Member: Rarcar1

Can I just say that your dog is so cute? What a doll!

posted by TrishNYC at 3:03 pm (EST) on Jul 17, 2008

Thanks for your message. I think we're supposed to be angry about what's happening to Jeannette in [The Glass Castle}, and I think she's angry about it now that she has grown up and gotten the perspective to realize exactly how awful all of those things were. I thought the writing was very compelling, and while I couldn't believe that so many horrible things happened to one person, I was driven to find out how it was going to end, since we already know from the beginning of the book that she somehow turns out OK and ends up living on Park Avenue. There has to be an interesting story there. Her parents frustrated and maddened me to no end, but I thought the story was fascinating and deserved to be told. Maybe you just need to give it a little more time...or maybe you won't like it...and either one would be OK.

posted by bnbooklady at 9:01 pm (EST) on Jul 13, 2008

Sorry sorry sorry!! I just noticed that you already responded to my questions. Good god...would it kill me to just scroll down? Disregard the end of my last comment.
I'll definitely let you know what I find in the way of a Marie Antionette biography. Thank you for the feedback on Abundance and for the "Civil War Kick" book suggestions. I do the same thing; get into a reading trend. Right now I'm in a "female protagonist" phase. I am currently reading "Good in Bed" by Jennifer Weiner, which is essentially chick lit (and area I tend to avoid), but the main character is very likeable so I'm finding the book to be an appropriate poolside read.
I just finished Thirteenth Tale, another book with a female protagonist. Although I didn't care for her character as much, I loved the story and thought the telling of it through the perspective of such a cold and complex woman added a lot to the book's overall intrigue.

posted by vhoeschler at 12:34 pm (EST) on Jul 8, 2008

Hello!
I have not read World Without End yet. I'm waiting for it to come out in paperback but I loved Pillars of the Earth so I'm sure I'll devour the sequel.
As regards to Bel Canto, it is one of two books in my reading life that I wasn't able to finish (White Teeth by Zadie Smith being the other). The story just dragged on and never once grabbed my attention. Also, the majority of the book takes place in a single setting which, strangely enough, I find somewhat "claustrophobic". One of the things I love about books is that they transport your mind all over the place. But when an entire story takes place in one room, it feels like literary prison!
I don't know. Bel Canto is one of my best friend's favorite books and I've heard other people rave about it but it just did not appeal to me. Although it explores the psyche of many different characters, the book was incredibly monotonous for me.

Did you see the comment I left on the 3rd? Any thoughts??

posted by vhoeschler at 9:24 am (EST) on Jul 8, 2008

Good Morning!
Although I am stuck at the office today, it's the day before a holiday so naturally I'm spending my time perusing LT. :)
Anyway, I was looking through your library and noticed you have "The Forgery of Venus" listed. Have you read it yet? What are your thoughts? I don't read a ton of crime/mystery books but have gotten into them a bit since subscribing to "Bookmarkers" (THE BEST MAGAZINE EVER...a must for any book lover). In the last issue of Bookmarkers, "The Forgery of Venus" was listed with great reviews but I always like to get a first hand opinion from a fellow reader.
I also noticed you have a book in your library about Marie Antoinette. Although I think the book you have is fiction, have you read any biographies about her that you could recommend? I love historical biographies and I've been on the look out for a good one about Marie Antoinette. I'm currently reading the biography of Catherine the Great ("Catherine the Great: Love, Sex, Power" by Virginia Rounding). It's AMAZING. Non-fiction books can be so dry sometimes but this one is absolutely addicting!!

posted by vhoeschler at 11:11 am (EST) on Jul 3, 2008

The move went well. Now is just the long process of unpacking. Unpacking is nicer thatn packing since I can do it as I have the time. Hopefully it won't take too long though as I just want to be settled. Living out of boxes and not knowing where anything is is not fun. *lol*

posted by Irisheyz77 at 4:16 pm (EST) on Jul 2, 2008

Wow, that was fast! I hope you like them as much as I did!

I've been keeping an eye on B&N to see if they're offering anymore First Look books, but I haven't seen anything yet. Have you been keeping up in the discussion at all for Songs for the Missing? I just got too overwhelmed right away again, and haven't participated at all this time. I don't know that I'll do another one even if they offer one up again.

Happy reading!!

David

posted by tapestry100 at 7:46 pm (EST) on Jun 30, 2008

thanks for adding me as well. and cute puppy! :) feel free to stop by my profile anytime if you read anything great!

posted by amanaceerdh at 8:39 am (EST) on Jun 30, 2008

Cheers! I look forward to the many literary exchanges.

posted by vhoeschler at 9:31 pm (EST) on Jun 27, 2008

Hi
I finished the CNN book regarding Hurricane Katrina and I'm reading 1 Dead in the Attic. It is very well written. What are/were your impressions of the book?

posted by Whisper1 at 8:49 am (EST) on Jun 20, 2008

Hi Erin

Thanks for your post. The book I'm reading is excellent. As you know, to read about the destruction and to actually see it are two totally different things. I note your photo of a dog on your profile page, so perhaps you, like me, were very saddened to learn not only of the people, but the poor pets that were lost.

I saw one house marked "One Pet Dead." Another that was marked 9/10...7 (meaning seven people found dead.)

The utter destruction and chaos must have felt like the end of the world to those left behind. The Cnn book excellently writes about the stories from day - day.
I'm not finished with the book as yet.

I'll be returning to New Orleans for a conference this time again next year. I'm going to ask my student editors to spend an extra day to help in some way.

Please tell me about the book you read. If you recommend this, I'll purchase a copy.

posted by Whisper1 at 9:35 pm (EST) on Jun 9, 2008

Erin,
You know...I honestly don't remember the reader's voice very well in "What the Dead Know". I do tend to remember reader's voices that I really like, so if that tells you anything...LOL! But! I did really enjoy the story -- it kept me guessing for quite a while. So stick with it, and let me know how you like it when you're done!
BTW, do you borrow or buy most of your audiobooks? Since we do share a lot of the same books, maybe we should trade some suggestions. I really do think the readers of the audiobooks makes a big difference re: the enjoyment factor. Let me know if you'd like to do that. There are a few books/readers that stick out in my mind that I've really enjoyed in the past few years.

posted by indygo88 at 8:26 am (EST) on May 29, 2008

Hi, Erin ~ I was back in March 2007. It sure has changed in the 30-some years since I left!

I am one of those die-hard Sox fans, but I don't have much choice. It's either White Sox or the L.A. Dodgers, and I just can't seem to get excited about the "Boys in Blue."

One of my happiest childhood memories was going with my mom and brother to Sox games every summer. We would take the bus over to Cominsky Park, watch the game from front row seats (my mom didn't scimp on that, though we might eat spaghetti 3 nights a week ~ lol), have hot dogs and peanuts and soda, then walk over to my maternal grandma's house (she lived on Union Ave. around 35th St., I think it was) for dinner. Then they'd send us all home in a taxi. Ah, them were the days! :)

Anyway, let's keep in touch and see how it goes with the May books.

Mary

posted by Storeetllr at 5:35 pm (EST) on May 25, 2008