Recent books you've read

[Jacey1973]

Well now the summer holidays are here (for some), it is the traditional time of the year to read new books/novels etc...

What has everyone been reading recently? Any good books (fiction or other) you would recommend. [I'm currently reading "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (started it this morning when it was delivered! And nearly finished it's sooo good) anyway apart from HP...] I've recently read:


- "Girl with the Pearl Earring" - Tracy Chevalier

Really enjoyed this, haven't seen the film yet though. From what i heard about it (a historic fiction novel) it wasn't immediate appealing, but after a couple of chapters i found it really gripping. It's one of those stories where you have no idea what is going to happen, anything is possible. Chevalier describes each character intimately and her descriptions of Vermeer's paintings are so detailed. I loved the relationship between Vermeer and his maid Griet, here is a brief description of the book from Amazon:

"Girl with a Pearl Earring centers on Vermeer's prosperous Delft household during the 1660s. When Griet, the novel's quietly perceptive heroine, is hired as a servant, turmoil follows. First, the 16-year-old narrator becomes increasingly intimate with her master. Then Vermeer employs her as his assistant--and ultimately has Griet sit for him as a model. Chevalier vividly evokes the complex domestic tensions of the household, ruled over by the painter's jealous, eternally pregnant wife and his taciturn mother-in-law. At times the relationship between servant and master seems a little anachronistic. Still, Girl with a Pearl Earring does contain a final delicious twist."

[Jacey1973]

- "The Cement Garden" - Ian McEwan.

McEwan is one of my favourite authors. I think my favourite book by him is "Enduring Love" (recently made into a film which i haven't seen yet). I also recommend "The comfort of Strangers" an seemingly innocent tale when it starts out, but followed by really dark twists - and like so many of his novels concerned with the human state of mind (usually within relationships between characters - lovers, siblings, friends etc). I've re-read these books a few times and always discover new things in them.Anyone else read any other McEwan books? I would love to read some more by him.
   The Cement Garden is a really interesting book. Even though what happens eventually to the characters seems completely (morally) wrong you can't help feeling sympathy for them, it is almost a happy ending in the way the family are "reuntied" at the end. Really worth a read and only took me a few hours as it is quite a short book. (The following description of the book's plot is from the DVD off Amazon [didn't realise there was a film version of it!] but same applies to the book):

"A bizarre and compelling story of family secrets based on the novel by Ian McEwan (who also wrote the novel upon which The Comfort of Strangers is based), this British film tells the complex tale of four children who conspire to hide their dead mother's body to avoid being split apart and sent to an orphanage. Their deception works for a while, as they become a self-sufficient family unit. Soon, however, mistrust and a deeply antagonistic relationship between the older siblings rife with sexual overtones, as well as a snooping suitor with designs on the older sister, threaten to destroy their well-constructed facade."

[Jacey1973]

- Series of books by Louise Rennison - diaries of Georgia Nicholson:

1) "Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson" by Louise Rennison 
2) "It's OK, I'm Wearing Really Big Knickers!: Further Confessions of Georgia Nicolson" by Louise Rennison 
3) "Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas : Further, Further Confessions of Georgia Nicolson" (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson) by Louise Rennison
4) "Dancing in My Nuddy-Pants : Even Further Confessions of Georgia Nicolson" (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson) by Louise Rennison

Since these books there have been 2 (i think) further books of Georgia Nicolson's "confessions", but my sister only owns these 4.

Anyone read these? They are hilarious - like a more modern female version of Sue Townsend's "Adrien Mole" books. The good thing about them is that they are aimed at teenage girls (my mum originally bought them for my sister when she was about 13 i think, and i just read them one day cos i was bored), but adults can read them too.

I found i could really relate to Georgia's teenage "dilemmas" which is probably why i found them so funny. They are very light hearted/easy to read books, perhaps something for holiday not serious books by any means! But they all make me laugh out loud at least every 5 pages and i've read them all about 5 times and will probably read them again and again.

Here is a brief review from Amazon for the first book in the set ("Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson" by Louise Rennison):

"She has a precocious 3-year-old sister who tends to leave wet nappies at the foot of her bed, an insane cat who is prone to leg-shredding "Call of the Wild" episodes, and embarrassing parents who make her want to escape to Stonehenge and dance with the Druids. No wonder 14-year-old Georgia Nicolson laments, "Honestly, what is the point?"

A Bridget Jones for the younger set, Georgia records the momentous events of her life--and they are all momentous--in her diary, which serves as a truly hilarious account of what it means to be a modern girl on the cusp of womanhood. No matter that her particular story takes place in England, the account of her experiences rings true across the ocean (and besides, "Georgia's Glossary" swiftly eradicates any language barriers).

The author, Louise Rennison, is a British comedy writer and it shows. Whether Georgia is dealing with wearing a bra ("OK, it's a bit on the loose side and does ride up round my neck if I run for the bus"), pondering kissing and how to know which way to turn your head ("You don't want to be bobbing around like pigeons for hours"), or managing the results of an overzealous eyebrow-plucking episode ("Obviously, now I have to stay in forever"), she always cracks us up. Georgia struggles with the myriad issues facing teen girls--boys, of course being at the forefront--but she does it with such humor and honesty it almost seems like a good time. This refreshingly funny book is ripe for a sequel, which readers will await in droves."

[c18cont]

"The Runes of the Earth"...

from "The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant"..........The Author is...Stephen R. Donaldson

John

[pianonut]

that's great to enjoy so many books over the summer.  i am lucky to read a magazine.  do articles count?  i just read 'the french connection.'  am striving to mature into the concert artist image that i want.  seven points to the article. #1 buy as little as you can for much more than you can afford.  #2 the only way to appear fresh and exciting is to think deep thoughts (suppose a book every now and then would help) tinted moisturizer suppozedly helps the french  #3 innate style demands decades of practice  #4 all these rules emanate from one person - someone who's style you like - could be an older female relative  #5 know how to age ("french women never 'let themselves go.'") #6 in france you never have to go to the gym (? sounds good.  they walk a lot).  #7 in order to look truly beautiful, reveal nothing.  (hmm.  enigmatic.  they don't tell the person in the train the story of their lives in the first five minutes.)




 

[Skeptopotamus]

A whole bunch of nice stuff by Kierkegaard.  btw... did you guys know Sartre wrote some music?  I can't find it anywhere but I bet it's at least interesting ^^

[pianonut]

ok.   went to the bookstore tonight.  bought Music, Physician to Come.  some interesting things in the first chapter:

"as early as 1830 studies/experiments were done that proved definite physiological responses to music:

1. music influences the circulation of blood in humans and animals.
2. music causes blood pressure to rise and fall.  the oscillations of pressure depend chiefly on the influence of auditory stimulation on the medulla oblongata and its relation to the auditory nerve.
3. variations in circulation depend on pitch, intensity, and timbre of the sound.
4. the idiosyncracies of each individual are apparent in the variations of blood pressure. 

going back to book to read more.  it's actually a compilation of stuff different doctors and psychologists have put together.

[Floristan]

- "The Cement Garden" - Ian McEwan.

McEwan is one of my favourite authors.

Me, too!  My favorite is "Atonement."  I really liked "Enduring Love," too.  Can't imagine they'd make a decent movie of it, but who knows.

Shirley Hazzard is another current favorite.  Recently read "Transit of Venus."  Brilliant, I think.  She has such a distinct voice.  Beautiful prose.  She's Australian originally, lived in England for a while, now lives in New York.  "Transit of Venus" is about two Australian girls/women.  I highly recommend it and anything by this author.

I most recently read "Good Grief" by Lolly Winston.  It's a women's empowerment novel.  I'm not fond of this genre, but the book got decent review, so thought I'd give it a try.  I thought it was a stinker.

[greyrune]

I've only ever read the one Ian McEwan book, "Amsterdam" i loved it though, it's about a composer too, so it's got pianos in it, yay!  I meant to read another of his but my sister nicked it so i have to wait till she's done, i forget which one it is though, an old one i think.  At the moment though i'm reading "Number 9 Dream."  by David Mitchell.  It's booker shortlisted but i wasn't expecting much, turns out though it's really good.  It's a Japanese kid looking for his dad but it's not a soppy at all.  I just had an incedent with a bowling ball and a head which was rather disturbing.  On the same Japanese theme, i just read "Memoirs of a Geisha", I really recommend this.  It's about, surprisingly enough, a geisha, from pre to post WWII.  It's more of the soppy type of book but i loved it, definately reccommended.

[mikeyg]

I read the new harry potter last night.  I need to learn magic so I can kill some pregnant dogs.

[Alqua]

The most recent book I've read is Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. It was excellent, but extremely sad as my all-time favourite character died. 

[Kassaa]

The most recent book I've read is Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. It was excellent, but extremely sad as my all-time favourite character died.

I just finished it too.

It is really sad

Wondering what Harry is going to do in the next book, and if he will do it together with Ron and Hermione

[Jacey1973]

Me, too!  My favorite is "Atonement."  I really liked "Enduring Love," too.  Can't imagine they'd make a decent movie of it, but who knows.

What's "Atonement" about? Would love to read more by McEwan, i've heard of it but haven't bought it yet. I've picked up a few really cheap decent books (and CDs) in charity shops recently, also found some piano scores too.

I've only ever read the one Ian McEwan book, "Amsterdam" i loved it though, it's about a composer too, so it's got pianos in it, yay! 

I think i will be reading this next! As soon as i have money will be ordering off Amazon 

The most recent book I've read is Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. It was excellent, but extremely sad as my all-time favourite character died. 

Right! Me too! I'm going to start a post about it right now, i'm desperate to discuss it with someone but none of my family have read it yet, so i can't give anything away!

[mikeyg]

Just put everything in spoiler tags, or place a warning in the thread title.  I hate when people ruin thingd for other people.

[Skeptopotamus]

yeah dont you hate people who ruin threads mikeyg?  =P


btw... harry potter is for little kids ^^

[Kassaa]

btw... harry potter is for little kids ^^

BS

[shasta]

"The Runes of the Earth"...

from "The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant"..........The Author is...Stephen R. Donaldson

John

John, great books, aren't they?!  Read them several years ago.  I loved Bannor.

Next try Donaldson's Gap Series - - - starts with "The Real Story : The Gap into Conflict."  Shockingly violent space opera, but absolutely amazing.  Highly recommend them!

[c18cont]

Shasta,

Amen on The Gap....

I do believe this....Donaldson is at times a failure in some continuity...and he beats some things to death...others complain he seems to copy others, inc. the Ring series....

BUT!!! ...the few times he is writing as the genius I believe he is...a real intellect, (which is not all that rare, maybe...?)...he is as good as ANYONE ever has been, and far better than Tolk....It seems to come in sections...

For example in the new book..."Runes"...when they are past the waterfall and she is with Anele, and Stave and the others...and they are attacked by kresh and the outcome seems uncertain...Anele is talking through it about what he has seen again in earth-sense...oblivious of the danger, as is Lindsey at times....even as the dialogue continues, the description of the battle is intermixed, and it is very wonderful writing...the way the two interplay..and it SEEMS real and possible...!

I just worry that he..(or I...) will die before the Last Cron. are finished....

John

[Etude]

btw... harry potter is for little kids ^^

In one of my music theory lessons last year my teacher talked with me about how the style is changing as the series of books progresses, becoming more aimed at older readers by the fifth book than for children as it was at the start.

[vences5]

Yesterday I finished reading "Black Like Me". Excellent, excellent non-fiction.

Did any of you hear about the guy who killed himself when he heard a Harry Potter spoiler recently?

[c18cont]

I haven't...Can you tell?

John

[Etude]

I heard somewhere that someone killed themselves after reading a Harry Potter spoiler, but thats all I know.

[vences5]

https://yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_22620.shtml

[c18cont]

To Me,...Simply almost unbelievable....!

John

[Etude]

It's ridiculous that someone would kill themselves over a harry potter book.

[BoliverAllmon]

Fresh Faith by Jim Cymbala

[vences5]

https://www.putfile.com/media.php?n=FPS-doug

This makes me sad. (Warning: expletives)

[janice]

Fresh Faith by Jim Cymbala

Have you read "Fresh Wind Fresh Fire" (I think that's the name) by Jim Cymbala?  Awesome book!  I believe it was written before "Fresh Faith".

[BoliverAllmon]

Have you read "Fresh Wind Fresh Fire" (I think that's the name) by Jim Cymbala?  Awesome book!  I believe it was written before "Fresh Faith".

they are written before this one. I am told they are great books, but haven't had the pleasure of reading them. I have read his "a life God Blesses". That book is very good also.

I started reading his wife's book once while in Walgreens. It is how she had to stand firm in God's promises during her 25+ years as the Brooklyn Tabernacle Music Director. It is a real interesting book. She knows nothing about music. She just grew up in a musical family and learned what sounds good. All of the music the choir does is from memory. In fact, no sheet music exists. Mrs. Cymbala just gives out each part by rote. I wish I would have bought that book, but was broke at the time.

boliver

[Jacey1973]

btw... harry potter is for little kids ^^

i don't think so. It is as exciting as any adult book (hence its masses of adult fans including me). My dad who is 52 (he is a Professor) was as excited about reading it as me. When HP and Order of the Phoenix came out he went "food shopping" at 11.50pm - 10 minutes before the book was released...he never normally does his food shopping at that hour! Lol 

[BoliverAllmon]

I agree. Lots of adults find these books entertaining.

[llamaman]

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, I finished literally an hour ago.

A couple of Agatha Christie's, and an M. C. Beaton.

Fast Food Nation

And The Da Vinci Code (BEST BOOK EVER)

[Bouter Boogie]

Bernini Mystery I love it! I read it before I went to Rome, it's very very cool

[bernhard]

Klaus Eidam - "The true life of J. S. Bach" - An excellent biography of Bach with great emphais on what life was like in a Lutheran city in the 17th century. Highly recommended.

John Hemmings - "The search for Eldorado" Another wonderful book tracing the invasion and colonisation of the Americas by the Spaniards.

[da jake]

Nuremburg trials by Airey Neave (spelling?)

Great insight into teh scariest peeps ever to hold power.

[rob47]

'The Island of the Day Before" by Umberto Eco.


it is... very interesting, well written, and somewhat boring.

I'm about to start Michale ONdjajejajeajejaaj (forgot how to spell his name, he wrote The English Patient) "In The Skin of a Lion"

[jas]

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is my most recent. I won't give anything away, except to say that I'm traumatised by the shocker near the end. Loved it, though.
Also reading a biography of Da Vinci, which is very interesting so far.
And re-reading Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, which is a fantastic, very funny book.

Jas

[ajw400]

Searching for Everardo by Harbury <----- EXCELLENT BOOK!
The Moor's Last Sigh by Salman Rushdie  (I'm a huge Rushdie fan and this is my second time through this particular book, one of my fave's)
Lolita (only halfway through)
An American Family Galuccios (very poorly written but the content, the story, more than compensates)

[vences5]

Lolita, I heard that's a good book. Will be on the look out for it next time I go book shopping.

Oh, by the way this video is either really dumb or hilarious. Only for people who don't mind hearing spoilers on Harry Potter.

https://gprime.net/video.php/pottercrash

[ako]

In the Bedroom (a collection of seven short stories) by Andre Dubus.

[moose_opus_28]

Lolita is amazing and disturbing.  Great read.

I've recently read A Clockwork Orange and Honey for the Bears by Burgess.  Both great satires.  Honey for the Bears is hilarious too!

I'm reading The Rise of the Roman Empire by Polybius for school right now.