Book Geeks and Bookniks discussion

What has your interest this week?

I finished Let Me In by John Ajvide Linqvist and it was very creepy. I loved it. From what I've read, the movie follows it pretty closely but leaves some out as is usually the case. I really want to see the movie to see the differences. Be warned, it's not for the feignt of heart. Pretty graphic with some disturbing scenes. Those Swedes know how to write some disturbing books. It must be all that winter darkness.

I am reading another memoir this week: What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love by Carole Radziwill. It is interesting so far, but is also depressing. I'm not even 100 pages in yet and Carole has faced a number of tragedies in her life.

I didn't post in last week's thread - I was in Orlando for the week (my parents have a time share) and doing the Disney/Universal thing. Had a great time and got to see the new Harry Potter attraction at Universal - too cool! But, extremely busy - because it's so new, it was wall-to-wall people and there were line ups like you wouldn't believe...even to get into the gift shops!

I didn't have much reading time last week so I'm still working on Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama. I was planning to read Bel Canto by Ann Patchett next, but my sister (who was in Orlando with me) took it back to California with her - I'll read it at Christmas when I go to visit her.

I have no idea what to read next. Guess I'll see what hits my fancy.

BTW, I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I while in Orlando and it was really good - can't wait for Part II!

I have to stop at the library on my way home. I'm fresh out of reading material!

I finished "My Name is Mary Sutter," which I liked a lot. I also read "The Serialist," and that pulled me in so fast I spent almost all day yesterday finishing it.

I'm currently reading "Acts of Violets" by Kate Collins, one in her Flower Shop Mysteries series. Next up will be either "I,Alex Cross" by James Patterson or "Crimes by Moonlight" - short stories edited by Charlaine Harris. Plus I need to feed my habit by visiting the library which was closed for several days. Gee it stresses me out when they do that!

I've just finished 'Engleby' by Sebastian Faulkes, which I really enjoyed.

I'm about to start 'Lacuna' by Barbara Kingsolver.

I was going to start 'Corrections' by J Franzen but it's due back at the library so will have to return it.

Sue

I'm reading the Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake. Not very far into it so I don't have an opinion about it yet.

edited for wrong word

Annika wrote: "What has your interest this week?"

Still reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest and The Mother Tongue: English and How It Got That Way. I'm supposed to have Mother Tongue finished by tomorrow at noon for book club, but I've only read about 60 pages. What are the chances?!

I'm reading The Boy who came back from Heaven.

I just finished A Gate at the Stairs. Not impressed. I thought the characters were flat and the plot never took off. Anyone else read it? Did I miss something?

Not sure what to pick up next. I'm thinking of giving in and buying Hornet's Nest.

I am reading the 5 quarters of an orange. I am having a hard time getting into it, but I am going to stick it out to see if it gets better! up next, the new Vince Flynn.

Saram,

I read Five Quarters of the Orange a long time ago and really liked it. It might not be "your book," but if you haven't read too much, I encourage you to keep going.

Laurel

Elise- Good to hear about Gate at the Stairs. I had a copy and gave it away when I moved. There was "something" about it that I thought I might not ever pick it up.

I'm reading Hot Fudge Sundae Blues by Bev Marshall. It's been on my shelf for about 5 years...it was time. It's one of those books you have to be in the 'right' mood for.

Elise wrote: "I just finished A Gate at the Stairs. Not impressed. I thought the characters were flat and the plot never took off. Anyone else read it? Did I miss something?

Not sure what to pick up next. ..."

Elise: I never finished Gate at the Stairs. A chapter of it appeared as a short story in The New Yorker, and I wasn't crazy about it. As a novel, I thought it fell flat.

Laurel wrote: "Saram,

I read Five Quarters of the Orange a long time ago and really liked it. It might not be "your book," but if you haven't read too much, I encourage you to keep going.

Laurel"

Good to know, this is on my TBR list too.

I started "Trespass" by Rose Tremain, and am not wild about it.

Melissa wrote: "I am reading another memoir this week: What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love by Carole Radziwill. It is interesting so far, but is also depressing. I'm..."

Really enjoyed What Remains and am now moving on to
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.

Memoirs of a Geisha, one of my all time favorites. I have to add that I read it....what?....20 year ago when it was first released. I wonder if I would still feel the same way if I read it for the first time today. Looking forward to your thoughts.

TK- I had to pass Trespass along before I finished. For some reason it didn't hold my attention.

Stacey wrote: "TK- I had to pass Trespass along before I finished. For some reason it didn't hold my attention."

I'm continuing to feel the same way, Stacey. The characters are not appealing.

Just finished Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison. Will be starting Water for Elephants as my new fiction book and Last Words of the Executed as my non-fiction.

Oh, Heather, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is a wonderful book! Hope you enjoy it as much as lots and lots of people in this group did!

I AM READING
A RELIABLE WIFE BY ROBERT GOOLRICK - IT STARTED OUT GREAT, BUT IT IS VERY SLOW NOW.

Heather wrote: "Just finished Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison. Will be starting Water for Elephants as my new fiction book and [book:Last Words of the Executed|8164..."

How was Orange is the new black?

Melissa wrote: "Heather wrote: "Just finished Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison. Will be starting Water for Elephants as my new fiction book and [book:Last Words of t..."

It was very interesting. The sociological observations on familial relationships and social hierarchy fascinated me.

Andrea wrote: "I AM READING
A RELIABLE WIFE BY ROBERT GOOLRICK - IT STARTED OUT GREAT, BUT IT IS VERY SLOW NOW."

I had the same reaction. It is an interesting set-up, but not a compelling enough follow through.

No more messing around....Fragile by Lisa Unger has my full attention.

I was also underwhelmed by The Reliable Wife. It seemed like it had such promise but then fell really flat for me.

i don't know why i am still reading it either. but, it is on the best seller list for paperbacks - who loves it?

I am really enjoying "The Swan Thieves".

I read "Water for Elephants"; didn't think I would like it because I don't care for the circus. I was pleasantly surprised. A great read!

Kate wrote: "I read "Water for Elephants"; didn't think I would like it because I don't care for the circus. I was pleasantly surprised. A great read!"

Me, too. I wasn't sure what to expect with "Water," and I ended up liking it. But I am not a fan of Elizabeth Kostova. I was very disappointed in "The Historian" and didn't finish "The Swan Thieves."

Annika wrote: "I finished Let Me In by John Ajvide Linqvist and it was very creepy. I loved it. From what I've read, the movie follows it pretty closely but leaves some out as is usually the case. I really wan..."

Creepy is right but so good!

I just started the book last night and ordered a copy of the Swedish version of the film.

A friend loaned me her copy of the Swedish version of the film & I just requested the book. Of course, with the library being closed from 2:00 today until Jan. 3rd, that will slow down my getting it. I'm 8th on the list anyway.

I'm reading Red by Erica Spindler and listening to Dark of the Moon by John Sandford