Member: suetu

LOVED your review of Irving's latest novel: Last Night in Twisted River. I just finished the book...and like you I am a huge Irving fan and found this to be another of his great novels.

posted by writestuff at 11:23 am (EST) on Nov 4, 2009

I have to admit, I got to the end of the first section and am appreciating it much more, connecting with the characters and falling into the rhythm of the story. My previous three reads were young adult, which tend to make me less patient for longer novels. Thanks for the encouragement and happy reading. Can't wait to see your review,

Mel

posted by readaholic12 at 9:22 pm (EST) on Oct 22, 2009

Hi, thanks for stopping by - sorry about the illness, hope you're on the mend.
True confession - I cried actual tears of joy when I got the email about Irving's new book.
I'm currently stuck on page 78, ready to cry tears of boredom or frustration, as it's the most tedious thing I've ever read by him. I know I need to dig in and read, it has to get better, right? He writes in an oddly familiar voice filled with asides and boring details about the logging industry, and what I really need right now is a good story. I'm curious to hear what you think.

Thanks for the recommendations, and happy reading.

Take care,
Mel

posted by readaholic12 at 11:42 pm (EST) on Oct 17, 2009

Hello,

I just wanted to tell you that I loved The Hunger Games, inhaled it in a day and can't wait for the sequel!
Happy reading,
Mel

posted by readaholic12 at 11:16 am (EST) on Apr 30, 2009

Dear Susan,

Thank you for your lovely note as well, and thanks for the compliment. I am completely mental about my reviews, which are not yet craft, but more reflex and response to what I’ve read. I can get pretty caught up in what a book means to me, and I’m not sure I have the objectivity to review for others than myself, but I soldier on!

John Irving is my favorite too, just edging out Vonnegut. I read The World According to Garp when I was a teenager, and have never been the same. Owen Meany is the first character that I could not let go, and that book was the first one that I began to collect copies, just to give away, so I could talk to other people about it. I love John Irving, and am forever spoiled, expecting great characters and laughter and tears in all my books now. I did not know about the new book, and I’m curious to see where he takes us next. I’m only halfway through Until I Find You, which sits in a ridiculous pile of half read books, one of my little guilts.

I’ve already checked out your blog and enjoy it very much. I’m sure to be checking back in to see what you are reading next. Until then, happy reading,
Mel

posted by readaholic12 at 3:43 pm (EST) on Apr 17, 2009

Hello,
You are funny and you write great reviews, lovely to meet you here! I just bought the Hunger Games and can't wait to get to it. It's hard work deciding who to bump to the top of the pile next. I really love your reviews of the books we share, and envy your eloquence. I wondered if you've read 84 Charring Cross road yet - I think you'll love it as much as Geurnsey Literary...
I was curious about your Irving Books, as they are unrated. I have them all as well, always looking for others who love my favorite characters, Owen and Ruth. I also wanted to mention that Charles Baxter's First Light really got to me, and I thought it so much better than Feast of Love. Sorry to babble, hope you don't mind my clicking you into my interesting libraries to revisit. I'm trying to pare down my collection a wee bit and catch up on the monster tbr pile. Happy reading,
Mel Carroll

posted by readaholic12 at 10:54 am (EST) on Apr 14, 2009

It only took me a day and a half to finish The Hunger Games and like you I can't wait for the sequel. I checked amazon.com and its supposed to be released on September 1st of this year. I just may have to pre-order it.
-Bethany

posted by bethielouwho at 9:58 am (EST) on Feb 28, 2009

I just wanted to let you know that your review of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins has led me pick up the book and add it to my To Be Read list.

posted by bethielouwho at 11:47 am (EST) on Feb 26, 2009

I enjoyed your review of The Lost City of Z. It really was a good book, wasn't it. At first I wasn't quite sure where the author was going, but gradually it all pulled together into one heck of a read. And I do believe it would take wild horses to drag me into the Amazon basin.

posted by PamFamilyLibrary at 8:50 pm (EST) on Dec 23, 2008

Hi there! This is Rachel from Unbridled Books. I saw your post about not having yet received The Wonder Singer. Has it arrived yet? It was supposed to be mailed via Priority Mail just a few days after I received the list of winners, so I want to get to the bottom of this. Please send me a message or email me at rachel@unbridledbooks.com. Thanks!

posted by unbridledbooks at 1:13 pm (EST) on Oct 29, 2008

Thanks for the words. I was not fishing for a compliment, but I send kudos when they are due.

I have written books (non-fiction) made a couple of movies (business type) and have on the shelf a novel which I am still toying with after 20 years.

I got into this through a discovery of Library Thing. Getting a book or two was my goal. Now, I have a few columns which I send in weekly and am expanding into magazines. Getting paid for the reviews is a trick I would like to learn more about, I get paid for a few but trying to get more of them to pay is my goal.

The Yiddish thing is a hobby sort of; I speak it and can read a bit. I have some song books which are written in it and play the keyboard with songs that were done during the holocaust and somehow were saved.

I receive many books from a lot of publishers now (somewhere around 5 to 10 per week). My wife is now into doing reviews and we keep them under my byline so as not to confuse. It is a project that we both enjoy and keeps our minds active.
We live in a rural area on a mountain here outside of Kingman Arizona in a log home that we built 4 years ago. If you ever get into the neighborhood drop in and have a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

Regards,
Clark

posted by clarkisaacs at 10:57 am (EST) on Aug 27, 2008

Hi Susan:
Being new at this review thing, I found that I really enjoyed your review of Supreme Courtship. I wrote a review and then looked at the other reviews which were posted. I am getting better, I think, but not yet in your league!

At least I find that some folks like to read them and my list of papers and mags is growing so that I am getting in print. Whenever I find a reviewer who has done a better job on the same book, well, my hat is off to you.

Clark

posted by clarkisaacs at 3:35 pm (EST) on Aug 26, 2008

Susan,
Thanks for the friends request, I get so involved in reading/searching/discovering on Library Thing, I totally forgot you could have friends here. :-D.
Cathy

posted by B5dragon at 8:56 am (EST) on Mar 28, 2008

I'm jealous. I don't have Gentlemen of the Road yet, but I expect I'll have to break down and get it soon. :)

Have a safe trip.

posted by jennyo at 2:55 pm (EST) on Nov 6, 2007

Good review. I like Robinson's books but was afraid there wasn't enough back story in this one for new readers. Banks is a great character. I've only read two or three of the others, but would recommend Innocent Graves and Cold Is the Grave from the backlist.

Yes, everything's fine here. I even went to the Texas Book Festival this weekend. :)

Hope all is well on your end too.

Jenny

posted by jennyo at 8:27 pm (EST) on Nov 5, 2007

Oh yeah ... this is MUCH better than Shelfari

posted by coyotemusic at 3:45 pm (EST) on Apr 27, 2007

I am a friggen' addict.
Did you know that you can import your whole Bookcrossing bookshelf? It's very cool

posted by coyotemusic at 4:31 pm (EST) on Apr 26, 2007