Exceptional Books discussion

Hi Everyone, This folder is for new members who want to introduce themselves.

Note to authors: Please do not use this site as a forum to promote your own book. Please do not shelve your own books. However, you are most welcome to join our group and can put on the bookshelf other people's books you've read that you feel are exceptional.

Dory wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Dory wrote: "Hi, thanks for the invite!"

You're welcome Dory! Welcome to our group. When you have time please take a minute and add your exceptional books to our bookshelf. We'r..."

No worries Dory, even if others don't think they are exceptional, you're books won't be deleted. if a member feels strongly enough about "not liking" the book then he/she can mark it as "disputed" and then they will let us know why its disputed.

But I can tell you right now that I LOVE Remy Chandler! "Oh Remy, Remy....Wherefore art thou oh Remy?" LOL

A. wrote: "Hello everyone, my name is Aiman. The book i love the most is the fantasy adventure and supernatural. I especially love the fantasy and adventure in Tolkien's book. My favourite book is The Lord of..."

Welcome to the group Aiman. I would recommend reading Hounded by Kevin Hearne if you like fantasy/supernatural. By the third book, you'll see, it starts to get "Lord of the rings" like. You'll love the characters, its endlessly entertaining and very witty.

Hi my name is Debra and I am a new Author, my book first will be released sometime in November of this year. The title of om book is:
One Pair of Panties...A true story of Abuse, Survial and Victory..I look foward in posting it I know that you all will say thatit is a good read as well as a good page turner..Look forward in being in this group..Thanks

Author wrote: "Hi my name is Debra and I am a new Author, my book first will be released sometime in November of this year. The title of om book is:
One Pair of Panties...A true story of Abuse, Survial and Vict..."

Hi Deb, Welcome to our group. Please only shelves books other than your own that you have read and feel are exceptional.

Hi, I am just a reader but I am constantly on the search for an exceptional book. I read a lot of so so books but those that really stick in my mind for whatever reason (good or even bad) are like treasures. I think this group is a good way to get more of the best brought to my attention.

Welcome Kris!
If (and only if) you like mystery/suspanse novels, and if (and only if) you are not opposed to self-promotion,
please try Medusa: A Caitlin McHugh Mystery by Leigh MacCallum (oh, wait, that's me...)

Medusa: A Caitlin McHugh Mystery

Thanks,

Leigh

Greetings, all you exceptional-book-folks.
Been a reader since second grade. (that was a looooong time ago) Took what I thought was a speed-reading class once, in college. Turned out to be a remedial reading class. My goal was a thousand wpm, and I did achieve in the nine hundreds. lol. I'll give a book maybe 100 pages to catch my interest. Sometimes I'll speed-skim just to get thru a dragging book. As I've gotten older, I tend to be pickier what I read. Scanned thru the listed books. I've read some of em. Others, 'dear god, NO', was my first thought. oh well.

The first two I've added are 'Decider' by Dick Frances and 'The Deepest Water' by Kate Wilhelm. Wilhelm is an awesome author, imho, and of Frances, I can say that I've liked every book he's written between 1962 and 2000. Some I liked more than others, didn't dislike any. Don't care much for the books since 2000...the one's written with his son. He 'lost heart' after his wife died, and the son doesn't have that writing skill-edge of his dad. I still read any new books, but am usually disappointed. sigh.

KrisT wrote: "Hi, I am just a reader but I am constantly on the search for an exceptional book. I read a lot of so so books but those that really stick in my mind for whatever reason (good or even bad) are like ..."

Welcome to the group KrisT! When you get a chance, please add the books you have thought were exceptional to our bookshelf, we'd love to see them :)

Lou wrote: "Greetings, all you exceptional-book-folks.
Been a reader since second grade. (that was a looooong time ago) Took what I thought was a speed-reading class once, in college. Turned out to be a reme..."

Welcome to the group Lou! Please add your exceptional books to the bookshelf whe you get a chance.

Also, if you are so inclined check out our Disputed books section and list the books you think are not exceptional that you found on the bookshelf, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Don't worry, this is a friendly group, you can dispute without fear of retribution, lol.

Hello, my name is Ruth. I am an English Major with a concentration in Teaching. I am so excited to share my love of literature with children.

Sally wrote: "Hi, I'm Sally Pearce and I'm a voracious reader. Glad to join you!"

Hi Sally, welcome to the group!

Ruth wrote: "Hello, my name is Ruth. I am an English Major with a concentration in Teaching. I am so excited to share my love of literature with children."

HI Sally, Welcome to the group!

Hello everyone,

My name is Maggie and I am simply a bookworm for well written, in-depth and great story line books. Some of my favourites are:-

1. The heart is a lonely hunter, Carson McCullers
2. The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro
3. The elegance of the Hedgehog, Muriel Barbery
4. The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy
5. The Blind Assassin, Margaret Atwood
6. Cutting for Stone, Abraham Verghese
7. The Ahchemist, Paulo Coelho
8. The love of a good woman, Alice Munro
9. A flag for sunrise, Robert Stone
10. The Vagrants, Yiyun Li

Thanks. :-)

hi, i'm Elena. Like everyone around here, i love reading. if you happen to know some good books, that have some romance and supernatural involved, or just a book that left a good impression on you, please share. Thank you :D

Hi,

I am a book lover. Read a bit...and look at a lot more! Would love to join this group as I find it really interesting to see so many bibliophiles at one place discussing what they think is the best book.

Rajat

Colleen wrote: "Christina wrote: "Hi! My name is Christina. I pretty much read anything that comes across, but i am interested in knowing the criteria for an "exceptional" book!"

HI Christina, the criteria is tha..."

Hi Leigh....Razor's Edge is an all time favorite of mine...learnt so much from the book!

Hello there!
My name is Miro and I am an alcoholic! Just kidding! I like reading historical novels, fiction as well as non-fiction. I enjoy reading books about WWII. Most of all, books that I can learn something from. I am looking forward to finding some extraordinary reading in this group.
Cheers,
Miro

Hi , This is Praveen.
I read everything from non-fiction - fiction.
I am looking for some Exceptional Books recommendations...

Hi, fellow readers! I love reading and teaching literature and history. Your discussion group seems like a good way for me to find more great books to enjoy!

Rajat wrote: "Hi,

I am a book lover. Read a bit...and look at a lot more! Would love to join this group as I find it really interesting to see so many bibliophiles at one place discussing what they think is th..."

Welcome to our group Rajat, we're so glad you're here! When you get a chance, please add your exceptional books to our bookshelf so we can enjoy them as well :)

I'm Valerie,

I love exceptional books :). That's why I joined.

Here's a few of my exceptional choices:

#1~ A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith



#2~ Sense and Sensibility By Jane Austin

The way Jane Austin writes, touches my soul in ways that I never knew existed. Edith Wharton does that also. This book is well worth the read if you like reading about a time that is long past.

#3~ The Awakening By Kate Chopin

This book changed my life

More at another time. I've read so many books

Thanks for allowing me to join all of you

Miroslav wrote: "Hello there!
My name is Miro and I am an alcoholic! Just kidding! I like reading historical novels, fiction as well as non-fiction. I enjoy reading books about WWII. Most of all, books that I can ..."

Welcome Miro! I am sure we have some WWII buffs in the group but I happen to be married to one. So if there is a specific battle or topic you're interested in let me know and I'll ask my husband. He's read hundreds of books just on WWII.

I did ask him for an exceptional book and he told me "The forgotten Soldier" which I've added to the bookshelf already. So just let me know and I'll ask him.

Praveen wrote: "Hi , This is Praveen.
I read everything from non-fiction - fiction.
I am looking for some Exceptional Books recommendations..."

HI Praveen, welcome to our group! Please let us know what genre you would like to read within fiction and/or non fiction so our members can be more specific with their recommendation for you.

Mrs. C. wrote: "Hi, fellow readers! I love reading and teaching literature and history. Your discussion group seems like a good way for me to find more great books to enjoy!"

Welcome to our group Mrs. C, we're so glad you're here!
Do you prefer to read more serious works of literature as opposed to popular fiction or do you read both?

Maggie wrote: "Hello everyone,


HI Maggie, Welcome to our group! Of that list I read Paulo Coehlo's The Alchemist and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I'll check out the rest, thanks for the list!

Elena wrote: "hi, i'm Elena. Like everyone around here, i love reading. if you happen to know some good books, that have some romance and supernatural involved, or just a book that left a good impression on you,..."

HI Elana, welcome to our group! I'm not well versed in the genre of romance, so I will let another member of our group answer that question. I do, however, read supernatural novels. I would recommend:

"Hounded" by Kevin Hearne
"The Gargoyle" by Andrew Davidson
"The Talisman" by Stephen King
"First Grave on the Right" by Darynda Jones

They are all great novels!

Hi,

I am Angela and I love to read. I think this club is a very good idea. I look forward to getting ideas on different books to read. As far as exceptional books, one comes to mind is Memoirs of a Geisha. I have to think about the other.

I read both serious literature, mysteries, some thrillers, autobiographies, biographies, eyewitness accounts of historical events, historical fiction, and history. I love the feeling of being "lost in a book." I often tell my students, "My couch is my time machine."

Angela wrote: "Hi,

I am Angela and I love to read. I think this club is a very good idea. I look forward to getting ideas on different books to read. As far as exceptional books, one comes to mind is [book:Mem..."

Welcome to the group Angela! When you get a chance, please add your exceptional books to our bookshelf so we can all enjoy them. Thanks:)

Colleen wrote: "Miroslav wrote: "Hello there!
My name is Miro and I am an alcoholic! Just kidding! I like reading historical novels, fiction as well as non-fiction. I enjoy reading books about WWII. Most of all, ..."

Thank you for the warm welcoming, Colleen! I appreciate the book recommendation. I will definitely check it out. I have a few books on the list so far, but as soon as I go through them I will let you know.

Mrs. C. wrote: "I read both serious literature, mysteries, some thrillers, autobiographies, biographies, eyewitness accounts of historical events, historical fiction, and history. I love the feeling of being "los..."

David, one of the moderators is the expert in serious/classical literature. So he could probably help you best in that section. As for me, I tend to read more popular fiction. I've recommended some books to other members earlier in this post, if you want to check, but for you I would recommend the Remy Chandler series. The first book in the story is called, "A kiss before the Apocalypse" by Sniegoski its a pretty popular series. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Valerie wrote: "I'm Valerie,

I love exceptional books :). That's why I joined.

Here's a few of my exceptional choices:

#1~ A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Welcome to our group Valerie, we're so glad you joined!


#2~ Sense and Sensibility B..."

Miroslav wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Miroslav wrote: "Hello there!
My name is Miro and I am an alcoholic! Just kidding! I like reading historical novels, fiction as well as non-fiction. I enjoy reading books about WWI..."

Great! I'm looking forward to seeing them :)

Hi, thank you for the invite, I have added my books, not sure if you would all agree with my choices but there you are. I love good fiction and am also partial to the odd murder mystery as well.

Hello, I am Steph, a mere college graduate who loves a great book. One stands out to me; it is called "The Muse Asylum" by Dave Czucklewski (sp?)

Roma wrote: "Hi, thank you for the invite, I have added my books, not sure if you would all agree with my choices but there you are. I love good fiction and am also partial to the odd murder mystery as well."

Welcome to the Group Roma! Thanks for the book add's I'll check them out when I get a chance :)

Stephanie wrote: "Hello, I am Steph, a mere college graduate who loves a great book. One stands out to me; it is called "The Muse Asylum" by Dave Czucklewski (sp?)"

Welcome to the group Stephanie! When you get a chance, please add your exceptional books to the bookshelf. We're so happy you're here :)

Miroslav wrote: "Hello there!
My name is Miro and I am an alcoholic! Just kidding! I like reading historical novels, fiction as well as non-fiction. I enjoy reading books about WWII. Most of all, books that I can ..."

Miro - if you haven't read Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff you might give it a try. I found it fascinating. It's an account of enlisted men and women (originally 24 of them) who, in May 1945 fly "on a lark" from their base into the interior of Dutch New Guinea. The plane crashes leaving only 3 survivors.
- Bette

Maggie wrote: "Hello everyone,

My name is Maggie and I am simply a bookworm for well written, in-depth and great story line books. Some of my favourites are:-

1. The heart is a lonely hunter, Carson McCullers
2..."





Colleen wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Hello everyone,


HI Maggie, Welcome to our group! Of that list I read Paulo Coehlo's The Alchemist and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I'll check out the rest, thanks for the list!"

Colleen wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Hello everyone,


HI Maggie, Welcome to our group! Of that list I read Paulo Coehlo's The Alchemist and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I'll check out the rest, thanks for the list!"



Hi Colleen, I joined the group for the name 'EXCEPTIONAL Books'. I confess I set a very high expectation for the word exceptional.

Now we all know that everyone of us has different taste and standards. What I call 'Exceptional books' may be described 'boring, uninteresting' by someone else.

We also know that unless one has read plenty and great variety, he or she may begin to tell the difference - even this is questionable. It is based on taste, variety of reading experience, culture, appreciation for English literature, life experience etc. How then can one separates the wheat from the chaff?

Is there an agreed standard in place or we just like the name exceptional?

Sorry, I am new hence the question.

Hi, I'm an avid reader and thank God for this group! I have a few exceptional books that I have read and I'll add them to the list! =)


Sharon

Colleen wrote: "Elena wrote: "hi, i'm Elena. Like everyone around here, i love reading. if you happen to know some good books, that have some romance and supernatural involved, or just a book that left a good impr..."

Hello Colleen, thank you very much, you're wonderful :D

Hey all -- just found the group and am delighted to see it. So little time, so many good books! We all need help finding the ones we want to invest our time in, and I'm looking forward to getting some good thoughts here.

Tim

Maggie wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Hello everyone,

My name is Maggie and I am simply a bookworm for well written, in-depth and great story line books. Some of my favourites are:-

1. The heart is a lonely hunter, Car..."

Hi Maggie, welcome to the group. With this group we are endeavoring to distill the books into Exceptional books. One of the moderators, David, suggested that we start threads within the group on the 100 best of each genre and then the group members can vote on what the best are. We will be setting that up in the next couple days. For me an exceptional book is one that is well written with a great storyline. But, I've come to find that is not everyone's definition of an exceptional book. So here we are, all working through it together, and in the end, we will hopefully come up with some pretty decent lists.

Sharon wrote: "Hi, I'm an avid reader and thank God for this group! I have a few exceptional books that I have read and I'll add them to the list! =)

Welcome to the group Sharon! Thanks for adding your books :)

Tserzang wrote: "hi, I'm tserzang from Bhutan. i found out about this site when i was reading blurbs of books that i want to read. i hope i can get lots joining this group."

Hi Tserzang, welcome to our group!

Tim wrote: "Hey all -- just found the group and am delighted to see it. So little time, so many good books! We all need help finding the ones we want to invest our time in, and I'm looking forward to getting..."

Welcome Tim! We're so glad you found us!

Hi I am Amy O. I am an eclectic reader of fiction and non-fiction. Some of my favorite authors are William Trevor, Jane Gardam, John Banville. A couple of my favorite recent reads are The Sisters Brothers by Patrick Dewitt and Galore by Michael Crummey.

I am always looking for an exceptional read and look forward to this group, already have plucked a few titles from the shelves. Thanks!

Hi, I'm Rhonda. I'm new to this site and love to read exceptional books!