, 12:27:21 AM »

I loved the sequel, The World Without End also..Thanks Nancy for that link. I will be going there to see the progress on the production. That will bean exciting TV production.

Steph · « **Reply #486 on:** March 30, 2010, 06:14:30 AM »

I will keep an eye out for the Pillars tv show. I did love the book and have the sequel on my look for list.

maryz · « **Reply #487 on:** March 30, 2010, 08:44:18 AM »

I'd love to see the Pillars dramatized. It's going to be on Starz - one of the premium channels, though. We may have to wait for it to come out on DVD (and sign up for Netflix again

).

joangrimes · « **Reply #488 on:** March 30, 2010, 09:01:21 AM »

I will have to wait for the DVD. I do not have Starz

joangrimes · « **Reply #489 on:** March 30, 2010, 09:42:16 AM »

Steph, go to the Amazon site and look at what they are offering about the Kindle..They are letting people get one on trial..If you don't like it after using it for a specified time then you can return it..I saw it last night...

Phyll · « **Reply #490 on:** March 30, 2010, 11:24:47 AM »

I must admit that I attempted to read Pillars of the Earth and bogged down. I realize that was a violent period in world history but it seemed that Follett spent an unusual amount of time dwelling on the violence and it was taking far too long before he got to the building of the cathedral. I gave up reluctantly but I had the thought that I would try it again some time. I would love to see the movie but we don't have STARZ either so I'll have to wait for mainstream TV or Netflix to get it before I see it. But it is something to look forward to.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #491 on:** March 30, 2010, 12:47:34 PM »

Phyll - the second half of the book had more relationship-story and less violence. I enjoyed the last half much better than the first..........altho it's not devoid of violence and meaness either...............jean

Phyll · « **Reply #492 on:** March 30, 2010, 02:48:18 PM »

That's good to know, jean. I'm far more interested in relationships and the story than I am the constant telling and retelling of violent happenings. I may try again and just skip through to the last half.

joangrimes · « **Reply #493 on:** March 30, 2010, 03:08:30 PM »

I just skimmed the violent parts. I sometimes had to go back reread the parts that I had skimmed over. I loved the book.

winsummm · « **Reply #494 on:** March 30, 2010, 03:34:43 PM »

pillars of the earth that was the first of this authors books that I read long ago and the only one that I liked. It took her fifteen years to research and write. I do have STARZ so am looking forward to a film on it. It is so very complex and interesting as a book and so visual that it should work well as a film. So when will it happen. . . .holding my breath.

oops it was a long time ago. this is Ken Follett not the lady I thought. I followedthe link and read the synopsis whichis just like a long long long novel that I liked the first time through and cold probably kindle except that this time I'm finding it just too too chuch. the film will be more interesting but it looks like a series based on the book and it will be long long long also. good for discussion though.

claire

winsummm · « **Reply #495 on:** March 30, 2010, 03:50:19 PM »

the author I am thinking abut wrote a long complicated book set in British India. . . anyone?

winsummm · « **Reply #496 on:** March 30, 2010, 05:23:34 PM »

welll I just kindleized this book and found the preface by the author to be truely interesting in itself. This is the only SERIOUS work he ever attempted. His usual bread and butter output providing a comfortable income and a comforrtable style for him. No wonder I noticed the DIFFERENCE when reading his other oboks. and no wonder I found them disappointing. PILARS is a work of LOVE. it is over a thousand pages and very inexpensive on the kindle. . . another reason to get one for those of you wondering about it. the price keeps going down too 359 when my daughter bought mine and now a hundred dollars cheaper at 259. go for it.

claire

Steph · « **Reply #497 on:** March 31, 2010, 05:44:08 AM »

I loved Follett period.. His spy stories were a bit too violent, but I still like his writing and the plots were marvelous..He wrote a sequel to Pillars, but I have not read it.

Babi · « **Reply #498 on:** March 31, 2010, 09:46:36 AM »

I'm keeping condition in mind, STEPH. That's why I'm not considering any of the paperbacks currently on the shelves in the 'computer room'. That's where my daughter works...and smokes!

Apparently the "Pillars of the Earth" will complete filming this summer,
but I couldn't find any mention of which station will be showing it, or
when.

maryz · « **Reply #499 on:** March 31, 2010, 12:51:49 PM »

Babi, Pillars is going to be on STARZ (a premium channel, which we don't get), but I couldn't find a date, either - probably summer at the earliest.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #500 on:** March 31, 2010, 01:43:56 PM »

I picked up World W/out End, the sequel to Pillars, yesterday at the library. I also got Virgin EArth which is the sequel to Earthly Joys - YEEESS, i'm nuts! Two BIG books. I started Virgin Earth and it sounds pretty good, more of John Tradescant, the gardener's son. He's fleeing to the Va colony from the grieve of losing his wife to the plaque - in case you have forgotten. I think he's going to have to build a relationship w/ the native Americans to find out about the flora and fauna - the European immigrants are only growing tobacco. ............ jean

Steph · « **Reply #501 on:** April 01, 2010, 06:31:58 AM »

Finished the Witch Doctors Wife finally. I loved the descriptions of Africa and the animals, but the plot in the book was sooooo thin.. Still worth it for the every day life there in that period of time.

Babi · « **Reply #502 on:** April 01, 2010, 09:08:28 AM »

I don't take the premium channels, either, MARYZ. If it proves to be
popular, maybe one of the other channels will make it available, too.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #503 on:** April 01, 2010, 06:04:48 PM »

I've mentioned how fond I am of Ann Bridge's books. She was the wife of a British diplomat and knew well the world and the locales she described in her books. That she also knew people was beautifully demonstrated in The Ginger Griffon, a story about a young woman who loses her heart to a man who reveals that he is married. Stunned she goes to pend a year with her late father's brother in Peking. On her trip out she accompanies a British diplomat and his family. Her uncle's illness allows them to invite her to stay with them in the legation compound. This is a coming of age story with the spectacular Peking setting. The legation is tightly knit, and her sponsors open many doors for her as she rebuilds her shattered ego. My library has few Ann Bridge books and I have now read them all. Boo Hoo! http://orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=bridan

salan · « **Reply #504 on:** April 01, 2010, 06:48:24 PM »

Jackie-fiction or non-fiction?
Sally

mrssherlock · « **Reply #505 on:** April 01, 2010, 07:48:47 PM »

Sally: Fiction. Bridge wrote some thriller-type stories about a young woman named Julia whose cousin Colin is in the Secret Service. Julia manages to play key roles in the defense of the realm, out-thinking the pros. There are 6 books with Julia in them. Bridge write so vividly about each locatio9n I feel as if I could go there and find my way about. Portugal is one place that seems to have the charms of Provence and Tuscany before all the Americans moved in. This is not great literature but she writes engagingly without the excesses of sex and blood-and-gore we see so much of today but it is not like reading about the Victorian age either.

serenesheila · « **Reply #506 on:** April 02, 2010, 03:11:21 AM »

Jacqui, do you remember the first of Ann Bridge's books? You have sparked my interest, and I would like to begin at the first one. Thanks.

Sheila

serenesheila · « **Reply #507 on:** April 02, 2010, 03:13:33 AM »

Jackie, please forgive me for misspelling your name! My daughter's name is Jacquelyn, and she goes by Jacq. So, that way of spelling your name, is stuck in my memory bank.

Sheila

Steph · « **Reply #508 on:** April 02, 2010, 05:41:20 AM »

I remember reading the
Ann Bridge books so many years ago. But I loved them..Had a friend in the consulare service and she said the protocol was sooo strict that she thought the books were funny.. But I didnt care.

salan · « **Reply #509 on:** April 02, 2010, 06:32:39 AM »

Jackie-sounds good. I also would like to know the first in the series.
Sally

Babi · « **Reply #510 on:** April 02, 2010, 10:37:23 AM »

Would you classify Bridge's non-thriller books as romances, JACKIE?
I don't really care for romances unless they have other redeeming
features,..such as Charlotte Heyer's period romances. It's the colorful
historical background I most enjoy. The 'thrillers' sound good. I'll see
what my library has.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #511 on:** April 02, 2010, 11:56:08 AM »

Julia Probyn, girl spy, is first featured in The Lighthearted Quest. The first three Julia stories are available inJulia Involved. This is where I started reading Bridge. The Ginger Griffon is a romance but much deeper than those of Heyer, which I love. Amber, the girl in Griffon, is portrayed with great empathy as she struggles with developing her own personna, falling in love along the way with unfortunate results. While love is the dramatic hook that the tale hangs on, the real drama is her character development and I was very much caught up in that. Bridge has a knack for incorporating the unique flavor of her locales through glowing descriptions of countryside and, in Griffon, the Forbidden City; She deftly captures the quality of the indigenes, both their foibles and their strengths. Definitely a feel good experience.

serenesheila · « **Reply #512 on:** April 02, 2010, 07:10:11 PM »

You have sparked my interest in Ann Bridge. I tried to find one of her books, for my Kindle. However, they didn't have any listed. I am disappointed. But, I did order order "Pillars", and it's sequel. "Pillars" does sound familiar to me. I think I read it years ago. I also got bogged down in the begining part. But, I think it is worth a reread.

Sheila

Steph · « **Reply #513 on:** April 03, 2010, 06:15:45 AM »

Always startling what you can and cannot find in various places.. I think that a big used book store might have some Bridges..

Babi · « **Reply #514 on:** April 03, 2010, 09:57:58 AM »

I couldn't believe...there was not a single Ann Bridges book in my
library. Like STEPH says, it's surprising sometimes what you can or
can't find in a library. I suppose any library will be influenced by the
tastes and opinions of it's head librarian.

Steph · « **Reply #515 on:** April 04, 2010, 06:05:47 AM »

To some extent, smaller libraries are at the mercy of space.. They will deaccession books if they have not been taken out in a certain period of time. I have gotten some wonderful genealogy books in upstate New York that way. Also older fiction that I loved..

mrssherlock · « **Reply #516 on:** April 04, 2010, 01:27:11 PM »

While Salem is a small town of 150,000 it is the state capitol and there are several universities here so it seems to be well supplied with books I'm looking for. It is a member of approx 20 or so other local libraries which increases the potential pool of books. I well appreciate my good luck in this unexpected benefit of choosing Salem for my retirement home.

Steph · « **Reply #517 on:** April 05, 2010, 05:43:07 AM »

Library loan is a good good thing. But in Florida just now,, the strained budget is keeping libraries from not achieving the new books as quickly as they could be. Plus hours keep getting cut.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #518 on:** April 07, 2010, 04:27:29 PM »

Has anyone read Christopher Moore? He wrote, among others, a book called Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. He was interviewed today on NPR's Talk of the Nation. He says that he writes funny books, and the title above sounds funny to me. Some of his books are vampires, taking place in San Francisco. http://www.chrismoore.com/ I'm way behind in my recreational reading, our discussion of Troublesome Young Men is keeping me busy, but I'll make room for this author.

Aberlaine · « **Reply #519 on:** April 07, 2010, 06:22:08 PM »

I just found out that The Help is going to be made into a movie. I'm so glad. I think it would be easy to make since the story circles around the three main characters.

You can find out more about it here: http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/03/04/exclusive-dreamworks-acquires-the-help/

Nancy

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776115 times)