EPBOT Readers discussion

Happy check in everyone!

I'm on vacation in Chicago for the weekend, squeezing in a check in.

This week I read:

Phantom Pains for my book about a person with a disability. Second in the series, it's really good.

Dragonsinger just for fun

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher book I loved as a child. Even after I "grew out of it", and donated to my moms classroom, I'd sneak and read it any time I visited.

The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul for my used book. I scoured my bookshelves to find a used book i never read. All the used book shops easy to get to by me shut down, and I didn't know when I'd get up a far flung one. Library's sale selection was lame, so lucky I found something.

Currently reading : The Fate of the Tearling just because.

This puts me st 50/52. So close! I got one library book just today that'll cover my difficult subject prompt. The other might be a while, sigh. I like reading challenges but it'll be nice to finish up and go back to reading whatever I feel like.

How is everyone else doing?

Happy Vacationing, Sherri! Chicago's such a great city.

So, I always click on your links and check out what you're reading because I'm (a) always looking for more books to add to my list and (b) nosey, quite frankly! I was reading the description of The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul and thinking, "this looks right up my alley," and then noticed that it's by Douglas Adams, so yeah, I'd be interested in hearing what you think about it when you get back and if it's worth a read.

You are SO CLOSE! I'm just at 22/40 and the way things are going over the last month, I'm not sure I'm going to make it! Still, I should start getting more time in July and things will really open up in August, so hopefully I can make up some ground then.

I did finish a book last week, though! The Breadwinner as my book being made into a movie this year. It was a short read as it's basically a children's book. I'd say the audience is girls around the 10-14 range. As it turns out, it's actually the first in a trilogy, and while I was left wondering what will happen to the heroine, I'm not sure I'll bother reading the other two books. The story had potential and the characters were likable, and I understand that the author wanted to keep the plot simple and straightforward for a younger audience, but I felt she went a bit too far in this direction and didn't take the time to support why certain characters might act a certain way or really address continuity issues: events and actions just happened to drive the story forward without them really making logical sense. Still, I think the book covers important subject matter and perspectives and has the potential to prompt awareness of specific issues and empower young girls, much like I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban (and the author herself) has shed light on so many issues and fueled discussion, but The Breadwinner could do this with girls at an earlier age and for those who prefer stories to biography.

And, of course, I'm still working on Oryx and Crake. Sigh. Still enjoying it, and I finally brought it home as I don't get any reading done at lunch anymore. However I only get through 10-15 pages in bed at night before I fall asleep, so, yeah, it might take me a while...

What is everyone else reading? Don't be shy!

Stephanie,

Long dark tea time was the second Dirk Gently book. I didn't read the first, not sure if it helps. I liked it ok, but it wasn't my favorite. It jumped around a lot and got kind of confusing. But lots of people like Dirk Gently so it could just be me.

Hi! I've been away on vacation neither reading nor on the Internet. Your mention of Jeremy Thatcher reminded me that our all-time favorite road-trip audiobook author, when our kids were younger was Gary Paulsen. We loved Hatchet and pretty much every thing he wrote as an audiobook. They were so engaging for the adults as well as every child (whose ages spanned 6 years so they were in very different places) to listen to. Their topics were interesting to all. We'd often drive around extra so that we could finish them. A close second was Bruce Coville.

Susan, that's really cool! I don't do audio books much, but I can see how they'd help on a long car trip. Good you found ones for the whole family! I think I read Hatchet as a kid. For school maybe? I read Coville all the time though. Was one of my favorites!