Most groups have a some sort of variation on this theme...and I thought it might be fitting here too. So which ARC...or other free book since not all that we get are official ARCs...are you reading now?

I just finished Living Dead Girl and will be moving on to Aberrations by Penelope Przekop today. I've heard a lot of good things about it so I'm excited.

I'm almost finished The Lace Reader. It's holding my interest, but I have to say it's a pretty average mystery. I'm a little disappointed because it sounded as if others really loved it.

JGoto: Just wait until you get to the end...I wasn't in love with the book until the last 100 pages. My review is in Readerville if you're interested.

I'm currently taking a break from ARCs to read some of my self-selected TBRs

>3 - Me too! I feel like all I have been reading lately is ARC's and review copies. So I'm trying to focus on reading a little more for myself.

That's where I'm at too. I have a great pile from the library that are going to be due soon and the holds list is sooooo long.So a bit of a break for me as well!

bnbooklady - well, I finished The Lace Reader & can't say I agree with you. It just didn't do much for me. I'll have to think about my review & try to write one tomorrow...

I'm not reading an ARC right now, but I'm reading In the Woods in prepraration of reading and reviewing The Likeness. I have quite a stack of ARCs to review, and quite a stack of books from the library. What a dilemma!

I just started Summer Blowout last night/this morning. It's kinda funny!

jenlaw-I'm curious to hear what you think of The Likeness. I really liked In the woods. There was an exerpt for The Likeness at the end of it & it looked good.

Hi, new to the group, although I recognize some names :)

Currently reading "Nation" by Terry Pratchett, and off-and-on "Simplexity" by Jeffrey Kluger.

I'm just over half through American Wife right now and it's kind of dragging a little. Hopefully it will pick up soon - next up will probably be The Heretic's Daughter.

The Richest Season Nice read, but uh, sort of easy to put down.

I'm working on The Power Makers. It's slow going so far. The technical detail in the first five chapters is overwhelming, and I was a chemical engineering major in college! If it's this difficult for me, I can only imagine what non-technical people must be going through.

I really liked American Wife when I first started it - I'm getting toward the end now, once I was halfway through, it started to drag, and last night I couldn't convince myself to pick it up, this disappoints me - I thought it showed great promise at the beginning.

I am reading In the Woods right now and it is really good...will keep you posted:)

Message edited by its author, Jul 18, 2008, 1:14pm.

I'm about to start The Watercooler Effect after taking a much needed break from ARCs. I'm hopeful about this one, since the subject matter seems right up my alley.

I'm waiting for about 3 ARCs, so I'm reading a library book from the TBR: Never let me go by Kazua Ishiguro.

I read The Watercooler Effect and found it interesting. I am reading FarWorld: Water Keep by J. Scott Savage.

18- The watercooler effect was really interesting. I wish there had been more expanded examples I feel like that would have helped me to retain the information better.

I finished Shining City by Seth Greenland and I am telling everyone I know to pre-order it. Hilarious.

Currently reading The Watercooler Effect. Ho-hum. There's almost nothing in this that a reasonably intelligent person couldn't have told you without years of research. But the topic is interesting and there are some good anecdotes.

20- LOL. Yeah I agree, I wasn't really shocked by anything. But at the same time I've never really thought about the subject much so it's kind of bring it all together in one place. I was hoping it would be more like Freakonomics, Blink, or the Tipping Point where it is sort of build around chapter long examples, it's more interesting that way.

Not an ARC, but I'm reading A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand.

I finished The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman recently. Right now I'm working on Bottomfeeders, which is fascinating but not a quick read.

I just finished Kaimira: The Sky Village which was loads of fun, and I'm about 2 chapters into Gilding Lily.

Currently reading One More Year and can't wait to be done with it. Thank God it's only 178 pages. It's alread mooched and is to go out in the mail on Wednesday.

Next up I'm reading Tan Lines, and I hope it's a lot better! At least the first sentence is great.

I'm reading The Demon from Dakar, The House on First Street and American Wife. Fun!

25- I haven't read One More Year and was looking forward to it. I want to know your thoughts on it...

t910: I'm finding the book to drag, is confusing at times, and I'm really not caring about the characters. The current story I'm reading, "Asal" is a bit better than the first two, so maybe it'l be better the rest of the book.

Donura1 loved it. I know the search engine is bringing daily visitors looking for it, so others must be looking forward to it, too.

Message edited by its author, Jul 19, 2008, 6:06pm.

Kool -I read Tan Lines and it is really good. In fact I am giving away a copy of a reader on my blog starting July 22 http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/

I'm reading Kaimira for Early Reviewers. Next up will be Stealing Athena.

Just finished The Lace Reader, which I loved, and have started The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher, which I'm finding a bit confusing. It's hard to keep all the characters straight, even with the list of characters at the beginning of the book.

I am in the middle of The Lace Reader and I am loving it. Hopes it continues. I have several on the TBR stack and I have a few reviews to get out. I am still building my blog. Will post with it is up and running.

Oh, I was very disappointed not to get a copy of The Lace Reader. I really want to read that one.

I finally got my copy of Happy Hour is for Amateurs from the Early Reviewer program, so that's been bumped to the top of the list.

It is interesting because I went into our library the other day and was able to check out The Lace Reader. I wonder if someone had gotten a copy in another country and then donated it to the library. It wasn't with the new books and was printed in 2007.

I think The Lace Reader was actually originally self published, and is now being released by a publishing house. I saw that on their website or in an email recently.

yep, The Lace Reader was originally self-published and is now being published by William Morrow in at least 17 countries. Amazing!

I'm currently reading an ARC of All We Ever Wanted Was Everything, which I before the book was released in May and just haven't gotten around to...so I suppose it's technically an ARC, but I won't have an advance review, as it's been out for a few months now. Seems OK so far.

This morning I started So Long At The Fair by Christina Schwarz and Tan Lines by JJ Salem. I'm only a few chapters into each but they aren't bad so far.

update: After reading the first two chapters of All We Ever Wanted Was Everything, I invoked the Nancy Pearl "Rule of 50" and decided to abandon it because I just couldn't get into it.

Now, what's next?

I just posted my review of One More Year by Sana Krasikov In the Shadow of Mt. TBR. I really didn't care for it. There were a couple stories that I really liked, but mostly it fell flat.

Next up, Tan Lines, which I'm sure will be better.

I just started 20 Fragments of A Ravenous Youth I really like it so far :)

I just started Glimmer Palace, which I have had forever and which is being released in 2 days (I thought I'd better get to it...). I have only read for about 5 minutes in my car outside work, so it is too early to tell about the story, but the writing doesn't seem to be half bad.

I've read about 2/3 of Stealing Athena by Karen Essex, which I am really enjoying. So much better than The Aviary Gate by Katie Hickman, although the concepts are the same - two time periods, the older one's story driving the newer one's actions.

I'm reading So Long at the Fair and am really enjoying it. The writing is great!

Finished Gilding Lily which was surprisingly good (my full review is on my blog). I've just started Aberrations, which I'm not sure about. I've been reading some good reviews about it, but the blurb just doesn't sound that great.

I read your review of Gilding Lily - that one looks really good.

I just finished Surviving Ben's Suicide and am currently reading Stealing Athena. I'm enjoying it so far.

I am reading The Map Thief which I think comes out next Tuesday. I just got it last night and am already almost half done. It is really good so far.

I've started Three Soldiers, a Penguin Classic. It's not something I would have requested (They "surprise" you and assign a random book.), but I'm going to try to get through it. The first couple of chapters aren't too bad, but haven't really excited me either.

>46,

I guess you will just have to 'soldier' through it!

(Sorry, I couldn't help myself, I just spent time with my father recently)

Finished Stealing Athena and really enjoyed it. I'll try to write the review in the next day or so.

I'm going to start One More Year by Sana Krasikov next.

Has anyone started So Long At the Fair? I'm finding it a little hard to follow, is anyone else? Maybe I'm not in the mood for it right now, might put it down and start another, pick it up again later.

I just started So Long at the Fair- like just today at lunchtime. It's a little hard to follow; it seems to be jumping around a lot. I've only read the first chapter though! :-)

I'm pretty well into it pg 91 - its good - but still jumping alot, think I just haven't gotten into the rhythm of it. Let me know what you think - take an extended lunch & read!

I just finished American Wife and I have to say that I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to. I'm still collecting my thoughts for my review. I need a break from literary fiction stuff so now I'm reading The Host by Stephanie Meyer but next up on my list is The Heretic's Daughter.

I should be finishing The Good Thief today. I'll probably read Say Goodbye next because I always feel more obligated to Early Reviewers than to anything else. I figure it would reflect badly on the whole LibraryThing community if I don't do those reviews as quickly as possible.

Say Goodbye is a quick read. I'm reading Delusion: The True Story of Victorian Superspy Henri Le Caron right now which is slow going but interesting.

I finished Tan Lines by J. J. Salem today... quite the sizzler, let me tell you! My review is In the Shadow of Mt. TBR.

Now I'm going to read The Richest Season because I need something sweet after those last two. I'm half-tempted to go for Three to Get Deadly, my next Plum book in the series.

Also, since we have that six week deadline on the Penguin books, I'm going to read Julius Caesar's Conquest of Gaul, with the hope of finishing it in the next month.

>57 Do you keep all of your ARC or are you willing to trade them. I would really like to read Tan Lines.

I started The No Complaining Rule yesterday :)

nsg0223: usually I just post them on BookMooch. Someone asked if I'd send them my copy of Tan Lines yesterday, otherwise I'd send it to you.

I don't usually do the ARC trading posts because I can't figure out who still has what, who wants what and that sort of thing.

I finished So Long at the Fair yesterday. I found it interesting, but sort of "meh" overall. I'll probably be posting a review sometime next week. My next ARC is supposed to be The Richest Season based on order of arrival, but I have a sneaking feeling that it's going to actually be The Gargoyle. Meanwhile, I'm still trying to get through The Power Makers. It's not bad, it's just a little over my head at times, and slow going because of that.

NSG - I am currently holding a contest on my blog http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/. I am giving away a copy of Tan Lines. Come check it out

I'm nearly 200 pages into the nearly 600 page The 19th Wife. It is interesting the way it is written - alternating between the story of Brigham Young's 19th wife (who left him and was very vocal in her criticism of plural marriage) and a present day murder mystery involving the 19th wife of a "Saint."

The No Complaining Rule was so quick I'm now onto Schooled!

I am reading Cruel Summer that I got from ER. I am not impressed thus far. Hopefully I can get into it enough to actually finish it.

I am looking forward to reading The Dracula Dossier: a Novel of Suspense that I won from ER this month. It looks interesting and I have really enjoyed James Reese's other novels.

Message edited by its author, Jul 25, 2008, 9:15pm.

#65--Maybe its more for the teen type reader. My daughter, who'll be a freshman in high school this fall, managed to snag a copy through ER, she really likes it. When I took a look at it, it didn't do anything for me though.

65,66- My sister snagged it too. I would like to read it. I'm not sure I would expect a ton from the plot but I'm very interested in the format. I heard it's all emails, letters, aim's, texts...what have you. I like that kind of thing, it's fun :)

I just finished So Long at the Fair. When I received it (through shelf awareness) there was no note - just a card that says, "with compliments of the publisher." I assume I should send my review somewhere, but don't know exactly where. Actually, I didn't realize that the book was chick lit (not a genre that I enjoy) when I requested it, so my review isn't great. Any suggestions on where (or if) I should send my review?

There is an email address in the very back of the book for Doubleday Marketing. You might inquire there.

I finished Happy Hour is for Amateurs last night - or at least as much of it as I am going to finish. My review is posted here and will go up on my blog later today. Utter crap. And it does not "pass the smell test," as a friend of mine would say.

I am feeling a bit guilty because I am reading these way out of order, but I think I'm going to get through One More Year this weekend - short stories always go quickly - then I'm backing up a bit to The Suspicions of Mr Whicher.

65-67 - I realized it was a young adult book when i requested it however, with the arrival of Stephanie Meyer and Libba Bray, as well as the Luxe and Gossip Girl Series', I guess I just expected it to be, well, more mature. I suppose that is my fault for assuming that. :) I won't be gushing over it in my review the way I did about The Sweet Far Thing but I am not going to slam it either, considering, at 33 yrs old, I am not exactly the market audience for a book of this type. I think my whole problem with it, is that even though the premise and format are interesting, the main character is whiny and unlikable. Anyway, I will post a link to my review when I finish it.

I'm working on Aberrations right now. So far it is pretty good, but I'm not loving it as much as everyone else has yet. I'm not that far into it yet, though, so I'm hoping it is coming.

I'm reading The Gargoyle now... actually I'm having a hard time stopping!

The first 50 pages or so were gruesome and I had a hard time believing it would get better - but I stuck with it, and I just know I'm going to want to cry at the end, I just have this feeling.

71: Aberrations started out pretty slowly for me as well. I was about halfway before I really started liking it.

I'm reading The Gargoyle and First Daughter right now. I'm giving away my copy of The Gargoyle on my blog -- I got about 70 pages in and knew I'd be buying the hardcover when it comes out tomorrow!

Just finished The kings of innocence by Michael Burns and am thinking either Tan Lines or the Gargoyle next.

The Killing Circle which is my ER book. I'm pretty into it.

I'm working on two at the moment, mainly because I had a near-bibliomergency this morning. I started Farworld just before bed last night, then started my July ER book Sweetsmoke at lunch. Both are very promising so far.

I just finished FrameShifting which is my June ER book and got my review up. I enjoyed it. I think however, you need to like that kind of book in the first place to enjoy it. (Lots of metaphysical stuff).

I am just starting So Long at the Fair and hope to blow through it pretty fast. Like everyone else I have lots to read right now and I want to get at least slightly caught up. I have lots of non-ARC's I want to read as well.

I'm reading my ARC of The Lace Reader and So Long at the Fair.

I'm reading months and seasons and should have it finished soon. It's short, but I haven't had a lot of reading time this week. Next up is Confessions of a Contractor - I'm bumping it up the list because the author is coming to my local bookstore for a signing the end of the month, and I'd like to read it before then.

Finishing up The Gargoyle but I'm enjoying it so much that I'm taking my time. Then I'm going to tackle Yellowknife or Lala Pipo.

I read basically all of Farworld yesterday, 403 of the 418 pages (the first 13 I read on Monday). I liked it a lot, and getting it done so soon made me feel a little better about all the books I have to read this month.

I'm still working on Sweetsmoke, but I've started One More Year as well and am really enjoying it so far. If this keeps up, choosing a favorite book in August is going to be difficult.

I finished Tan Lines around 3a.m. and started on First Daughter. Since it was so late, I only got about 25 pages into it, but I wanted to at least start another so I'd feel better about my mounting pile of ARCs.

I just started on One More Year and I'm about to start Note to Self as well. Both are short so I hope to get through them quickly!

Message edited by its author, Aug 6, 2008, 10:27am.

I finished The Heretic's Daughter (and Breaking Dawn!) My reviews are here and next up I think I'll be reading Creepers which looks like a cute day long read. :) I can't believe I'm actually getting through my massive ARC pile!!!

Message edited by its author, Aug 6, 2008, 10:48am.

Whew! I just finished reading and reviewing The Triumph of Deborah and am now working on The Gargoyle. That leaves me a mere 6 ARCs remaining tbr. Unless any of the scads that I requested actually show up. One publicist did contact re: some missing books, so they might still actually show up I guess.

Finished The Richest Season, my review is In the Shadow of Mt. TBR.

I picked up When We Were Romans and I'm not sure I like it. It's written in teenage-boy stream of conscious, with all the mispells and grammatical errors. I'm not fond of SoC point of view, so we'll see how this goes.

I am reading both The Heretic's Daughter and The Strand by J. B.B. Winner

86- I decided to request it for it's comparison to A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime so I'm crossing my fingers it's good!

mint910, Have you read Lottery? Some reviews compared it to Curious Incident (although I must say I didn't think it was nearly as good). It's written from the point of view of a border-line retarded young man. I did a direct request to the author & she had her publisher send me a copy. It's an upbeat book - there's a review on my page. (Sorry, I don't know how to link it here.)

89- No I haven't! I'll have to look into it, thanks!

I'm still working on The 19th Wife.

I feel like that sentence will sum up what I'm reading for the next twenty years at this point -- I've just learned to knit and it's eating up all my reading time! :P

Given enough time and practice, you might be able to develop the ability to read while knitting! It's tricky, but possible. I still prefer books on tape, but having the option is nice.

I enjoy reading while knitting, as long as it is an easy pattern without too much counting and switching colors.

okay DofB - I'm trying to picture how I would knit and hold/prop the book, turn the pages! I'm impressed!!

I just finished Revenant by Tristan Hughes that I got from MiniBookExpo. It was very lyrical but definately not an upbeat book. My review is up here at LT.

>94

I hate to admit it, but sometimes you have to break the spine. It isn't good to do this with a book that is too quick of a read, because you have to turn the pages too much. Basically I put the yarn on the ground, knit right over my lap, and put the book flat on a table with something holding down each side.

Devourer....if I could figure out a way to sew quilt blocks while reading, I'd be in hog heaven! (I tried audio books, it seems being Mom to my own 4 kids for a bazillion years and raising stampeding herd of kids in my day care center for 15 years, I don't seem to listen that well anymore......shocker......)

I'm reading City of Refuge and quite enjoying it. I'm also reading The Power Makers. It's really interesting, but it's really LONG - and just full of technical jargon. So, it's a little slow going but I WILL prevail!! LOL

Just finished Confessions of a Contractor and LOVED it. I'm not really *that* into home renovation or house flipping -- and I'm never one to read a novel that revolves around romance or sexual encounters. However, this book was just so well written.. it was poetic and witty and intelligent, yet it was just an easy read that made you think a little about how interesting life can be. I haven't quite completed my review of it yet, but for those of you letting it sit around in your TBR pile, I highly recommend you move it to the top. :)

i am about half way through The Gargoyle but put it aside for a bit to read White Nights, which is my ER book.

liking Gargoyle...not sure i'm liking it that much. wee bit gruesome, which is fine. and it is very well written. maybe just a bit longer than it had to be...

#100 caitemaire, I can see that point. But the length, I think, is justified when you consider the stories and the changes the man goes through within himself. If you are halfway, you've probably not gotten to all that yet. I do remember feeling it drag a bit in the middle, but it's worth it to hang on.

yes..i can see that might be true...but it better pick up soon...lol

seriously, i will finish it but i figures White Nights is a lighter read..just a murder or so...and then i will finish The Gargoyle. i appreciate the pep talk! :-)

I've been reading Resistance, which has been a slow start for me but is starting to pick up a little on page 60. However, I'm thinking of switching to When We were Romans, which just came today and had a release date of 7/22. There are lots of good quotes up on Amazon, but no reader reviews yet.

I am reading The Darker Side by Cody McFadyen. He is one of my favorite authors.

#99 I just finished Confessions of Contractor by Richard Murphy and i agree with you. I really felt like I was with this guy and what he was going though but on the other hand I have seen how contractors work while my sister was remodeling. Funny and witty and heartfelt. Great stuff!

#104
i must agree about Cody McFadyen...i loved his first two books and and anxiously awaiting The Darker Side.

I'm FINALLY starting Zoe's Tale, which I've had forever, to get it read before the release date.

I'm just getting to Tan Lines....

DoB: I've got Zoe's Tale on mine still, but I'm afraid to get anything off the bottom for fear of an ARC-alanche!

104 and 106--I'm reading The Face of Death right now and wish I had read the earlier book(s).

It's an engrossing read. I love crime fiction!

so jealous....{{off to read the cold request thread...}}

I'm reading The Heretic's Daughter and The Power Makers. I really am enjoying Power Makers but only picking it up rarely.

I am reading The Hunger Games. I'm not far into it, but I have a feeling I'm going to like it. It reminds me of Battle Royale.

I just finished When We Were Romans. It's like that dog -in-the-night book that I'm completely blanking on the proper name.

114- Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime? That's totally why I requested it so I'm glad to hear that!

Well, I'm glad I don't have that on my pile then - I hated Curious Incident. Read it for a book club and really didn't enjoy it. YMMV.

99 & 105 - That's great news because I'm starting that one tonight!

I'm almost halfway through When We Were Romans, and I'm finding it compelling. It says a lot for Kneale's writing talents to write in a 9-year-old's voice as he describes the world around him and Kneale never slips out of the child's mind.

What's got me hooked is the interim stories of the Scientists, Popes and Emperors. I'm trying to figure out how they relate to the story. I'm sure there not just thrown in there to make it a full book, they have to be part of it. I just don't know what yet.

Just started I, robot and I'm finding it a bit hard going.

I'm about halfway through The Heretic's Daughter. Really great read. I'm also a couple chapters into Stealing Athena, haven't really formed an overall opinion yet.

Hey MidnightRain - we're read in opposite order. I finished Stealing Athena a while ago and loved it. I'm close to being done with The Heretic's Daughter which is turning out to be a better read than I thought it would be when I was halfway through.

I finished When We Were Romans yesterday, and couldn't decide between Zoe's Tale... DoB's glowing about it and she was right about Gargoyle... or Confessions of a Contractor.

Well, sex and fun won out. I started Contractor last night. :-D

Just starting First Daughter, finished the YA book Creepers last night, it was pretty good as teen type books go, I don't read much YA so I've got to give some thought to my review before I write it. Also dabbling in None of the Above by Joseph Farah that I got from the publisher for review. It should be a short read, but I only pick it up for a little while every day. I guess I have to take my political ire in small amounts! I'm doing okay on keeping up with the books that are about to be published or just published, its the ones that were already published when I get an ARC that I'm having trouble getting around to. I have four in my TBR that come out on Sept. 2, oy......I'd best get crackin'.....

I'm reading Feather Man. Not sure I really like it, but I'm only about 1/3 of the way through.

#121 koolaidmom - I read your post as "sex and fun won out. I started on the contractor" last night ... and just about fell out of my chair laughing! I'm still laughing ....

Just finished Feather Man. The second half of the book was better than the first, but what an eerie ending!

I'm about to start When We Were Romans.

I finished Creepers yesterday and started on Matrimony. I think that Matrimony is actually going to be the kind of book I'm not actually crazy about, but well enough done so that I'll enjoy it.

I'm reading Aberrations. I like it, I have no idea where it's going and that's great! It's a really original voice.

I just finished City of Refuge. I loved it, but need to let it sit for a day or two before I write the review. Next up is Stealing Athena - but I'll probably read something not "required" first.

I'm reading The Gargoyle. It came the day before it was released. So far, I'm loving it.

Ugh, I'm finally reading a challenge book, but I'm so behind that I'm trying to read a book a day this week. How did this happen? I'm reading with the Olympics on in the background at night!

I just finished Matrimony by Joshua Henkin...it's been out in hardback for a while but is really building steam now that the paperback release is a few weeks away. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and my review is in Readerville.

TooFondofBooks: Whe I first requested Contractor I was worried it'd be like Tan Lines, rough, depressing and overdosing on the sex, but I'm on the third chapter of it, and it is an absolute hoot! The writing's a bit like Evanovich, light and humorous while not gratifying wickedness, and it doesn't require the reader to be a contractor or interior decorator to appreciate the story.

I hope it's just as good throughout. :-)

I'm reading Tan Lines. It's a fast read, but not really my style. (I knew there'd be name-dropping but I didn't think it would be this bad.

I just finished The Gargoyle, which I thought was great, and started, way late in the game, The Aviary Gate. Not bad so far. I almost picked a non-ARC but then I remembered- I only have one more week as a free-range reader, so I should probably work on fulfilling commitments first. Sigh. And the school assignments are already coming in; all I can say is yikes. Goodbye, ARCs . . . probably.

I just finished The Richest Season and have started Confessions of a Contractor.

Recently finished helping me helping myself by Beth Lisick, which I liked. My problem with ARC's would be that they seem to be heavily skewed towards fiction.

I've finished Confessions of a Contractor and I'm about to start either Schooled or Sweetheart

137- Schooled! Schooled! Schooled!

I'm reading My Husband's Sweethearts and LOVING it!! I'm halfway through it and have already cried.

138-
I'm leaning toward that one :)

140- Yay! It was so fun to read!

Just finished Schooled and I loved it! Very quick read - maybe because I couldn't put it down.

Back to Resistance .... It's not a bad book, and I've read and enjoyed many a memoir from WW2, but this one's just not grabbing me.

Just finished kaimira: The Sky Village and am preparing to review it, and started The Red Necklace

I have just read The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden and also The Birds, the Bees and Other Secrets by Frances Garrood and I notice that I was the first with a copy of this to review. I thoroughly enjoyed both these books as they both triggered emotions in me!

I finished Confessions of a Contractor last night and posted my review today. Started on City of Refuge over breakfast, and emailed a friend of mine in New Orleans to make sure I can bounce some questions off of her, just in case.

Business travel is good for my book backlog.

I just finished Going Down South by Bonnie J. Glover. I will digest tonight and write my review tomorrow. This was a direct dold request from the author. Loved it. I am torn as to what to pick up next, so much to choose from. I am also about half way through White Mary.

I just finished First Daughter (why does LT insist this should touchstone as some hummingbird book??), and I needed something short, so I bumped When We Were Romans up on the list. If it's not sufficiently light, I may have to read a non-arc fluff book next. I'm feeling rather bogged down with my reading lately.

I just finished I, robot and started on The Terminal Spy.

I'm starting Sweetsmoke today, then The Grift and When We Were Romans.

I am reading Bitter Sweets by Roopa Farooki. It's my ER book for July and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I like the style of the author's writing and the characters. I enjoy reading Indian Fiction and this book has a nice balance in that it isn't dominated by the details of the Indian Culture.

Message edited by its author, Aug 19, 2008, 8:55am.

How do you get the titles of the book highlighted and linked here?

Redlady, you put square brackets around the title and two sets of them around the author, like this:
(Bitter Sweets) by ((Roopa Farooki))
If I change ( to the square bracket, I get
Bitter Sweets by Roopa Farooki.

Just a note that sometimes the touchstones choose the wrong book, you have to look out for that.

I'm reading An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken right now.

I love that title....

I've now started on Resistance: A Frenchwoman's Journal of the War by Agnes Humbert and am 'enjoying' it so far. I'm only on page 10, but it seems to be beautifully written, although not a very fast read.

I just finished Resistance and I thought it was very good. The only thing I found a bit difficult was keeping track of who was who.

152, 153 -- (Well, DoB probably already knows this) If the touchstone chooses the wrong book, click on "others" to get the full list and choose the right book to get the touchstone to work properly.

anysia,

Thanks for adding that, I felt like it was too much all in one post. The touchstones can be a bit confusing.

I'm reading Surviving Ben's Suicide by Caroline Comfort Shields

None of the Above --interesting book about not voting for either guy this year...probably pointless, but I sort of get what the author's trying to say. I'm not sure I'm tickled pink with the field this year either!

Dob and anysia Thanks for the tips on the touchstones to highlight the book titles! I appreciate the help.

Guernica by Dave Boling. I like it, but I'm not finding it to be as great as other reviews have said.

I just started The Grift by Debra Ginsberg. I loved Blind Submission and so far this book is even better.

Message edited by its author, Aug 22, 2008, 12:34am.

I just started The Grift as well. Liking it so far.

Arrgh! Tried to read "My Father's Paradise" and TOTALLY could not get into it.

I am so bummed. Hopefully this will pass :(

**looks for encouragement**

Message edited by its author, Aug 22, 2008, 7:27am.

I finished The Grift; review posted. I was surprised at myself for liking it! (That's the great thing about ARCs though - you read stuff you might not ordinarily pick up.)

I'm reading Stalking Irish Madness, and so far, it's better than I expected.

Well, I decided to wait on Stealing Athena and am reading So Long at the Fair. I'm not sure how I feel about the book yet. I like the author - she writes well - the storyline so far just isn't my cup of tea. I'm going to stick it out though. And I'm STILL reading The Power Makers. It really is interesting - it's just LONG!

Message edited by its author, Aug 22, 2008, 10:42am.

I'm reading My Father's Paradise now. So far, I like it, but it's not an easy read.

I'm reading Stealing Athena, The Gargoyle, Creepers, and Freeze Frame right now. I think I need that 12-step program!

I'm jugging Resistance, Guernica, and Rune Warriors right now. This is all entirely too much war, but at least all three are rather different.

Holy cow! I could never keep up with 4 books at a time.

I'm still reading Terminal Spy and have started in on Dating the Older Man. I'm taking a break from fiction (saving that for my vacation).

173: I'm actually reading six, but only four are ARC's. I normally only read three at a time, but I'm trying to get as many read by September as possible since that's going to be a really busy month for me.

I just finished Inside Out Girl and I've also started up with Sweetsmoke. The Grift is next!

I just finished The Night Villa by Carol Goodman - the back of the ARC said it was going to be released Aug 28, but it was actually released Aug 5! (Oops)

My review: http://skrishnasbooks.blogspot.com/2008/...

The Book of Lies and its excellent so far!, it's release date is Sept. 2, along with three others in the stack...oh boy...I'd better crank it up!!

Just finished Stalking Irish Madness and thought it was OK. My review is up at The Book Lady's Blog .

#178..Have you watched the trailer for The Book of Lies? It's got all my faves like Joss Whedon and Damon Lindelof! :)

I watched The Book of Lies trailer and didn't really understand it, so I looked at the book's web site. It made much more sense to me.

I just finished Lost by Cathy Ostlere, which I believe is out in Canada and will be out in the US in March of next year. I think it's out already but will start on Schooled soon. Glad to see some people are liking it.

Gave my husband My Father's Paradise and he didn't like it either. *sigh*

So while waiting I finished up The Practical Surveyor and The Handy Boys Book. I REALLY like this last one. Beard's since of humor and playful tone explain why the book is a classic.

ooops... a dup.

Message edited by its author, Aug 29, 2008, 10:45am.

I'm reading The Wooden Mile: Something Wickedly Weird. It's a kid's book, but it's fun.

I am really looking forward to The Grift, but I have set it aside for now. I am trying to catch up on things that are due to be released or have been recently released, and I've got some time on that one. I am currently reading The Good Thief, which was released last week. I'm listening to The Great Gatsby and surprisingly not loving it. The language is sometimes flowery and overblown to the point of absurdity and I am eager for something to actually HAPPEN.

>186 Hasn't The Grift already been published or am I misunderstanding what you're saying?

I'm reading David Liss's The Whiskey Rebels (offered through LTER, but I got my copy from another program that offers items for review). It takes place in Philadelphia not long after the Revolutionary War. Although a relatively long novel, its definitely very engrossing and a quick read--at least, so far in the first 80 pages. I loved Liss's Conspiracy of Paper series, so I was especially looking forward to this book.

Message edited by its author, Aug 26, 2008, 8:58pm.

Sweetheart. It comes out next Tuesday, so I'm glad I'll have it done and reviewed before then. I don't think it got great reviews here, but I'm liking it.

187: The Grift came out on August 12th according to our inventory software here at work.

hmmmm...i did finish it and guess i should write my review!

I just read Guernica's prologue and loved, loved, loved it. I hope the rest of the book lives up to my expectations, now!

192,
I just read it and I think it will (I LOVED it). Just don't let yourself get put off by the way it jumps from person to person in the beginning. I promise he will bring the story together.

I'm about 50 pages into American Wife, and so far, I'm not sure what all the hype is about. I'm waiting for it to get good. Someone please tell me that it gets better.

>194,
Well, for me the very beginning was probably the slowest. My thing was that I really liked her as a character, so if you don't get to that point in the in the next 50 pages or so, the book may just not fit for you.

Thanks, DoB. I'm having a hard time getting interested in her childhood memories...I think I'll keep reading at least until she becomes an adult and then make a decision. I really want to like this one.

Just started my August ER book, The Book of Matthew. I could not believe how fast it came!!

reading Tess Gerritsen's The Keepsake..since i begged for it and it is coming out 9/9, I must get it finished and reviewed.

Caitemaire-
That's next on my list..although mine is a hardcopy and not an arc. Really looking forward to reading it!

My mom said The Keepsake is awesome. I'm going to read it next. for once, i don't have a book due for review tomorrow to read!

#199/#200

mine is a hardcopy too.

i am a big fan of her previous books and The Keepsake is quite good so far. but i have just had such a busy week at work. i tell ya, this working for a living really screws with my reading!

I am reading the newest by Kathy Reichs - I got it in ARC form which I thought was interesting - I thought once you "made it big" that they did not really make ARCS of your book - but apparently I was wrong.

nitestar how is the new Kathy Reichs book? I am such a huge fan. Can't wait for this one to come out.

I am reading the Summer Blowout apparently its not really an ARC darn...it was through HC

195- I think the beginning of American Wife was actually my favorite part. LOL!

I just started The Necklace. I think it's going to be pretty good. The only weird thing is it's written like fiction, this lady did this and this lady thought this. I thought it would be written like the lady telling her story in her own words. If that makes any sense.

I'm reading my penguin classics book, Henry VI Part II in a rush before the 'deadline' and am going to start on either The Necklace or The Shiniest Jewel. Any suggestions on which I should go with?

205-Hey we have the same idea! I'm reading the necklace then I'm going to read the Shiniest Jewel since it will be pretty quick and then I'm going to read my Penguin classic!

You could probably read the Shiniest Jewel in a matter of an hour or two.

Okay, maybe I'll start with that then, and then read The Necklace later today if I have a chance (it is slooow at work today and no bosses are around).

DevourerOfBooks - go with The Shiniest Jewel you can read it in an hour.

207- My boss isn't around but that just mean more work for me. Ahhh!

You guys were right, The Shiniest Jewel is done and was pretty moving. I guess I need to get back to Henry VI Part II for a bit, then move onto The Necklace.

210- Wow that was fast. I'll definitely read it this weekend. That's what I like about most shorter graphic novels. If I for some reason set it down and realize that several months later, it won't take up much time to reread the part I previously read. I need to do that with one actually!

I'm now 200ish pages into American Wife, and let me tell you, it is scandalicious. I think there's going to be a lot of, erm, interesting press around this book next week.

Thanks for making me stick with it, DoB.

scandalicious = scandalously delicious?

You're welcome, I'm sure you'd do that same for me.

I just started American Wife and so far it's a pretty quiet read, but I'm only about 50 pages in. Looking forward to the scandalicious parts!

I just finished Off the Menu by Christine Son and posted my review!

http://skrishnasbooks.blogspot.com/2008/...

Also just started The Late Bloomer's Revolution, which is great so far: the first chapter made me both laugh and get teary-eyed. I think it's going to be a fast and fun read.

I'm just starting The Matchmaker of Perigord and The Black Tower. Fun! :-)

I'm starting Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons. It's already been released, but I got it a little late.

I just finished Midwife of the Blue Ridge by Christine Blevins and really, really enjoyed it - this will be an easy review to write!

Avisannschild: No, you didn't misunderstand. It may have already been published, but that doesn't mean they aren't still sending out ARCs.

I finished The Good Thief and I'm currently working on The Necklace, which I am enjoying more than I expected to.

just finished The Keepsake and about to start The Gone Away World.

shucks....guess I should do some laundry first.

I'm going to read Coventry by Helen Humphries as soon as it arrives in the mail from Goodreads! Can't wait--her novel Wild Dogs is one of my favourite books!

Finished American Wife and posted my review at The Book Lady's Blog . I lost interested in the last 150ish pages, so I didn't love it as much as some others have, but I thought it was OK.

I'm moving on to a review copy of After the Fire by Robin Gaby Fisher that I received from the author...it's already been released, but I have an ARC.

Touchstones aren't working for me right now...

Message edited by its author, Aug 31, 2008, 2:37pm.

I just started The Heretic's Daughter after a brief break from arcs, and I'm finding the writing to be lovely. The language is so descriptive and beautiful without being overly flowery. I've not gotten too far into it, but it's got the potential to be among my favorites for the year.

>224, It was good all the way through. Enjoy reading!

#224 - I loved The Heretic's Daughter. I agree with you about the writing.

I had to re-read The Eight first, but finally started The Fire a couple of days ago. I'm really enjoying it.

I'm halfway through Sweetheart and will start American Wife and Woman of a Thousand Secrets soon. This is a crazy month for ARCs for me..

I am reading Woman of a thousand Secrets right now, then on to The Hunger Games!

> 132 Thanks, koolaid mom! Somehow I haven't read this thread for weeks, sorry to be so late in responding to your 'heads up'! I didn't get Confessions of a Contractor, but all signs point to "yes" that I'd enjoy it (got my Magic 8 Ball next to my TBR pile on the bookcase!)

We were away for the long weekend and I barely read (do exit signs on the NJ Turnpike count?) ... now I'm finishing up Hurry Down Sunshine which is fabulously written about a scary/depressing/off-limits topic. I have to keep taking breaks because I find it so intense (one of every parent's nightmares ... now I have to add this to my list of worries?!?)

I also just started The Heretic's Daughter and I'm finding it a great read.

Just finishing John Grogan's The Longest Trip Home.

I was sitting at the pool, tears streaming down my face. At least they were easier to hide (behind sunglasses) than the gaffaws of laughter that Nation provoked. :o)

Message edited by its author, Sep 1, 2008, 7:52pm.

I am almost done with Hunger Games and it is amazing. I only put it down because I have work to do...

I'm reading Against Medical Advice and so far, it's heart wrenching.

It took me forever to finish The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden because it just didn't do anything for me. I feel as if Anne Tyler and others already told the story of a woman who walks away from her marriage. It just felt the same to me.

I've just finished The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski which was great. My review has just been posted:http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/

I am now reading Twice Born by Pauline Gedge which I got from her publicist in my first cold request. It's set in ancient Egypt and it's something else. This time period and setting is her forte, she's written several good books on the subject, which the men in my family read. This one is the first in a new trilogy by her. She's offered to send me her next one too, as early as November. Yahoo! Sorry I just had to say that.

Coming off the heels of the wonderful Heretic's Daughter, I started Forsaken my June ER book (I've put this one off too long). It's not fabulous. I'm about half done, and it's easy and quick reading, but it's not great literature, that's for sure. I'll probably finish it tonight, and be happy to be done with it.

edited because OOPS, Forsaken is not a werewolf book.

Message edited by its author, Sep 13, 2008, 7:56pm.

Anyone else reading Descartes' Bones or The Terminal Spy (which seems endless).

Working on The Gone-Away World, which also seemed endless, but just started getting good again.

LOL Anysia. I am also reading Terminal Spy and you are right, it seems endless. I think the problem is that the writer spends too much time trying to make it a thriller and fills it with all these details that at the end of the day, have nothing to do with how Litvenienko died. I started it the day it arrived(which was awhile ago) and I have read like 4/5 books in between.

Exactly! It's like he's trying to make it a bigger event than it was. I've also read about 4 or 5 books since I started it.

Glad I'm not alone.

Re-reading Fire Fish by Davy Liu. It's an inspirational children's book (Christian) by a former Disney animator. Trying to figure out the review. The artwork is fabulous.

I just got my first ARC!! It's called Dirty Little Angles by Chris Tusa. It's pretty good so far just started it last night tho so we shall see. This is the author's first book so I'm excited to be able to read it and review it for him.

Not an ARC, but I'm reading a review copy of The Nettle Spinner by Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer, which I got from Mini Book Expo. Also started Midwife of the Blue Ridge by Christine Blevins, which I got directly from the author.

I'm working on Sarah's Key right now and I'm having a hard time putting it down so I can go and do some cleaning. It is dual time period and the chapters are short, going back and forth each new chapter between the present and 1942 so I keep wanting to read just ONE more chapter. I'm was planning to stop on page 100 to go and clean, but now I'm on 152...oops!

I'm really enjoying The Grift by Debra Ginsberg.

I'm reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson.

jenlaw: I'm reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo also...only 60ish pages left, and I can't put it down. What do you think?

I'm about 100 pages in...it was a bit slow at first but now it's picking up!

I thought so, too....I like that it's not bang-bang-bang action but has a nice, gradual build. I got to a really suspenseful part last night and had to lie in bed with the lights on for a few minutes and make my hubby talk to me so I could fall asleep without those images in my head.

Wow...I've heard amazing reviews about it. I'm behind in my reading/reviews but had to squeeze this one in!

I'm just getting ready to start the Grift today as well.

This weekend I started and put down The Terminal Spy and Gone Away World. I just couldn't get into either one. Looks like my MIL will be doing guest reviews on my blog this month. LOL I'm currently reading Nation and loving it so far.

Almost finished the Grift.

>238

when did it get good again? please tell me, because I gave up on it about 75 pages in and need some motivation to pick it up again. see, 'endless' is not a good thing for me when it comes to a book.

in the mean time, I am going to start Blue Genes.

Message edited by its author, Sep 15, 2008, 6:39pm.

>254, Once you get to page 270 the story picks up again where it left off in chapter one. Page 323 was the beginning of the section that kind of knocked me off balance and it really took off from there. So, yeah: it's a long way to read to get to the good part.

The last third of the book has continued to be rather mind-bending, and some of the stuff that happened earlier is suddenly important. Still, I think he could have condensed, majorly, and I've figured out where I need to skim to keep my sanity. Definitely not the most readable book I've ever sat down with but at this point I am glad I stuck with it, for what it's worth.

Just started reading Company of Liars.

The story takes place in the mid 13th Century, and is supposed to be a re-telling of Chaucer's Canterbury tales.

I sort of doubt that it's an actual retelling. More likely inspired by.
(Written in first person which I generally loath.)

Message edited by its author, Sep 15, 2008, 8:54pm.

I finished The Grift and really enjoyed it. Not a stunner, but some very good characterizations and since I'm from Southern California, it held special interest for me.

I just pulled The Wordy Shipmates out of the stacks. It sounds wonderful.

I finally finished Forsaken, which I didn't enjoy, and I've moved on to Written in Blood, which I'm really hoping is better.

Just finished Ted Dekker's Sinner, it was different, I'm having trouble coming up with a review, at times it was....meh....other times pretty good.

I'm reading Guernica, didn't really expect much, but I'm liking it quite a bit.

Finished The Gone-Away World, woohoo!!!!! So glad to be moving on. Now I'm torn between Confessions of a Contractor, which is the library's copy, finishing Acedia and Me, which I stopped halfway through and am not excited about picking up again, and The Swap, which is my august ER book.

256: I really enjoyed Company of Liars. I'm agreed with you about how the book isn't really a retelling of the Canterbury Tales.

#260--If you don't like it, don't finish it! Just write DNF in your review...after all, so many books, so precious little time!

#262, It's not so much that I don't like it... well, okay, I don't. But I feel like I need to give it more time (says she of the "Gone-Away World finally got good on page 323," LOL!) and after a long book I'm more in the mood for a quick read, kwim?

I'm debating whether to post a review of The Gone-Away World. I think I'll post one on LT but not on my blog. I was interviewed about it by Lenore, so in a way I've already posted about it once and I'm not sure it deserves 2 posts. I might just do a quick "finished it, here's the review on LT" mention in another post and move on.

I finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo last night and loved it. Review is up at

I'm about 75% finished with it, bnbooklady. I can't pull myself away from it (Darn work!!)

Did you get to the end of the 3rd section, Jen? That's where I got freaked out. It's so good...can't wait to hear your thoughts.

I can't recall off the top of my head where I am...haven't had a chance to read it since last I posted. It's really really getting good, though!

Reading "Alive in Africa" and enjoying it.

((arrgh I'm behind in my reviews...!!!))

I just now finished In Hovering Flight by Joyce Hinnefeld. I loved it.
My review and giveaway will go up soon. It's a beautiful book too.
http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/

I'm currently reading Forgotten Fashion: An Illustrated Faux History of Outrageous Trends and their Untimely Demise which shouldn't take long and starting Nation by Terry Pratchett, which I am really looking forward to.

I'm still reading my Penguin classic, A Mixture of Frailties. Since I started it I've read two other books. I like it but it's taking forever to get through! I'm definitely past my 6 week deadline for a review!

I finished The Wordy Shipmates and really enjoyed it. I also read my August Bonus Batch ER book Any Given Doomsday and didn't like it so much.

I'm reading Midwife of the Blue Ridge right now, by Christine Blevins. She sent me an ARC and signed it for me! It's quite good so far and holding my interest nicely.

I'm reading Bitter Sweets by Roopa Farooki. I didn't snag it from LTERs, so I requested a review copy and was thrilled to get it. It's very good so far...not technically an ARC since it was released last year, but they're promoting the paperback release on Sept. 30th, so it kind of counts.

I'm reading The Dracula Dossier by James Reese. It was very slow to get into, but I'm enjoying it a lot now. After this, Stalin's Children by Owen Matthews, which looks great.

Not an ARC either, but a review copy: I'm reading The Corpse Will Keep by Pat Capponi, which I received from HarperCollins Canada. It's the second in a series and since I'd read and enjoyed the first I was happy to get this one! (In fact, I'd almost bought it not long before I snagged it from HC!)

274: glad to hear you're enjoying The Dracula Dossier. I have an ARC coming to me soon, and it sounds intriguing.

I was surprised to see that The Dracula Dossier (276, your touchstone is pointing to a different book) has a really low rating. I read some of the reviews, and it seemed that most of those who rated it lowly had serious dislike for epistolary novels or for the footnotes. Personally, I thought both of those things worked well in what Reese was doing.

#277: I agree. He was channeling Stoker and I think he did a great job with that - I wonder if those people would have given Dracula a low rating too.

>278,
I would have to assume so. I think they wanted a more modern thriller, or at least expected that that is what it would be.

I just finished A Map of Home and I thought is was so grim, what with all the abuse, name-calling, rape, and general lack of joy in the protagonist's family. Yet the reviews, both here and on Amazon, praise it for humor! Just goes to show that a perfectly good book can be interpreted completely differently by different people.

I have just posted my review of In Hovering Flight by Joyce Hinnefeld, a beautiful story, here:http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/

I'm reading The Watercooler Effect by Nicholas Difonzo and not really enjoying it that much. It seems like much too much book for the subject matter - probably worth a longish essay rather than a book.

However, it's an ARC and I feel obligated.

karen, I think you're right about The Watercooler Effect. It was fairly interesting, but there was nothing startling in it.

I finished Nation and posted my review here. And I'm reading something that actually isn't an ARC! Anything Goes, John Barrowman's autobiography. Breezed through the first 150 pages while I was waiting for room service.

Currently reading James Reese's latest book, The Dracula Dossier. A bit of the vampire myth combined with Jack the Ripper combined with The Woman in White. So as you can imagine, very, very creepy.

Not an ARC, but I'm reading The Richest Season by Maryann McFadden and thoroughly enjoying it so far (more than I expected to).

284- I have this on my wishlist. Looking forward to your review.

I'm working my way through Devil's Brood at the moment, hoping against hope that I can finish it before next Tuesday (actually, hopefully early enough to post the review no later than Monday).

I'm reading The Longest Trip Home and I'm loving it so far.

I'm working on a review copy of Murder Takes the Cake by Gayle Trent. It's her debut novel. It was a cold request from Bell Bridge Books

287: I have a copy of Devil's Brood on my shelf right now, and I'll be reading it as soon as I finish The Glass of Time--which, by the way, is absolutely fantastic.

288> Good to hear, that's next on my list!