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What Are You Reading Now? : Your BEST BOOKS of 2009		41	jmaloney17, Today 4:36pm
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Monthly Bests		43	allthesedarnbooks, Today 4:14pm
The Green Dragon : 1001 Science Fiction Books to Read Before a Supernova Kills Us All		129	Morphidae, Today 2:15pm
Name that Book : Science Fiction - Space ship searches for God on a remote planet		15	MEStaton, Today 4:53am
999 Challenge : MarthaJeanne's Challenge		148	MarthaJeanne, Today 1:53am
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Fourpawz2 reads 75 in 2009		304	alcottacre, Tuesday 5:12pm
50 Book Challenge : brenzi		178	brenzi, Tuesday 10:49am
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Here we go again! RedBowlingBallRuth's reading challenge '09!		244	drneutron, Tuesday 9:40am
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Alaskabookworm's 2009 Reading List		226	drneutron, Saturday 10:55am
50 Book Challenge : calm counting (should reach 50 by the end of the year!)		48	calm, Friday 11:54am
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Susan aka Suslyn rounds out the year		48	suslyn, December 2
Fantasy Forum : Science Fiction Books		19	Jenson_AKA_DL, November 23
Club Read 2009 : Tad's 2009 Reads (TadAD)		252	tomcatMurr, November 22
Book talk : SciFi Fantasy for Adults please..a little sex, maybe?		33	FFortuna, November 13
999 Challenge : sherton's 999 challenge		64	sherton, November 11
Catholic Science Fiction :		35	hnau, November 5
What Are You Reading Now? : Abandoned Books redux (Life is short. Don't read crap.)		232	sanja, November 4
Science Fiction Fans : Female Authors		87	LamontCranston, November 4
What Are You Reading Now? : What are your favorite World War Two novels?		86	mollygrace, November 3
What Are You Reading Now? : 2009 - Your Best Five Reads of Q3 (July -Sept)		79	bibleeohfile, November 2
The Green Dragon : October 2009 Reads		130	MrsLee, November 1
Books that made me think : BooksThat Made Me Think		64	bridgitshearth, November 1
I'll Read Yours if You'll Read Mine : Luxx looking for a challenge		16	Luxx, October 26
Books that made me think : Message Board		143	shanglee, October 25
What Are You Reading Now? : What Are You Reading the Week of October 17, 2009?		184	PaperbackPirate, October 24
999 Challenge : MusicMom41's 999 challenge		341	MusicMom41, October 6
Book talk : WHAT ARE YOU READING NOW? Where? Why? How? What? Is it? What?		160	callmejacx, September 30
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : What We Are Reading - Fantasy/SF		354	TadAD, September 29
List Five Books Parlour Game : This is for the birds		36	coppers, September 23
Book talk : Ok, this is a good one. What is the most disturbing book you have read?		389	Phlox72, September 17
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Womansheart Joins the 75/2009 Challenge		255	womansheart, September 11
Book talk : Most abandoned book		142	petersonvl, September 9
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Lunacat's Log take 3.........more books, less cats!		269	lunacat, September 8
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Tad's Books in 2009, Part 4		237	TadAD, September 4
Book talk : Need a book worthy of being number 200		8	usnmm2, September 2
100 Books Challenge for 2009 : koalamom goes for 100		86	englishrose60, August 29
Crime, Thriller & Mystery : What are you reading now?		306	txeqx, August 22
Christianity : books that influenced you		52	jayd808, August 19
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : 75 reads in 09		87	alcottacre, August 10
What Are You Reading Now? : The Gathering Place -- 2009 thread #7		244	koalamom, August 9
What Are You Reading Now? : What are you reading the week of July 4, 2009?		312	simora, August 8
999 Challenge : koalamom's attempt at 999		51	koalamom, August 6
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Kidzdoc's 75 Book Challenge for 2009 #3		259	kidzdoc, August 6
What Are You Reading Now? : Books Brought Home - July 2009		228	rolandperkins, August 1
BookMooching : A Book Search Among Friends		428	infiniteletters, July 29
What Are You Reading Now? : What are you reading the week of June 27, 2009?		259	ashleywolf, July 28
999 Challenge : SqueakyChu's		137	lilisin, July 26
What Are You Reading Now? : The Clunkers of 2008		180	DMO, July 19
50-Something Library Thingers : Marooned on a desert island		28	Jim53, July 19
What Are You Reading Now? : What are you reading the week of July 11, 2009?		268	FicusFan, July 18
50-Something Library Thingers : Judging a book's cover		4	mckait, July 13
Club Read 2009 : charbutton's 2009 reading		177	charbutton, July 10
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Terri's 75 Challenge for 2009		221	alcottacre, July 4
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Porch_Reader's 2009 Reading		274	porch_reader, June 11
Book talk : Your Best Characters in Fiction		26	nibs_, June 2
The Green Dragon : Happy Birthday, dchaikin		39	momom248, June 1
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : SpongeBobFishpants 2009 Reading List		32	loriephillips, May 31
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : kath's 75 challenge for 2009		239	mckait, May 26
What Are You Reading Now? : Another Meme--please forgive me		57	jnwelch, May 19
What Are You Reading Now? : What is the Best Book you've read so far this year? April 2008		201	nannybebette, May 18
Science Fiction Fans : Religion and Science Fiction		59	jimroberts, May 14
Book talk : Your favorite book?		121	Sandydog1, May 13
What Are You Reading Now? : Books that I think deserve some "hype"		18	AquariusNat, May 1
Girlybooks : Science Fiction written by women		47	AquariusNat, April 28
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : 100 Favorites		90	blackdogbooks, April 22
999 Challenge : bonniebook's 999 challenge - 2009		207	bonniebooks, April 20
Book talk : The Hummingbird's Daughter a sequel and a movie!! and in the meantime		5	mckait, April 19
What Are You Reading Now? : Books Brought Home, April 2009		237	mckait, April 17
Science Fiction Fans : Science Fiction versus 'Proper Literature'		566	kevmalone, April 8
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : Best reads of the month - March		38	Luxx, April 5
Book talk : book club choices		30	solestria, March 15
The Green Dragon : Darkest Books		46	karenmarie, February 26
75 Books Challenge for 2009 : AlcottAcre's 2009 Reads, Take 2		352	laytonwoman3rd, February 26
Hogwarts Express : Game: But I've Never Read.......II		229	Mysterion, February 22
Historical Fiction : Your 2008 Top Ten		51	Cariola, February 22
What Are You Reading Now? : Recommendations?		23	CAGEYM, February 10
The Green Dragon : A novel approach to dating...		47	GeorgiaDawn, February 9
The Green Dragon : Books that came into your home in January		89	Shanra, January 31
KCPL Read 100 Challenge : Favorite Book so far?		2	annakellywv, January 29
999 Challenge : erica471's		15	erica471, January 27
Book talk : Another Silly Game, part 18		390	moibibliomaniac, January 18
999 Challenge : The X-Woman's		8	nmhale, January 8
50 Book Challenge : Susan's 100 books		129	sussabmax, January 7
75 Books Challenge for 2008 : BeSerene's Books of 2008		126	beserene, January 5
75 Books Challenge for 2008 : Alaskabookworm's 2008 Challenge		390	alaskabookworm, January 4
50 Book Challenge : Donna828 is feeling challenged in 2008		101	Donna828, January 2
75 Books Challenge for 2008 : AlcottAcre's 2008 Reads		576	Oklahoma, January 1
The Green Dragon : Your best books read in 2008! Fiction		54	dressagegrrrl, December 2008
50 Book Challenge : Blondierocket's 2008		126	blondierocket, December 2008
75 Books Challenge for 2008 : Hemlokgang's 75 Book Challenge		170	FlossieT, December 2008
50 Book Challenge : xicanti's 2008 reading list		288	xicanti, December 2008
TBR Challenge : Medellia12 2009: I'm going to do something I should've done a long time ago		4	Medellia, December 2008
50 Book Challenge : madcow's 50 book Challenge		92	kateleversuch, December 2008
The Green Dragon : What are you reading in November?		131	hearts3134, November 2008
Book Nudgers : urania1 desperately seeking the perfect nudge		102	rebeccanyc, November 2008
888 Challenge : xicanti's 888		60	xicanti, November 2008
What Are You Reading Now? : To re-read or not to re-read (revisited)		22	cornerhouse, November 2008
The Green Dragon : From and lover and writer of fantasy		22	Lyz, November 2008
What Are You Reading Now? : Bookshelf Must-Haves		28	zapzap, October 2008
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... illip The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger Un Lun Dun by China Mieville *Skallagrigg by William Horwood The Sparrow by Maria Doria Russell American Gods by Neil Gaiman Out of Eden : The Peopling of the World By Stephen Oppenheimer

... but I will settle on - Blindspot by Jane Kamensky and Jill Lepore Non-fiction: - nothing September: Fiction: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Non-fiction: Almost French by Sarah Turnbull October: Fiction: An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon Non-fiction: ...

... committed suicide six months earlier. I loved this book. Imagine a combination of Heart of Darkness, Fieldwork, and The Sparrow and you sort of get the picture. However, be warned, this is not for the faint of heart. There are some soul-breaking scenes and hard questions about life are ...

... Nonfiction - The Zookeeper's Wife - Diane Ackerman March: Fiction - TIE Song Yet Sung - James McBride The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell Nonfiction - What I Talk About When I Talk About Running - Haruki Murakami April: Fiction - Krik? Krak! - Edwidge Danitca ...

... bias toward it). I have read George R.R. Martin and Philip Pullman though and loved both of their series. I do have The Sparrow sitting patiently in a pile, after hearing such good things about it, here on LT. Glad you are enjoying the group read, it's been a lot of fun! Take care!

... the complaint about the extremes - all lovely or just brutal - although I might recomend another horribly brutal novel, The Sparrow simply because it's intelligent and adult sci-fi/fantasy, definitely not kids stuff.

... Bear. I prefer books where there are interesting characters and aliens and how they interact with humans such as The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell and The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven and Alien Earth by Megan Lindholm.

... on Icelandic author Indridason's Jar City (I think it has a different title in the UK). English subtitles. - re The Sparrow. I really enjoyed this back in the 90s when it came out and part of me wants to say that it's very much a part of the 90s. I wonder what I would think of it if I ...

Oooh, Ghost Story! I remember that one from my younger days - definitely spooky. #160 calm - The Sparrow keeps getting moved up in my tbr pile. I'm always glad to hear good things about it. I read The Time Traveller's Wife almost two years ago (also after its initial hype wound down). I ...

I finished The Sparrow -well worth reading but disturbing. I am now at the stage where I can ignore the hype and have started The Time Traveller's Wife (good so far)

I finished The Sparrow yesterday and —as soon as I have any money:(— I will search for the sequel. Initial reaction was that it was brilliant (and I rated it 5 stars) but on reflection I think it is only a 4/4.5 (there are small flaws) but well worth reading and recommending. I ...

38) The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell (19 Oct -21 Oct) (reviewed - as below may expand later!) This is an amazing book. The interweaving of the past and "present" to form one story; the ...

I also picked up The Sparrow on the used shelf at my library a few months ago. I haven't started it yet but am looking forward to it.

#99 calm - I loved The Sparrow. I hope you do too. I have Children of God but it sits patiently on my shelves waiting for me to be in the right mood to read it. I'm currently reading World Without End by Ken Follett so I can discuss it with my daughter. She just finished it last ...

I am reading The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. I read about this on LT and thought it sounded interesting so when I spotted a copy in a charity shop I added it to my TBR shelf. I finally started reading it a couple of days ago and think I better start looking for the next book Children of God ...

I am reading The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. What an amazing book, I am getting near the end and wishing I had the sequel to hand.

... *think* this is the book I was looking for when I picked up Modesitt's. For some reason I was reminded of Russell's The Sparrow, but another person probably wouldn't. This one is not heart-rending or difficult like Russell's work was. It is good with a satisfying ending. The Mirr ...

... rarely read Science Fiction, but I've enjoyed the few that have been recommended to me (e.g., To Say Nothing of the Dog, Sparrow, Kindred). I do have a lot of books in my library that I would call American lit. In fact, most titles would fit in that category. What do you say? Up for ...

Yes, time really does slow down when you approach light speed. See Albert Einstein for details. I love The Sparrow. The sequel is not nearly as good, IMHO.

Yes, I will, Linda. I put Children of God on the wishlist (with a high Book Lust number) before I even finished The Sparrow. As for the violence, I seem to have a pretty high tolerance for that sort of thing, at least in books, that is. Probably goes hand in hand with my ability to listen to ...

... some of the books you really don't like! Good luck with the next books. I hope they are as interesting for you as The Sparrow, which by the way was a book that haunted me. I didn't like what I perceived to be graphic violence. I read it as an early review copy years ago when it first ...

... pen. That confession made, I am happy to report that I have been reading some good stuff. I have finished Book No. 83 - The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell and I really, really liked it. I am not a science-oriented kind of person (to say the least), but I was wondering, does anyone out ...

>45: emaestra- You have an excellent list! I hope to get to The Sparrow soon!

... Shore by Haruki Murakami Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides I see several of my recent purchases listed here so it looks like I have good ones to look ...

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 1. Where did you get this book? Barnes & Noble 2. How much did it cost? $14.95 3. Why did you pick this book to read NOW? Finished a horrible book on Sunday and wanted something adult and good. Have been anticipating this one for a long time. 4 ...

You've pretty much proposed a conundrum there. As much as I like The Sparrow, I don't know that I would use it to commemorate anything. Robert

... I recently bought Thread of Grace because of a recommendation on LT but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I've added The Sparrow to my wish list--I plan to continue my scifi/fantasy adventure next year. Kindred is alrady on my wish list. I'm getting quite a list for scifi/fantasy next ...

Yeah! I did this too and I feel sooo much better! Have you read The Sparrow? I don't normally read SciFi, but really enjoyed that one. Also liked Kindred. Funny how they both included time-travel, but maybe that's the most common element to SF, I don't know. Happy reading. P.S. I ...

... who is recounting the story if a group of people traveling the planet Rakhat to find God.N (This story is detailed in Sparrow by the sam author). It is not a humorous book, however, so it may not be the one you're thinking of.

... loved it because it read like a history and social study as opposed to a science fiction. I was the same way about The Sparrow, lunacat. I loved the book, but never felt that it was science fiction, despite parts of the book being set on another planet.

Nice review on The Sparrow. I have to say I'm one of those who loved it because it read like a history and social study as opposed to a science fiction. I find myself getting fed up very quickly of sf that revolve around technology and not around people.

Please add my congratulations regarding your hot review for The Sparrow. I'm with Lorie on this one...I read it when it was released as an advanced reading copy. My friends loved it. I felt sick after reading it. It was too graphic for me. But, I appreciate your review nonetheless!

#87 Another excellent review TadAD. I read The Sparrow about 10 years ago and did not care much for it. I've recently added it to the TBR pile for a re-read since my tastes often change.

Tad; Congratulations on your Hot Review for The Sparrow!~! Very well done sir and an excellent review. Thank you. belva

Tad, I read The Sparrow earlier this year, but had not gotten around to reviewing it. You are "spot on" in my opinion. I am glad you posted your review to the book page. I can now just say "what Tad said"!

... I could not bear to read The Fountainhead... I did not even want to read the cliff notes for it! I rather liked The Sparrow, an interesting premise... one of the richest groups on earth (so happens to be a religious group) builds a spaceship and goes to another world to spread the ...

Didn't know there was a sequel to The Sparrow - ah, another book to go onto my To collection.

#82: Have you read any of Russell's other books? I have not found a bad one yet, but favorite is her first, The Sparrow. I enjoyed An Abundance of Katherines, too, even though I have never been or ever will be a boy.

... Secret Knowledge of Water by Craig Childs Outlander by Diana Gabaldon The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Back to Barbary Lane Omnibus by Armistead Maupin The Newford Stories by Charles de Lint Into the Green by Charles De Lint Spirits ...

From Bookmooch (a special LT friend): The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell So much positive buzz on this one! Now I can experience it on my own! Won in a Giveaway contest: Worst Nightmares by Shane Briant. Looks to be an interesting horror thriller! My wife plucked it from my hands and ...

... while watching the kids in the pool, and the amount of good science fiction has plummeted. (Having said that, I'm enjoying The Sparrow right now.)

I finished The Sparrow inn time to pickup THREE books that had been on hold for me at the library Loitering with Intent, Finger Lickin Fifteen and Strawberry Shortcake Murder. Oh, and I also read Champagne Cocktails just for fun!

Almost done with The Sparrow and the library emails me that two of my holds have come in, so I am off to pick them up and will return all three at the same time.

... state the reason for my opinion in the first paragraph. Catholic missionaries in the new world were her inspiration for The Sparrow. I believe that topic would have made a better story than the one she wrote. As to why I believe that, perhaps it is just a feeling that trying to understand ...

I have to read these posts more closely. I hadn't realized The sparrow was Sci-fi until I went looking for it - which I did yesterday right after reading all your posts. I haven't gotten to the religious part as yet - they've only just gotten going on the voyage, but I love sci-fi and ...

I picked The Sparrow up at the library yesterday after so many here were recommending it. I am already halfway through - almost.

... in the 16th century instead. I am certainly glad that you enjoyed the other books. I can certainly accept that The Sparrow was not your cup of tea, and that you saw the religion differently than the rest of us. To each his own after all..but "But I think that I would have enjoyed it ...

Mckait, yes I was aware that The Sparrow contained religion and was "futuristic" and not historical. However, the author mentions that she was inspired to write the novel because of the revisionist history of the discovery of the Americas. She felt that the catholic missionaries had gotten a ...

no preaching in Sparrow

Almost finished with Harpist in the Wind and one of my other threads is recommending The Sparrow and it sounds like a good one to get now so I am off to the local library's website to see if its available.

And again fred.. You mention that you would have preferred a historical novel to what Sparrow is... and here you say it is the religion that bothered you. The main character is a jesuit, and the whole journey is made due to jesuits... and it is clear that it is futuristic not a history. Despit ...

... the desert scenery into perspective. I may have to visit the site of the Teton Dam collapse on my return trip. Read The Sparrow yesterday. A quick, easy book about which I have very mixed feelings. As I've said elsewhere, I think an historical novel of 16th century Jesuit missionaries ...

Hmm, so based on everyone's raves, I bought The Sparrow yesterday and read it. I'd give it something like three and half stars. It's better than average, but nothing spectacular. I found all the religion a bit noxious. Anne and George seemed the only fully fleshed and believable ...

... Beautiful North. I also dislike movie tie in covers such as The Night Listener. I like plain old fashioned covers like The Sparrow or The Historian. Do you know what I mean? or is it just me.

... Atlantic was freezy frosty cold at 69F yesterday. >122 howdy do, buckaroo. >123 k-mom, it's so very worth reading The Sparrow! You will love it!! (I hope.)

I'm beginning to think I need to moveThe Sparrow from my To Read (at a later date) collection here on LT to "Better borrow from the library soon" collection.

jolie.. it is certainly not a bad book. It lacks some of the luster of Sparrow... but mainly it is sad and I miss some of the characters of Sparrow. I am very glad I read it.

I haven't been able to get myself to read Children of God because I had heard that it was not as good as The Sparrow. I have been afraid of it ruining my experience of The Sparrow.

Not a failure, just not The Sparrow.

... hers that I read. I don't see the same failure of Children of God that others seem to see except that it is dependent on The Sparrow. Robert

... Bad Science by Ben Goldacre. If I can't get into one of these books, then something is wrong with me! I will put The Sparrow on my wish list, though...

I loved The Sparrow too. In fact I have enjoyed all her books so far (still have to read Dreamers of the Day). I also think that the follow up, Children of God isn't in the same league as the Sparrow.

Fine, fine .... i caved in to the pressure .... I went out and bought a copy of The Sparrow yesterday. I hope y'all are happy now ...... I was going to buy a CD but my feet took me to the book section of the store instead *grumble, mumble*

... outside of your usual?? There has been a lot of talk about it around the forum and it is one of my all time favorites. The Sparrow I have a feeling it will be something you like.. justa thought

OK, now will have to add The Sparrow to my To Read collection. I will never run out of things to read because of this place! - and that's a good thing!!!!!

#136: I love The Sparrow. Glad you enjoyed it too, Ruth (and I am sure it was worth the fine you had to pay at the library!)

... m/exercise/wCiZ199/"> Book # 47 - The Sparrow Hello. I finished reading this one in the wee small hours of the morning. Returned it to the library, as is was two days over due! Yikes. One of the best ...

... e. It's been years since I read Mists of Avalon. Definitely time for a re-read with that one, I loved it. Just finished The Sparrow and am still recovering from that one. Really good read. Miss the characters. WH aka Ruth

So thanks to you pesky people, now I have to read Mists of Avalon and The Sparrow. At least I have a copy of "Mists" handy and I'll have to work on finding the other. Much appreciated everyone....shuffling away...lost & rattled.

Finished reading The Sparrow last night/early this morning. Brilliant and really captivated me the entire time I was reading. womansheart

I'll "third" Mckait and Karenmarie, Coppers. The Sparrow is such a rich read.

I second mckait - The Sparrow was a stunner. I still haven't read Children of God yet, though. It's sitting patiently on my shelves waiting for the right moment.

#92 I've had The Sparrow lanquishing in the stack for about 6 months - sounds like I may need to bump it up...

I agree about The Sparrow. And I enjoyed the sequel, Children of God, as well. I have yet to forgive the author for her completely gratuitous crack about the Chicago Cubs not having been in a World Series by (I think) 2060. :)

Getting very close to the end of The Sparrow. Really hate for it to end, as it has been s-s-o-o-o good. I know the characters will live on in my memory. Definitely will wait for this one to percolate through the dendrites and ganglia, etc. before moving on the next book. Considering Columbin ...

... boring walking, walking with Frodo and Sam that goes on, and probably other slow material, no question about it). Liked The Sparrow, not the sequel, loved Dracula (great gothic fun), etc. I just finished a YA title, Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork, about a high ...

... Children of God, but I was still glad I read it. I have read all of Russell's books, and not regretted one, but liked The Sparrow most of all. Yesterday I read Gift From My Son. I liked it a lot, as it reflected many of my own views.

Decided to sound off, gently, on some books here: The Sparrow-I liked it and have given it as a present but I think you will find the end borrowed from a plot of Mr. Wells. Still good but I found the sequel Children of God clearly an afterthought propelled by the popularity of Sparrow. D ...

... a book about books is generally "heaven" for me. Womansheart - I am always thrilled when someone says they are reading The Sparrow for the first time. It is one of my favorite books. When I finally listened to my friend and made myself read it - I, too, was captivated. Ellie - Congratul ...

... travel read. Now I eagerly look forward to returning to the characters. I'm not sure what's next. All this talk about The Sparrow has me thinking that I might have to revisit that one, too!

#54 et al. The Sparrow is on my top 10 favorites of all time list, maybe #1. Like rockinrhombus, I fell in love with Sandoz (and Jimmy and Ann and pretty much all of them, including the priest from Chicago who went to Rome to defend Sandoz). And yes, it is a hard book to recommend to everyone ...

You simply cannot go wrong with The Sparrow, imo. Wonderful book! I am starting The Rapture, an ARC ~ firt two pages sounded good....

... am familiar with the area it is about, so there is that. I also am a sucker for novels that go back and forth in time. The Sparrow uses that device, and with the time travel, it was hard to keep track. I did fall into that book, and in love with Sandoz. It is a hard book for me to recommend ...

WH- The Sparrow sounds very interesting. I have to wishlist that one! Karen- I've heard so many good things about The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo. I need to break down and pick up a copy, for heaven's sake! Anyone interested in reading or re-reading The Pillars of the Earth? We are having a ...

Captivated by The Sparrow. Wanna read the day away. WH

... would have to be, treasure the characters, they are so very worth being treasured. I have started reading two books. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell and Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell, which is being read for my RL Book Club. BT ...

#72 - The Sparrow is also one of my favorite books. How far are you in it?

... the fact that they are SO different from each other. I suspect that's what makes her a good author. If I hadn't known The Sparrow and Dreamers of the Day were written by the same person, I would never have been able to guess it. Think of all the wonderful books that would never have ...

I am one of the LT people here who loves The Sparrow and I completely agree with you, it is intense. I think that very intensity is one of the reasons I love it so much. I have read all of Russell's books to this point and while there is not a bad one in the bunch (I recommend that everyone ...

... talked about it, Linda, but I've slept since then. It's great to be at an age where every conversation is a new one! The Sparrow seems to be a favorite of quite a few here, but it was just too much for me. Not a bad book, but certainly no favorite. I'm glad to know there is someone else ...

We may have discussed The Sparrow previously, so I'm sorry if I'm being redundant. I agree with you regarding this book. It left me with a not so good feeling. I simply was haunted by what I felt to be the violence of it all. And, yes, it was intense.

... loose ends, but there was no info there that couldn't be found on wikipedia, and it was weird. I did like this better than The Sparrow, but only because I found the latter to be a bit too intense for me. Sci-Fi is not my usual thing. All around, I'd give this a solid 3.75 stars.

I've got The Sparrow on the TBR pile and need to bump it up! Thanks for the review.

#56: The Sparrow made my list of memorable reads last year, lunacat, so I completely agree with your review. As Kath says in message 60, Children of God is not as good as The Sparrow, but I have yet to have read a truly bad book by Russell. I encourage you to read them all.

Luna - I read The Sparrow earlier this year, and I loved it too. I also liked Russell's A Thread of Grace, although it is much different than The Sparrow - historical fiction about the German occupation of northwestern Italy during WWII.

sequel Children of God Not as good as The Sparrow but, good. For a second there I was afraid you were going to say that you didn't like it.. I was shocked!!!!!!! It is an oft read favorite of mine ~ I have read the sequel only twice.

I really liked The Sparrow too, but haven't read the sequel yet.

65. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 405 pages I normally try my absolute hardest to write good reviews. I'm not naturally good at this, but I want to be, so I work hard at them, trying to give info about the book without giving away spoilers, and saying what I think. On ...

Fiction about Religion Children of God Pieces of dreams (=The Wine and the Music) Agnes of God by Leonore Fleischer Sotah The Secret Supper The Vicar of Christ A thread of Grace Heaven Can Wait The Sacrifice of Tamar

... doesn't get too carried away with endless trivia. Definitely a book to keep in mind. I checked out Centennial and The sparrow but somehow never actually got around to opening them up...sigh. Hopefully I'll try again.

The Sparrow and Children of God The Sparrow was more powerful, but The Children of God wrapped up the loose ends. Both are exceedingly good books. Anthropology, Ecology, Faith, Music, the direction that technology will take in the next few decades, all are believable (although the last ...

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell I was profoundly disturbed by the ending of this book.

"It's Friday now, mckait. :-)" yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dr. Anne and her husband, George from The Sparrow

... by Betty Smith (re-read) 67. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander 66. Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart 65. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 64. The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope 63. The Blue Hawk by Peter Dickinson 62. The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Ma ...

... to read this year. Ship Fever was a favorite for me as well; I loved that a famous scientist was a part of each story. The Sparrow and Thread of Grace were favorites too, so Dreamers of the Day was a real disappointment, but maybe my expectations were too high. We have quite a few ...

... it be? I'm not bothered by the terminology, here, like several others have been. I know the intent of the question. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. 10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for Literature? I don't feel qualified - and read much too slowly - to even guess. 1 ...

The Sparrow and Children of God by Mary Doria Russell are two of the most poignant, heart-wrenching SF novels I've read.

... brackets, even for authors. When I do that, the author shows up with a title. Let me try your list: Charles De Lint Mary Doria Russell Armistead Maupin There you go.

... as an adult? Bridges of Madison County--bleah. 15) What is the most difficult book you've ever read? The Road. The Sparrow is a close second. Both are great, but not really books you can recommend. 16) What is the most obscure Shakespeare play you've seen? Twelfth Night and it ...

... and almost all of them include time travel (e.g., To Say Nothing of the Dog along with other books by Connie Willis, The Sparrow, Kindred) but maybe that's at the heart of science fiction? Anyway, I think those books only get to me because they're 'cross-over' books.

... year? The Hummingbirds Daughter 9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be? probably The Sparrow 10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for Literature? ?no idea 11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie? The Sparrow but ...

... ear? The Hummingbirds Daughter 9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be? probably The Sparrow 10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for Literature? ?no idea 11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie? The Sparrow but only ...

... River of Doubt by Candice Millard - my one and only nonfiction on the list Killer Angels by Michael Shaara The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell This has definitely been a tough exercise. Thanks for posting it, Tad - gave me a lot to think about!

Bonnie, I liked a thread of graceso much more than Dreamers of the Day. I haven't read The Sparrow yet. Property was excellent but disturbing. My online Aussie book group's reading Someone knows my name next month and I must remember to reserve it from the library - will be good to ...

Daniel, when I read your review on Life of Pi I thought you might find The Sparrow interesting but I understand your hesitance in regard to the topic. If you do decide to read the book I'd like to read your review.

Thank for the wishes everyone. Esta1923, The Poet of Tolstoy Park sounds fascinating. imager, I'll check out The Sparrow, although the religious aspects make me a little hesitant. cheers.

I haven't read them, but, of course, (since we own the same books...Ha!), I do have one. It's The Sparrow. I heard that The Sparrow is very inspirational. Yesterday, I sadly tossed aside Lost City Radio by Daniel Alarcon, a native Peruvian novelist now living the U.S. I just couldn't get ...

... Badly, Lush Life, Cellist of Sarajevo, and A Complicated Kindness. I bought Dreamers of the Day because I love The Sparrow and A Thread of Grace by the same author. Only the last book, The Anchor of New American Short Stories was bought for its cover. I actually ignored the ...

... finish them all. The only novel not already on my list was Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell. I really loved both The Sparrow and A Thread of Grace so hoping this will be equally good. Have you read any of these? If so, what did you think?

SpongeBobFishpants - an autographed copy of The Sparrow. I'm jealous!

I read The Sparrow about 10 years ago and didn't like it very much. I do plan to re-read it again this year because sometimes you have to read the right book at the right time to enjoy it and I want to give it another chance. My opinion may change on a second reading.

... A Memoir of Survival by Norman Ollestad arrived from ecco books today. At the UBS I found an autographed copy of The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell USED! and I picked up a copy of Israel: A History by Martin Gilbert edited for spelling while typing.

Chiming in on The Sparrow. I posted comments on another thread (cannot remember which one) regarding the fact that the violence was off putting for me. The book haunted me in a negative way. Friends loved the book. I was in the minority regarding my feelings/thoughts.

#104: I am sorry you did not enjoy it more as well. The Sparrow made my list of memorable reads for last year. Do not give up on Russell, though, because she has some other very well-written books that are more inline with the historical fiction genre.

... across things like that together. I do have to say that, towards the end, as everything came together, I couldn't put The Sparrow down. I just had some trouble getting to that part!

36. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. A very intense book. I had a difficult time keeping the characters straight, and throughout the book, I kept drifting, but by the end I could see where the details that were boring me were important. I liked it okay, but not as well as I thought I ...

Many happy returns of the day and my recommendation would be The Sparrow

March was a good month for me! The three best reads: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Song Yet Sung by James McBride The BFG by Roald Dahl And two very good books: Fablehaven by Brandon Mull (Thanks, Catey!) Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters (Th ...

#43 I thought that A Case of Conscience was extremely over-rated myself, and that The Sparrow was by far a better book about the same subject.

... In reaction to this terrible setting, the main character founds a religion. I also recommend Dune, Calculating God, The Sparrow, Children of God and A Canticle for Liebowitz. I've read both the short story and novel A Case of Conscience. The short story is better. And the Russell ...

>130 - Thanks, Susan! I have to thank you too, for encouraging me to read The Sparrow. It's one of my best reads of the year. >131 - Linda - I think you'll like Fablehaven, but I have to warn you that it's the first in a series (of 4, I think). I thought I might just read the first one, but ...

Just need to jump in and say thanks for your review of The Sparrow -- a powerful work indeed :)

Lunacat - Even though I checked The Sparrow out from the library, it's definitely one that I want to buy eventually. If you figure out that millionaire thing, let me know :).

Lunacat - Yes, I definitely recommend The Sparrow. I took me a while to get it from the library. I read two of Russell's other books while I was waiting. But The Sparrow was by far the best, in my opinion.

Ahhhhh, yet another fabulous review of The Sparrow and I haven't got a copy! Even if it takes a long time for me to get round to reading the book, I like to have my hands on a copy. Maybe it will come up on BM soon. One can only hope! lol. Thanks for the reviews on both this and The BFG ...

Linda - I was so glad that you had warned me about how disturbing you found The Sparrow. I think that it helped me get through the tough spots. I was glad that the majority of the really disturbing parts were concentrated near the end. So, unlike The Road, which I found disturbing throughout, I ...

Reading your comments re. The Sparrow brought back haunting feelings. For some reason, this book impacted me on a deep level. I think I was most disturbed by the vulnerability of those who went to that planet, who were lured there because of the exquisite music, only to experience such ...

BDB - I hope you enjoy The Sparrow. I doesn't sound like my usual type of book, but it is really thought provoking. It goes much beyond a story about extraterrestrials. Stasia - Yes, I loved it! Thanks so much for insisting that I read it. It's one that I want to add to my personal library too. ...

... personal library. Russell has several other books out, some of them quite good even excellent, but nothing compares to The Sparrow, IMO, including the sequel Children of God.

Your review pushed The Sparrow onto my lookout list. I have seen many of the other recommendations but yours cinched it.

Book #23 - The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell - Finished March 12, 2009 Categories: fiction, library Wow! I had high expectations for this book. Several of you recommended it highly. So, I was prepared to be disappointed, but that didn't happen. This book lived up to (and even surpassed) my ...

I think that a writer doesn't get to define what genre he has written in. What is written speaks for itself. The Sparrow is science fiction. Children of Men is science fiction. Oryx and Crake and The Handmaid's Tale are science fiction. Even is their authors think they are not.

... if an author thinks that they have written SF, does this mean they actually have? Right now, for example, I am reading The Sparrow. It wasn't published as SF, it wasn't marketed as SF, but it's set in a future where people have detected ET's, and where a group have managed to make their way ...

... Davies Others that I would second are Independent People, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, and The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. Others I'd recommend are The Road, The Glass Castle, Water for Elephants. Good luck and have fun.

I am not an SF fan but really enjoyed The Sparrow because of the near timeframe. It was painful to read but those in my book club who persevered, were glad they did. The discussion however, was not as lively as it could have been.

... really a meditation on identity, individuality and what it means to be 'normal'. Also, while at the store, I recommended The Sparrow(as Aruba has mentioned) to a variety of book groups (again, mostly women) who were looking for something different (and most of them actually liked it). I ...

... The True Story of a Boy Wizard , His Fans and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon 4. I, Lorelei (Review) 5. The Sparrow 6. Where Am I Wearing: A Global Tour To The Countries, Factories and People That Make Our Clothes (Review) 7. Children of God 8. The Handmaid's Tale 9. ...

I so agree about a movie... Did you see the movie Mists of Avalon? TRAVESTY! The Sparrow was optioned for a film, but nothing came of it. Even Mary Russell was somewhat relieved, she said. ( She is a lovely woman, who is a very interesting and down to earth correspondent) I am sure the ...

... just not in the mood at the time? Or perhaps it was because I wanted another novel in the same vein as her first two (The Sparrow (one of my all-time desert-island favorites) and Children of God). It's been on my TBR list all along, because I mistrusted my disinterest in it and ...

I'm torn between reading The Sparrow or A Thread of Grace first, but I'm leaning towards the latter. Onto the TBR pile they both go!

I read The Sparrow as an early reader copy. A friend of mine worked at a bookstore and rec'd lots of books and passed them along to me. All these conversations bring back the memories of how haunted/disturbed I was by the book. I'm not sure why I reacted that way. It was the same feeling I ...

Stasia - Uggh, I checked again for The Sparrow at my small local library today and it was not in. I also looked at the bigger library in my county, and there are three holds on it. I wonder what has made it so popular all of a sudden. I must get my hands on it - especially since you've now ...

... books to date, and she is an excellent writer IMO, but I do not think any of her subsequent books reach the tour-de-force The Sparrow, and I do not use the term lightly.

Donna - I haven't read The Sparrow or Children of God yet, but after reading the blurbs on Amazon, I thought that they sounded much different than A Thread of Grace. I really like Russell's style though, so although I don't read much SciFi, I'm excited to try them.

I've read both The Sparrow (SciFi) and A Thread of Grace (historical fiction). It's like comparing apples and oranges, although the writing is brilliant in both books. I'm so impressed that Mary Doria Russellcan write so well in such different genres. I really need to dig out my copy of C ...

Glad you enjoyed it. I haven't read The Sparrow yet either.

... the hope, the kindness, the Thread of Grace, that many of the Italian people showed to the Jewish refugees. I haven't read The Sparrow yet, so I can't compare the two, but I really liked this one.

Porch reader I mentioned previously that The Sparrow haunted me and I could not shake it. I was deeply disturbed by it. I will, however, try to readA Thread of Grace. I very much like your description.

Another one for the tbr list!! I've already got Sparrow on it and now have A Thread of Grace there as well.

Ah, I haven't read this one. It does sound like something worth reading... Hope you get your hands on The Sparrow at some point. I'd be interested in seeing how you compare/contrast the two.

Open Secrets: A Memoir by Richard Lischer Hammer of God by Bo Giertz The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell With Open Hands by Henri J.M. Nouwen All fantastic.

... Doria Russell - Finished February 15, 2009 After I read Dreamers of the Day last month, several of you recommended The Sparrow. It wasn't in when I went to the library, so I got A Thread of Grace instead. In A Thread of Grace, Russell tells the story of the 1943-45 German ...

I have read The Sparrow and Children of God. The Sparrow, even years after my first read remains one of my favorite reads. Rich is a good adjective, as is stunning. I have read it several times. The sequel is not as good, but is worth a read. I agree that Sparrow has never gotten the ...

Our bookclub read The Sparrow and we all thought it was absolutely stunning. We couldn't say enough good things about it. I still think about it. I have the sequel but have been afraid to read it because it's been my experience that sequels are rarely as good as the first book. I haven't ...

... think deserve some hype. I'm just going to offer some fiction titles this time: Cast of Shadows by Kevin Guilfoile The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Bel Canto by Ann Patchett We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver The Sweet Hereafter by Russell Banks There are so many ...

... rilogy) Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Nova by Samuel Delany Quarantine by Greg Egan Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke (NOT including the sequels!) Stories of Y ...

Just for reference, because not everyone probably knows: The Sparrow had a sequel, Children of God.

In no particular order: Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K.Le Guin The Giver by Lois Lowry The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell House of Stairs by William Sleator

... for good. Marley was wonderful reading ~ till the end. I just don't have it in me to make it through these books. Sparrow is the books I usually suggest to answer this question. It is a fantastic read.

I've added The Sparrow to my wish list.

The Sparrow is a must read, although parts of it are emotionally difficult. Russell hit a home run out of the ballpark with that book. I love it.

Way to go! I am going to read Sparrow this summer and based on your mini review, its a must. Catey

... Russell - none of Russell's books measures up to the impossibly high standard she set for herself with her first book The Sparrow IMHO; after what was a rough start for me, though, this book really picked up steam and held its own; recommended 47. Maus by Art Spiegelman - don't ...

My first thought was I would take The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, but that may just be me trying to impress. If I was really honest I'd go with Stephen King's The Stand or Jonathan Lethem's Gun with Occasional Music #7 Call me a cynic, but any man who would talk for that long about Em ...

Linda - I'll definitely let you know what I think about The Sparrow. It sounds I may need to "debrief" with someone after reading it.

My fave book for January (so far! Three days left!) is The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. My completely unacademic review explains it all.

... Night - 7/10/09 - here but not in 999 74 Inner Reaches of Outer Space - 7/12/09 75 Harpist in the Wind - 7/13/09 76 The Sparrow - 7/17/09 77 Champagne Cocktails by Anistatia Miller - 7/15/09 - here but not in 999 78 Finger Lickin Fifteen - 7/17/09 - see also extra 999 from this ...

When you read it, I'm interested in reading your comments about The Sparrow.

OK, the library gods weren't on my side today. The Sparrow wasn't available, so I'll have to wait a while longer for that one. After reading all of your reactions, I'm excited to read it for myself. But I did get A Thread of Grace (as well as The Graveyard Book).

#48ff: There are definitely parts of The Sparrow that are upsetting and as Whisper says, visceral. I think that is part of the reason that the book is so memorable - not just because of the writing, but the reactions to it. #52: Donna, I have read Children of God as well, but IMHO, ...

This discussion about The Sparrow reminds me that I have the sequel Children of God sitting on my shelf. Any thoughts about how this one compared? Russell is an amazing writer. I adored A Thread of Grace. It is one of the few books that I would eagerly reread. I am compiling a small ...

>49 I had the same reaction to The Sparrow when I read it years ago. Sometimes you have to read certain books at the right time to enjoy them, so I plan on reading it again this year.

There are many interesting comments about The Sparrow. I read it years ago as an advance reading copy. A friend of mine raved about the book. I had a visceral reaction to the story. It upset me tremendously. I'm not sure why I had that reaction, but I know I'm in the minority.

... Grace. Stasia - I have a trip to the library planned for this afternoon (snow permitting) and will begin the hunt for The Sparrow. I remember you and others talking glowingly about it last year and now I have Suslyn's recommendation too. I wasn't sure I could get into a book about proof of ...

... The Time Machine by H. G. Wells (technically pre-science-fiction, but hey, at least you can't say it's derivative!) 2. The Sparrow by Maria Russell (this is remarkable and, truly, unusual amid the fray of the "same old thing") 3. The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson (who doesn't love nano ...

#45: I cannot believe you have not read The Sparrow yet - and after I gave it such glowing recommendations last year. Get thee gone, woman, and find the book! It is simply a must read.

I had heard that Sparrow was sci-fi. I don't read a lot of sci-fi, but I liked Russell's writing so much in Dreamers of the Day that I'll definitely give Sparrow a try. I'll let you know what I think!

Suslyn - I've heard great things about Sparrow from lots of people. Given your strong recommendation, I'll have to add it to my TBR list. Thanks!

>39 I only remember one Russell book that I've read and it was super -- Sparrow. Really fine.

Msg 8 & 9 (okay -- it took me a while to get over here). I really, really liked Sparrow. 'liked' such an inadequate word, but can't find another atm Maybe later in this thread there's more about your impressions -- or maybe you haven't gotten to it yet. btw, my first genres of choice are ...

#54 and #55 I concur. The Sparrow is one of my top ten.

I just scored a bunch of my wish list: Lost Horizon, Skin Hunger, The Sparrow, and The White Tiger. I started reading Lost Horizon right away and I am enchanted with the skilled writing. I am so glad I am a reader!

I've read The Sparrow, but I've never read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.

... The Alienist? So, I have read The Alienist, multiple times, a fabulous read if I may say so, But I have NOT read The Sparrow. Yet. Give me a couple of days. And a cookie please.

thanks for the reviews, I'm not much into fantasy, but really like some forms of sci-fi, so I'm adding Sparrow, and The Calcutta Chromosome to my TBR list

1. Fantasy/SciFi 1. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 2/09 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

For your spec. fiction category, you may have already read these, but if not, take a look at The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell or To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis--totally opposite in tone, but both favorites of mine. :-)

... Hamilton, it's the final book in the Nights Dawn trilogy and part of my 'next in series' category of 999 challenge. I loved The Sparrow. War for the Oaks was good, if you like it you should try Holly Black's Tithe or Wicked Lovely. I just finished The Player of Games by Iain M Banks ...

The Sparrow is on my list of the top books I read last year. Nothing else of hers quite measures up, IMHO, although they are still very good.

Oooh, I *loved* The Sparrow - I hope you enjoy it!

McKillip is marvellous, Lorie...everything I've read of her has been gold. Sparrow looks good too, and I've added that to my wishlist. :)

I plan on reading: War for the Oaks by Emma Bull The Book of ATrix Wolfe by Patricia A. Mckillip The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell I've heard very good things about these books, especially The Sparrow. Can't wait to get started!

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell; read this year

... Lois McMaster Bujold 7. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card * 8. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson * 9. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell *

... Black Tower by Louis Bayard - an engaging mystery and a pleasingly eccentric chief detective in Restoration-era Paris The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell - gripping off-world dramatic page-turner, plus hey! - Jesuits in space Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner - an Edwardian ...

... funny, but most of the few science fiction books I've liked have also involved time travel: To Say Nothing of the Dog, The Sparrow, Kindred...Did you pick that book because you like science fiction or...?

... of the Sun by Elias Khoury 8. Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens 9. The Fifth Head of Cerberus by Gene Wolfe 10. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 11. Hopscotch by Julio Cortázar 12. Beloved by Toni Morrison

... The lovely Bones Foreigner The Sword in the Stone Grave Peril Blood Pact The Shadow of the Wind The Sparrow I have a book called: The Last Tsar: The Life and Death of Nicholas II by Edvard Radzinsky Don't know if its the same as The Last Tsar, but I loved ...

... a lot. I've had a rather disappointing reading year. (And for the record, the book I abandoned but didn't list here was The Sparrow. I'm sure I'd have given it a high rating if I'd been able to finish it, but the hand mutilation disturbed me so much that I felt physically ill and had to put ...

... of North America - 5/27/09 6 Christianity and Evolution - 6/29/09 7 Inner Reaches of Outer Space - 7/12/09 8 The Sparrow - 7/15/09 9 The World's Wisdom by Philip Novak - 7/28/09 - my last entry here!

... and really bizarre sadomasochistic forms of death. It turned my stomach a bit, so I passed it own. >20 cmt, I like Mary Doria Russell best when she's in her science fiction mode. I thought The Sparrow and The Children of God were both excellent as well as thought provoking. Each ...

Glad the wedding went well. I have three grown boys, but no daughter in law yet! I loved The Sparrow, and thought that Children of God was a good conclusion to that story. I'll look forward to your comments. I do enjoy your quotes! Perfect for those of us who rank language and ...

... on our trip to CO for the wedding, but did manage to visit a used bookstore. I bought Children of God -- the sequel to The Sparrow, which is an example of the above-mentioned "surprise" book that I took a chance on. ->83...Thanks for reading my thread. I've gotten a bit rushed (or maybe ...

... Deryni Checkmate High Deryni The Wizard of London Fortune's Fool Reserved for the Cat One Good Knight The Sparrow Over sea, Under stone The Dark Is Rising Greenwitch Edited to make Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar books a separate category. Edited to make Marion Zim ...

I loved The Sparrow too. I am about to begin Not One Drop. I put aside Name of the Wind for now, as I had only just begun it, then suddenly had several to review. I want to devote my full attention to it when I read it, as I was enjoying it a great deal...

Morphy: I *loved* The Sparrow - hope you enjoy it! I'm reading: Leaves of Grass, from my Banned Books list Paperweight, from my Stephen Fry biblio list The Poems and Songs of Robert Burns from my library list I don't know what all the fuss is about with Whitman; I'm not really ...

... and into the story. The story is very interesting. Next up is Three Junes, Being Liberal in an Illiberal Age and The Sparrow.

I loved A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell which is about the war in northern Italy. Heartbreaking and beautiful.

Top fantasy books for me? Many of the books by Charles de Lint The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Mists of Avalon Dandelion Wine The Changeling Garden are all favorites of mine. I do love mulled wine!

... Kaye, M.M., for gift The Miracles of Santo Fico by Smith, D.L., from Italy, must read that. The Sparrow by Russell, Mary Doria, never heard about her, must try. Come to grief by Francis, Dick, for gift Break in by Francis, Dick, for gift The colour of magic by Pratchett, Te ...

I'm an infrequent re-reader. I've mentioned previously that I re-read A Prayer for Owen Meany and The Sparrow every year or two. I do other re-reads when the mood hits, which is pretty rare, since there are so many good new books always coming out. I did two re-reads this week for Banned Boo ...

... and The Lathe of Heaven; Suzy Charnas' Walk to the End of the World series; and my favorite sci-fi duo of all: Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow and Children of God.

More recent books that made me think: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Staying Alive: Real Poems For Unreal Times ed. Neil Astley

Richard, omnibus editions are a new passion of mine... okay must haves The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley The Lace reader by Brunonia Barry A Modern Herbal - By Mrs. Maud Grieve Compl ...

#30 bnbooklady After all those accolades about The Sparrow I used the touchstone to find out about it and discovered my Chicago son owns it. We are going there for Thanksgiving so I will have him put it out for me to read while we are there. It sounds intriguing and y'all on this thread ...

mckait: I've read Children of God and agree that it wasn't as good. I thought many of the questions from the end of The Sparrow were better left unanswered, and I didn't like all of the ways that Russell tied things up. I re-read The Sparrow every year or two and have given it as a gift ...

... an interesting and slightly creepy story about the B & N coffee shop...I've been tempted to do something similar with The Sparrow, but instead of forcing onto people, I just chat up anyone I see reading it, anywhere. Yay for being employed!

... that Heaven Bears-gone What the Dickens-gone My Sister's Keeper A Short History of Tractors in Ukranian-gone The Sparrow-gone All are used from the thrift store.

... ill whenever I tried. I abandoned it, leaving myself free to abandon others. So far this year I've put three aside: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. The book was beautiful, but I absolutely could not deal with the way Emilo's hands were mutilated. I'm tough to disturb, but the ...

... : Gil Ilutovich The Invincible : Stanislaw Lem Hyperion : Dan Simmons Childhood's End : Arthur C. Clarke The Sparrow : Mary Doria Russell Xenogenesis : Octavia Butler A few extras that I highly recommend: Hellspark : Janet Kagan Herland : Charlotte Perkins Gilma ...

I wanna play too! I know why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell (excellent!) A Sparrow Falls by Wilbur Smith Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott (excellent also!) The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss (my ...

My MOST re-read books are The Once and Future King, The Mists of Avalon, and The Sparrow in that order, since that is the order of my having them. My very closest friend gave me a copy of Once and Future King in 1980...or 81. My sister gave me "Mists" as soon as it came out in trade size.. ...

booklady The Sparrow is one that I reread often. The Once and Future King, Mists of Avalon are books that I have read many times. The Outlander series, I have read several times. The first book about 5 times. Black Elk Speaks and Ishmael have been reread a number of times.. I always ...

... me from reading more great books for the first time, so it's a balancing act. I re-read A Prayer for Owen Meany and The Sparrow every year or two. I re-read The Great Gatsby and The Catcher in the Rye about once a year. I've already started thinking about my reading resolution ...

... Peter Watts - Very Dark (follow up was meh, and haven't yet read the 2 volume final book (evil publisher)) The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Faded Sun by C.J. Cherryh (Omnibus) In terms of Meaney's darkness: The complaints I have heard were about the SF series, where I ...

I loved Shadow of the Wind and Sparrow, Thread of Grace and am waiting for her current one Dreamers of the Day to go into paper (December I think). Hated Confederacy of Dunces, thought the whole idea was to make fun of a poor, ill-educated, retarded person with no resources. I had ...

The Sparrow is on my TBR pile...and i do mean pile......maybe I should move it up! as to my favorite books of all time...hmmmmm...i will have to give that some thought...so many books...

... particular order: The Once and Future King by T.H. White The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Birth House by Ami McKay The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry Outlander by Diana Gabaldon ETA stuff

A Thread of Grace did not engage me either. I absolutely adored The Sparrow, loved Children of God. I too/ will read anything Mary Doria Russell. Although, I understand her next will be a western. She wants to write one in every genre. I loved loved loved every word of The Lace Reader. ...

... and (fortunately) prolific storytellers! >197 rdurick, A Thread of Grace was a very different kind of read from The Sparrow and Children of God but I was, in the end, very glad to have met these characters. I want to find some genziano now, after reading the description of ...

... good folk. Thank you for participating. I wish I could be as optimistic as you. 192> bnbooklady, I was enamored of The Sparrow and Children of God. Another member of our book group, a woman of good judgment who typically is uninterested in science fiction, liked them so much that she ...

rdurick: how do you like A Thread of Grace? I loved The Sparrow and was hoping this one would be as compelling and unputdownable, but I was a bit disappointed. The story was wonderful and touching, but something about it just didn't work for me. mckait: I completely see what you mean about ...

... you were looking. If not, I can work on a closer reading the novels I've cited above. I found Emilio the priest from The Sparrow rather interesting on a variety of levels. He has to confront his masculinity (in more ways than one), his belief system, and the patriarchal male church. But ...

... The Road which I also read this quarter. The Namesake, byJhumpa Lahiri Unaccustomed Earth also by Lahiri The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, and Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, which I loved probably more than I shoud.

Random thoughts on book sins: I loaned my copy of The Sparrow to a fellow book club member and it was returned in terrible shape. She offered to replace it, but I just said no because I know she doesn't have much money. But I won't lend any of my books out to bookclub members again. I ...

Thanks for the recommendation. I was haunted by The Sparrow I'll put Dreamers of the Day on my list to be read.

... some that would appeal to readers-who-don't-read-science-fiction (i.e. Children of Men, Herland, Never Let Me Go, The Sparrow, The Speed of Dark, and The Secret {by Eva Hoffman, no touchstone}).

Hi I simply want to say I'm enjoying the posts regarding The Sparrow. A friend gave this book to me when it was first published. She raved about it. After reading all the comments re. this book, I think I'll re-read it. I remember being somewhat bothered by the graphic nature. I'll try to ...

#125, 129, et al. ~ Just have to jump in to praise The Sparrow, one of the most inspiring (notwithstanding its "troubling" aspects) and compelling novels I've ever read. I've reread it a few times and even bought extra copies to pass out to friends, most of whom were as enthusiastic as me about ...

I definitely agree with you, it's going to be just about impossible to top The Sparrow. One of my top 10 of all time novels.

I liked Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow but didn't you think the ending was derivative of the H.G. Wells' ending to The Time Machine? I read Children of God but didn't like it. I thought the book was an obvious afterthought prompted by the popularity of The Sparrow. Haven't ...

#135 I thought Girl with a Pearl Earring was just beautiful to read. Chiming in about The Sparrow, I just finished it a few weeks ago and also really liked it and will now read anything of Mary Doria Russell's I just finished The Forgery of Venus by Michael Gruber, and have ...

#125 -- alaska, I thought that The Sparrow was extraordinary. Definitely, as you say, troubling, and I'm intrigued that Dreamers of the Day is as unrelenting in its questioning. Have you read Children of God? I'm interested to hear opinions on it, because I keep looking at it but have yet to ...

... just glad I did not hurt myself during the move. While I enjoy Russell's other books, none of them have come close to The Sparrow IMHO. There is another book of hers that I have yet to read, A Thread of Grace, but I really am not holding out much hope that it will beat The Sparrow.

... take the following with a grain of salt: as far as I can tell, story-wise/genre-wise, this book has little in common with The Sparrow. This has been a not-infrequent complaint about the former. As you probably remember, The Sparrow is typically put in the sci-fi genre (but really, its a ...

Hi alaskabookworm I read The Sparrow when it was first published. I remember it was a very spiritual, but disturbing book to me. Thanks for the info. re. Dreamers of the Day Is this a new book of hers?

I'm currently working Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell. I loved The Sparrow, also by Russell; it was my favorite book of 2007. This one is distinctly different. Much more historical fiction, with the setting in 1920-ish Cairo. It explores British influence upon the Post WWI ...

... was a mess for about a month before I finally got it (mostly) put away. BTW, I agree that Dreamers of the Day is no The Sparrow, but I did enjoy it a lot when I read it a few weeks ago.

... Shadow by Minette Walters - another LT recommendation Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell - I had read The Sparrow and Children of God by the same author, so decided to give this one a try as well

... by J.D. Robb 196. Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell - none of her subsequent books have lived up to The Sparrow, IMHO, although they are worth reading 197. The Chameleon's Shadow by Minette Walters 198. April 4, 1968 by Michael Eric Dyson - nonfiction ...

... and have joined? 161: rdurick Re: Mary Doria Russell She is has never written a bad book. Read The Sparrow and fall in love.. with a book, I promise!

Late to the conversation. Just found Library thing by search for Catholic Science Fiction. I am currently reading The Sparrow. Wow. I basically am hit over the head with the fact that a good science fiction novel about first contact can be joined with my Catholic point of view. So I decide to ...

I loved The Sparrow! I am reading A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby - am really liking it.

I read The year of Living Biblically earlier this year and loved it. I am reading The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell and listening in my car to The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl.

12- the sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 13- into the wild by Jon Krakauer 14- Blood Meridian, or, The Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy 15- The mapmaker's Opera by Bea Gonzalez 16- Life and Times of Michael K by J. M. Coetzee 17- Survival of the Fittest ...

oh how I envy you! WOW! What a very impressive list. I note that you read The Sparrow. I read this when it was first published. It haunted me and while I liked it, I also found it deeply disturbing. Thanks for all posting all the neat books you have read.

31. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell = 408 pages. A re-read from about. hmm...8 or 9 years ago? Great book. Still working on those psalms. That's a heavy academia book so its taking awhile. Finished 06/02/08

... The Analyst by John Katzenbach Panama by Eric Zencey The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox

... to read it every Christmas even on a desert island Bel Canto by Ann Patchett Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell The Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox by Barry Hughart The Arctic Grail by Pierre Berton A Gentle Madness ...

... Maladies. I'm still reading Middlemarch, I believe I will finish The Road today (also loving), and I just picked up The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell to start when The Road is done. I have had a couple of weeks of really good books, no clunkers yet in May.

... rbert Snow crash by Neal Stephenson The handmaid's tale by Margaret Atwood Out of the silent planet by C. S. Lewis The sparrow by Mary Doria Russell A wrinkle in time by Madeleine L'Engle That hideous strength : a modern fairy-tale for grown-ups by C. S. Lewis Speaker for the ...

Blish's A Case of Conscience comes to mind, as does The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell; the latter is much more recent, and clearly influenced by the former, so I'd read the older one first. Zelazny's Creatures of Light and Darkness may qualify, if Lord of Light does, but it's been long ...

#61 seitherin The Sparrow is one of the best books I've ever read - hope you like it!

... so I soothed myself by buying a different book or six. They are: Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell The Curse of the Holy Pail by Sue Ann Jaffarian Thugs and Kisses by Sue Ann Jaffarian Belle Ruin by Martha Grimes Th ...

... to follow in one episode 2. This is actually a kind of formula sometimes used in novels to create suspense. Did you read The Sparrow? or Greg Bear's Darwin's Radio? Tory seems to be the antithesis to many of the Cylons. While many of them long to be more human, she becomes less. All ...

... an idea of what had happened, which made me want to read the book through to the end to see 'why' it happened (rather like The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell). How brave of you to face us all so publicly! I look forward to your next publication with interest.

... Pagan in Exile by Catherine Jinks - young adult book 138. Children of God by Mary Doria Russell - sequel to The Sparrow, but while still good, not up to it in quality 139. Loyalty in Death by J.D. Robb - still working my way through the series 140. The Shadow of the W ...

... Children of God by Mary Doria Russell. I find myself much less attached or interested in the plot of this sequel to The Sparrow. I am curious about the outcome for some of the characters from the first book, so I will finish it. I am listening to Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje ...

It's a little hard to choose because I've been reading some great books in the last few months, but I guess I'd have to say The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell was the best.

I am reading Children of God, by Mary Doria Russell, the sequel to The Sparrow. I am listening to Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje.

#193: I just finished Children of God last night and while it is still very good, I thought The Sparrow was better. I will be interested in seeing what you think. Sounds like you had a great reading vacation! I am soooo jealous!

... McCall Smith and I am currently on my second journey to the planet of Rakhat in Children of God, the sequel to The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell.

... London, Sacred Time by Ursula Hegi, and The Piano Teacher by Elfriede Jelinek. I just started the sequel to The Sparrow, Children of God by Mary Doria Russell, and began listening to Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje on audiobook.

I love the dark aspects of some stories. The Sparrow as previously mentioned, of course, is hauntingly beautiful-sad. American Psycho is just dark in that dirty, grimy, serial killer kind of way. I really enjoyed it, but maybe that's my fascination with finding books that manage to express ...

The Sparrow was pretty dark, but I tend to enjoy dark, to a certain extent. However, even though I *love* Stephen King's novels, his short stories can really bother me. The worst one for me has been The Long Walk - I couldn't stop thinking about it for *months* after I finished it; that's how ...

13: White Noise by Don DeLillo (It's funny that avaland mentioned The Sparrow being very nineties -- this book was totally '80's -- see the end of the review -- and I noticed it right away. Perhaps it's a matter of distance?) Normally I am not a fan of postmodern fiction. I find that most ...

Tough one, as march was a very good reading month for me. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy The Air We Breathe by Andrea Barrett okay....I'm going to cheat and add a fourth......The Black Book by Orhan Pamuk

I finished The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. I enjoyed it, but certainly had to have a dictionary close at hand in some parts. I plan to start The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wund which was recommended by an LT member

23. Children of God by Mary Doria Russell This is the sequel to The Sparrow, which I read earlier in the year. I thought this book was more interesting, and more nuanced. It was a little bit less dark, although still pretty tragic. I liked learning more about the alien characters, ...

... (ARC) 10. The Air We Breathe - Andrea Barrett 11. The Maytrees - Annie Dillard* 12. Persuasion - Jane Austen 13. The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell 14. Gifted - Nikita Lalwani 15. A Dangerous Age - Ellen Gilchrist (ARC) 16. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (This one took 2 months!) ...

... - seller 43. The Best of Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, ed. by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant - library 44. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell - seller 45. Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland - library 46. TV Classics: Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Anne Billson - ...

The Sparrow is quite an exceptional book, but its sequel Children of God wasn't nearly as good, a real disappointment.

I am currently reading The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. I just had to see what all the talk was about. I am enjoying it thoroughly. I am 63 years old and this is my first sci/fi novel ever. I was skeptical at first, but I am enjoying every chapter. I read some reviews and found some that ...

This group has been pretty quiet. I guess maybe all the nerdfighters are busy on the ning. I really enjoyed The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. It's a strange combination of religion and science fiction, two sizable interests of mine. It tells the story of a Jesuit mission to Alpha Centauri ...

... two youth books to tie for... #3 Diary of A Wimpy Kid and Rodrick Rules. #13 alcottacre: The Terror and The Sparrow were both in my top five reads of 2007.

... the Gallic Wars by Julius Caesar 3. Out by Natsuo Kirino I won't say that Dreamers of the Day is as good as The Sparrow, but it comes close and was a delightful read!

... Pope's Ceiling by Ross King Fiction: 1. The Brontes Went to Woolworth's by Rachel Ferguson 2. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 3. The Terror by Dan Simmons . . . and the month is not even over yet! *Touchstones seem to be flaky again today

I recently had to abandon The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell because I just couldn't deal with the way the main character was mutilated. I'm also pretty sure I'll never read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See because of the footbinding.

... for the first quarter, in no particular order: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (why no touchstone?!) The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Children of God by Mary Doria Russell A thousand splendid suns by Khaled Hosseini The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian ...

I just finished The Sparrow last week and I entirely understand why you abandoned it! I can hardly look at my own hands without getting squeamish thinking about Emilio's, and I have to say that if you found it disturbing at 200 pages then you made a good call by not finishing it because it made ...

... my garden. Thought that portion of the novel was interesting.I already have all the others that are referred to. I acquired The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell and plan to begin that next. I am so dense! I did not realize this was a science fiction novel. Oh well, never read one before. This ...

... too, so I am reading Children of God by Mary Doria Russell. Very good, although dark. It's more nuanced than The Sparrow, which makes sense, as the characters have had more time to understand the situation, and make new discoveries about themselves and their societies. Fascinating ...

***WARNING: SOME SPOILERS BELOW*** My thoughts on The Sparrow, x-posted from my reading list: When an astronomer discovers intelligent life in space, the Jesuits launch a mission to make first contact. I've abandoned a lot of books in my time. Usually, it's because they bore me. ...

***WARNING: SOME SPOILERS BELOW*** 44. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell - seller When an astronomer discovers intelligent life in space, the Jesuits launch a mission to make first contact. I've abandoned a lot of books in my time. Usually, it's because they bore me. The ...

Replay by Ken Grimwood The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell You may be sensing a trend here, in that these books could be called speculative fiction. But I've read all three in NON-science fiction book groups, and they generated a TON of ...

I finished The Sparrow and now I'm racing through Floor Sample Julia Cameron's (author of The Artist's Way) autobiography. What an interesting life she's had. I didn't know she was married to Martin Scorsese, or that she was a recovered alcoholic and drug addict. Knowing that now I can see ...

... irovsky The Air We Breathe by Andrea Barrett The Black Book by Orhan Pamuk Intrusions by Ursula Hegi The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Non-Fiction: The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

Good example, avaland, with Mary Doria Russell. I couldn't believe how many people died in The Sparrow, even though I knew it was a tragedy. And I would say she was pretty attached to those characters--she drew them well enough to make it a real tragedy when they died.

... Jacobs The New Kings of Nonfiction by Ira Glass Letters to Alice on First Reading Jane Austen by Fay Weldon and The Sparrow by May Doria Russell

... s The New Kings of Nonfiction by Ira Glass Letters to Alice on First Reading Jane Austen by Fay Weldon and The Sparrow by May Doria Russell

I plan on starting The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell either tonight or tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it, given all the hype on here of late.

... A great mix of styles and I loved the dark and sometimes comic aspects of the stories. Today I completed two books: The sparrow by Mary Doria Russell and Story of a girl by Sara Zarr. I whipped through Story of a girl in one sitting and thought it was quite good, but not as good as I ...

... Smith 3. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson 4. Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee 5. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 6. The Grand Complication by Allen Kurzweil 7. The Straight and Narrow Path by Honor Tracy 8. Ella Minnow Pea by Mar ...

I'm about half way through The Sparrow after all the rave reviews it was getting in last week's thread. I'm loving it. After that I have: The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters which I haven't seen too many good reviews for, but I couldn't resist the title. and The Meaning of Night: A Confe ...

... by Kay Hooper - my BC book for this week 85. The Serpent on the Crown by Elizabeth Peters - audiobook 86. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell - excellent 87. Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling by Ross King - nonfiction; very good book

I just started The Sparrow after reading all these reccommendations. I had never heard of it before. So far I'm loving it! I'm already making a mental list of people I should send copies.

I think I want to savor The Sparrow for a while before attempting the sequel, but it is great to hear the variety of opinions out there. Thanks!

Medellia12, Enjoy The Sparrow! I completely agree about savoring favorite authors versus gorging on them! (I must be hungry). I have two more Ursula Hegi novels on my TBR pile. I have read Snow , My Name is Red, and Istanbul by Pamuk. I recently finished The Black Book and ...

... I've loved, but only a few could I read over and over again without getting tired of them (or, worse, being disappointed). The Sparrow, The Sunne in Splendour, Lonesome Dove, and The Stand are four that would pass the test. In fact, I've already read The Sparrow and The Stand more than ...

I agree that The Sparrow was better than Children of God, In fact it is one of my top three favorite books, but I was glad to read the sequel.. and I did enjoy it. If you visit the authors website, you will see that she wants to try books in all different genre, and next is a western. It ...

... of the field, to "ease them in" and to make them say "oh! maybe there IS something to all this stuff...." So: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Children of God by Mary Doria Russell The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger Replay by Ken Grimwood Sorry, that's only ...

Twice.

Well, heck! I guess I was too impatient. Sorry.

... that Children of God does not quite reach the memorability and excellence of the character development and storyline of The Sparrow, I was not disappointed in the sequel and, in fact, upon reflection, thought it was a necessary philosophical (or perhaps I should say theological) follow up to ...

#168 I think you will find Children of God a much weaker novel. Obviously an after thought because the Sparrow was so popular. As a matter of fact I think the end of the Sparrow owes something to H.G. Wells' ending in The Time Machine. For all that, Sparrow was excellent.

#167 hemlokgang: I just finished The Sparrow yesterday and liked it so much I went to the library and checked out its sequel, Children of God.

I just got a copy of The Sparrow--you've inspired me to pick it up soon. Have you read other books by Orhan Pamuk? I've read Snow (which I thought fantastic) and My Name is Red, and I have The Black Book and The New Life on my shelves. I find it tempting to zip through the latter two, ...

... I have misplaced my card!): The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and Children of God, the sequel to The Sparrow, by Maria Doria Russell.

I couldn't put Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow down once I started it. Wonderful! Now I am starting Jon Krakauer's Into The Wild.

After a sojourn to Italy and the planet of Rakhat in Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow, I now depart for an Alaskan experience in Jon Krakauer's Into The Wild.

Finished The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. I could hardly put it down. Great characters and a mesmerizing plot.

... Edwards moved into a rented house in Old San Juan, eight flights of stairs up the hill from the clinic Anne took over." The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

#96 karenmarie: I have not yet started either The Sparrow or Special Topics in Calamity Physics yet, but I am looking forward to diving in to them both! Right now, I am tackling Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling.

... of Upstate New York with Andrea Barrett's The Air We Breathe and am on my way out of this world with Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow.

... knowledge and weave a good plot with engaging characters has reeled me in. Read it in 24 hours. I am starting The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell.

... it on another thread.... perhaps you?... anyway I'm inspired to get all Georgette Heyer's books. Noted that you have The Sparrow and Special Topics on your agenda - I found both of them wonderful.

#66 Oh, Alcottacre ~ The Sparrow is one of my all-time favorites! Hope you enjoy it. :)

... I suggest The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. And there's always the "SF that isn't marketed as SF", such as The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood - I think many mainstream readers struggle as much with the thought they're actually ...

... rike> Ex Libris, Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman Girls Like You by Paul Sheehan •Religious Themes The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Calculating God by Robert J. Sawyer To Reign in Hell: A Novel by Steven Brust Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis ...

... Zimmer Bradley The Once and Future King by T.H White Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell These are my most re-read in order of how many times.. I think I have read Mists about 12 times. Once and Future about the same? ...

... of current and classic writers (not that I don't have an opinion, just no time to elaborate right now)... I finished The Sparrow, and really enjoyed it. I really liked the way Russell demonstrates that encountering an alien society requires taking in so much information that ...

I loved the Sparrow back in '96 when it first came out. I have often wondered how it reads now, more than 10 years after publication. I tend to think of it as very 90's.

Ninth of 2008: The Sparrow by Maria Doria Russell Another library sale find, this novel is one of the best science fiction pieces I've read (although, admittedly, I am more versed in the fantasy side of things). The non-chronological form engaged me as a reader and contributed to the steadily ...

14. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell This book was about religion as much as it was about first contact with an alien species. It was also about how difficult first contact situations are, and how much information you need to absorb very quickly, and how easy it is to get everything ...

I am reading Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow now--so far, it is really good. I have had this on the TBR shelf for awhile now, I am glad I picked it up.

Long list, starting in grade school: Charlotte's Web, Old Yeller, Lassie Come Home, but later: The Sparrow, Corelli's Mandolin, and Good Dog. Stay The Sparrow had me beside myself for a long time. Just tragic.

I'll take a shot in the dark and guess it's The Sparrow, even though I've never read it, because I know it involves priests.

I just finished The James Tiptree Award Anthology 3 today. Some excellent ideas in there. Now I am reading The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. As for recommendations, I would also have to say that it depends on the person, but if pressed, these are my top 5 to recommend: The Gate to ...

... Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 6. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel * 7. A Passage to India by E. M. Forster 8. Sparrow: A Novel by Giovanni Verg

... by Judith McNaught The Light on Synanon by Dave Mitchell The Diary of Alice James by Leon Edel The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Red Earth and Pouring Rain by Vikram Chandra Interred with Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell A Crack in the Edg ...

I find the following to all be both literary and non-cliched: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, followed by her Children of God. Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents (not 100% sure which of those goes first -- but it's a duology, not a never-ending ...

The Sparrow captured my church's book group's attention. Most of the folk went on to read its sequel so that we could talk about it all at once. At least one has leapt on Russell's more recent work. The discussion did not run out of steam. We discussed The Last of the Mohicans in Janua ...

... do. Based on our experience with The Inheritance of Loss I would give it a pass. No one liked it. Do Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow or When I lived in Modern Times instead. Those books were great group reads.

Storeetllr, I have wondered how The Sparrow might fare in a reread. While it's themes are timeless it is still very much a book of the 90s. I suppose I will not find out, there are just too many books on my TBR pile and, well, they keep publishing new ones!

Hi, alaskabookworm ~ The Sparrow? Oh, yes! One of my favorite books ever! I think it may be time for a reread. :)

... by Pat Frank #3 Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card #2 A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini #1 The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell For the briefest of snippets regarding WHY I chose these five, see: http://alaskabookworm.blogspot.com/2008/01/top-five-2007-read ...

Meh. I don't read much science fiction. Does The Sparrow count? I know y'all are way past it, but I just wanted to say that the toaster we use every day is a 1949 Toastmaster with lovely Art Deco lines. We collect toasters, and it is one of the few that still works. TPBM wonders why ...

... intrusions, the worst thing I've done all three by Usula Hegi hope and other dangerous pursuits by Laila Lalami the sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

... about the book. I really liked it, but at the same time felt it wasn't quite what I wanted it to be. (I want to read The Sparrow and Children of God, though, because of everyone's comparisons. I'd never heard of this author before, but even with her faults in this book, I like her.) I ...

... review. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it the way I loved The Sparrow and Children of God.

... with Mrs. Dalloway) A Christmas Memory (A short story) To Kill a Mockingbird Their Eyes were Watching God The Sparrow Middlesex The House of the Spirits Song of Solomon You have a terrific list on this page, to my way of thinking! (Sorry, no touchstones loading at ...

I just finished my first book review (ever!), on Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell. Here's the link: http://www.librarything.com/work/3500233/reviews/25184056 -Erin :) PS- Comments/suggestions on writing and style would be graciously accepted!

... Shannon Hale 8. Into the volcano by Don Wood Just for Fun category 1. The sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 2. Children of God by Mary Doria Russell 3. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett 4. How ...

... dwinter 5. David Lodge--Changing Places 6. Arturo Perez-Reverte--The Flanders Panel? 7. Mary Doria Russell--The Sparrow 8. Robert Liparulo--Germ 6. General/Popular Fiction 1. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro 2. My Sister's Keep ...

... Lewis That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover Foreigner by C.J. Cherryh The Collected Short Stories ...

I rec'd my early reviewers copy of Mary Doria Russell's new book this week. Thought other reviewers might want to be on the look out with holiday mail and packages being what they are. So far in the early pages, I'm not disappointed with the author or story. Now if only someone else around ...

I liked The Sparrow very much! I have the sequel, Children of God, to read next.

Did you like The Sparrow? I thought it was such an interesting proposition for the Catholic Church to sponsor a voyage to meet aliens. Great characters too. I hope you enjoyed it!

86. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, 405 pages 87. Cauldron by Jack McDevitt, 373 pages **wrong touchstone for the McDevitt book**

... Eifelheim by Michael Flynn and absolutely loved it. I also highly recommend the two Mary Doria Russell books The Sparrow and Children of God; they're devastating but profound. A Canticle for Leibowitz is next on my list, and this discussion is giving me lots more ideas. Thanks ...

... Eifelheim by Michael Flynn and absolutely loved it. I also highly recommend the two Mary Doria Russell books The Sparrow and Children of God; they're devastating but profound. Canticle for Leibowizt is next on my list, and this discussion is giving me lots more ideas. Thanks ...

Lonesome Dove by McMurtry pretty much tops my list for sheer storytelling wonder, although The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell and The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman are close seconds. Of course, there's also Gate to Women's Country and Dune that sussabmax mentioned, and ...

... Alexander Frater High fidelity by Nick Hornby Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller Children of God by Mary Doria Russell The crucible : a play in four acts by Arthur Miller Tell them who I am : the lives of homeless women by Elliot Liebow Rat bastards : ...

... excited to have been chosen to receive the new Mary Doria Russell book. My bookclub just finished reading/discussing The Sparrow and we're set to do the sequel Children of God next month, so it should be really interesting. :) I guess I just have to hope that they don't send it too ...

... to receive LOL My heart was set on the Mary Doria Russell as I've read three of her books and loved them--particularly the Sparrow but i'm happy to have snagged the stefan block, The Story of Forgetting I'll buy the new Russell anyway, and probably read it with my book group since ...

... the first batch of November books. I DID receive a notice for this second batch -- and I got Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell.

I got Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell as well. I'm definitely looking forward to it.

I also am getting Dreamers of the Day. Not only do I love The Sparrow and Children of God and therefore am looking forward to this - I'm half Lebanese and am so thrilled about this book. Can't wait to read and review. Thanks LT!

I am very excited to receive Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell too! I have read her The Sparrow and A Thread of Grace, and I am really looking forward to her latest book!

I got Dreamers of the Day, and I'm really excited about it. I've read two books of hers, The Sparrow and Children of God. Two VERY thought-provoking books. And, I've actually been to Cairo, where this book is set, so I'm very much looking forward to reading it and reviewing it.

... always be willing to listen to knew questions. God has not and cannot be put in a box, other wise God is not God. I loved the sparrow. Christ the Lord out of Egypt would be intriguing just because it says a lot about Anne Rice, the author to switch and write something like that. Shadow of ...

... Blue Hawk by Peter Dickinson and Divide and Rule by Jan Mark. Adult novels can be more directly challenging, such as The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell or Knowledge of Angels by Jill Paton Walsh.

... story next. From what I hear about this book, it sounds appropriate for the season. :) After that I must move on to The Sparrow which is my bookclub selection for November -- it's long and my reading time is limited so I better start it soon.

22 mamajoan, You're in for a treat! The Sparrow is a terrific book club book. I got a non-genre book club to read it once -- and they all went out on their own to read the follow-up Children of God! I'd call that an unqualified success!

... Moon. It's definitely interesting although I find the main character really irritating. Next up will probably be The Sparrow which I'm kind of embarrassed to admit I haven't read -- have had it sitting on my shelf since I heard Mary Doria Russell give a talk at Worldcon ages ago. I ...

... stuff. And last but not least, although she probably may not write more science fiction, Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow and Children of God are not to be missed.

Yes, I have. I have a signed copy of The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. She was a fascinating speaker, as well. The person below me rides a bicycle.

... and dragons) The Railway Man by Eric Lomax (uncle survived Changi) Decoupage by Nerida Singleton (my hobby) The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell/Darwin's Radio by Greg Bear (interest in speculative evolution) Title: This is so difficult because I mostly read by ...

... at college and had a fantastic experience there (#43: Ender's Game and it's sequels fall into this category too). The Sparrow, as mentioned here earlier too, is another fond-memory-holder for me. I read it (and was really touched by it) during a turning point in my life (professionally ...

... adventure and a desire to travel to foreign lands and meet lots of new people and have lots of interesting experiences. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell - read at a critical juncture in my life, when I was feeling the need of a spiritual connection with God but wasn't sure quite how to ...

At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O'Brien Birdy by William Wharton The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernieres I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Book number 200 was an autographed copy of The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. Number 201 was an autographed copy of Children of God by the same author. Now I've moved into using the paid lifetime account! Whoo Hoo!

The Sunne in Splendour and the Welsh trilogy by Sharon Kay Penman if you're into historical novels. The Sparrow and its sequel Children of God by Mary Doria Russell; The Sparrow is one of my all-time desert-island favorites. The Heaven Tree trilogy by Edith Pargeter (aka Elli ...

... and I have Singer in the Snow on the pile of books next to my bed to be read in the next couple of weeks. I loved The Sparrow (one of my favorite novels ever) and Children of God (a satisfying conclusion to the story). I haven't read MDR's latest but it's on my TBR list. Sharo ...

16. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell The Arabian Nights Geisha: A Life by Mineko Iwasaki Giants in the Earth by O. E. Rolvaag The Know-it-All by A.J. Jacobs Currently reading: Shogun by James Clavell and I'm certain it is destined to be on my all-time favorites ...

... I bought ten TPBs and added three regular pbs to my mother's bag: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (an ARC) The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Master & Commander by Patrick O'Brien Sula by Toni Morrison Bangkok 8 by Jorhn Burdett An Earthly Knight by J ...

... (and when I'm giving them free reader's copies). Of newer women authors (last 15 years or so) they read Mary Doria Russell (The Sparrow), Kage Baker (Garden of Iden), Kay Kenyon (Maximum Light), and Karen Traviss (City of Pearl) come to mind as authors they read (on their own) and reported ...

... The trade in our bookstore shelved in mainstream, the mass market in SF. It should be noted that Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow is also a Ballantine book. I should also mention here that sometimes where a book goes depends on where most of the author's other books are; one tries to keep ...

... she says, "It's their world. We just live in it." Look for Dreamers of the Day in early 2008. Mary is the author of The Sparrow, Children of God, and A Thread of Grace. I will read anything the woman writes...

I'm reading The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell as well as Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Patton. The Sparrow is compelling and I keep wanting to get back to it, but have to get Cry ... read by Tuesday for a book group! I've got The Waterborn by Greg Keyes on my to read shelf ...

Great review Ann! I'm moving The Sparrow right up my list.

I've just read The Sparrow and loved it. My review is on my blog at http://patternings.typepad.com/patternings/2007/03/the_sparrow.html

... read any of his work yet. I've got The Anubis Gates and Declare. Mary Doria Russell is another one. I've got The Sparrow, but haven't yet read it. By the way, I'm Scott, and it's nice to meet you.

storeetlr: Thanks for the recommendations! I read The Sparrow (loved it) and the Saylor mysteries. Don't know Maddox. Will have to try him. And yes, it's my first time in Italy, although not my first in Europe. For my 50th birthay --ouch-- my husband is taking me to Rome for a whole ...

... writes in a slightly more serious vein. As for a non-mystery, I can't remember for sure, but haven't you mentioned reading The Sparrow? If not, I recommend it for its wonderful sketches of modern Rome, as well as the story itself. Also recommend the Masters of Rome series by Colleen McCollo ...

Mark me down as another fan of The Sparrow. Of course, I'm as much a fan of Literary Fiction as SF/Fantasy. I often list as my two favorite novels: Les Miserables and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. As to television productions of literary novels, I think primarily of Masterpiece Theate ...

... to be found, they're probably on LT:-) 31 bluetyson, well, I'm not going to try to educate you on the attributes of The Sparrow, we can agree to disagree. 29 I, too, have moved away from reading a lot of SF, perhaps for the same reasons. I started Dan Simmons Ilium but tossed it ...

12 Avaland, I did fail to find any ideas in The Sparrow, especially none even remotely close to the 'great sf novel sense'. Poorly cobbled together crew screws up, dumb western religion problems included. Or even suckers answer alien singing. All done decades before. 28 I think ...

... question is why it is so important that these writers acknowledge some connection? I must disagree with you #7, The Sparrow is a phenomenal book and while it may not be scientifically accurate, it is as much a novel of ideas as any other great SF novel. Mary Doria Russell has never ...

... of books. To put that more plainly, if, as mdbenoit mentions, the chances are higher that I get something crappy like The Sparrow and not Sirius then it is not worth the effort of even thinking about doing.

... but for those who are as frustrated with the likes of Margaret Atwood as me, or who hated Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow, it's two interesting takes that dovetail.

... the story is self-contained and not setting things up which will be dealt with in future books. As far as I can remember The Sparrow was originally written as a stand-alone.

... Octavia Butler Islands in the Net Bruce Sterling Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell Susanna Clarke the Sparrow Mary Doria Russell oops there is a sequel. Dhalgren Samuel R. Delany

#45 indeed it's the one by Mary Doria Russell, I liked The Sparrow and started Children of God but didn't quite get into it. I read a lot of Fantasy as well as some romances, most of what's there is fantasy at the moment, some non-fiction, a few Mills & Boon (Harlequin's UK variant) ...

... fun!!! Children of God by Mary Doria Russell? If so, I read that and loved it, though not quite as much as I loved The Sparrow, which is the first book of the two-book series. I'd give Children 4-1/2 stars and Sparrow 5. Other than that, I don't recognize any of your TBR books.

... have to read it) in high school. *picture me gagging at the thought of that book even now, 40 years after the fact* The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell because it made me think about God and faith and the unbearably tragic losses of life in an entirely different way. The Story of Sa ...

... Series, Susan R. Matthews 27. Perdido Street Station, China Mieville 28. Salt, Adam Roberts 29. The Sparrow, Mary Doria Russell 30. The Lensman Series, E.E. 'Doc' Smith 31. In The Drift, Michael Swanwick 32. Red Genesis, S.C. Sykes 33. Snow Q ...

... is the love story between a scientist and a praying mantis-like female, and his struggle to survive in an unfriendly world. The Sparrow and Children of God is one man's search for the divine and his struggle to keep believing in God in the face of immense suffering.Old Man's War by John Sca ...

The Sparrow and Children of God by Mary Doria Russell

I'm with you, there, about The Sparrow and Children of God. These two books just blew me away. I'm also planning on reading them again, very soon.

Without being able to be too specific, I found The Sparrow to be a challenge, possibly because it struck chords that go back a long way for me. Also, the very real image of degradation and despair illustrated in the excellent book Disgrace challenged whatever remained of ...

#8 and #61 ~ The Sparrow and Children of God were two of the best novels I've ever read. I've already reread The Sparrow twice, and plan to read it and Children again soon. (After finishing a few "must reads" from the TBR list.) #61 ~ I avoided Thread of Grace because the premise was so ...

... it is a novel it is based on real events. My local RL fiction book read this, and liked her so much that we then did The Sparrow, which is SF, and also fantastic. I had already read The Sparrow and Children of God, so was able to suggest the first book to the group. I am sure when ...

Several! Let's see if I can come up with a few: Grass by Sheri Tepper, and Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, which outline two possible terribly disastrous and apparently innocent ways to misjudge a different culture, based on your own experience in your own culture. Lucifer's Hammer ...

Hi, MDBenoit ~ I agree with you on The Sparrow and Children of God. Haven't read the others, though I've heard good things about a few of the authors. Loved Moore's Lamb; not sci-fi, but one of the funniest novels I've ever read. Have you read any Sheri Tepper or Louise Marley?

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Children of God by Mary Doria Russell In the Palace of Repose by Holly Phillips Spin by Robert Charles Wilson Perdido Street Station by China Mieville A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore (weird fiction) Old Man's War by Joh ...

... novel; there are other science fiction stories that are book-group friendly (groups not accustomed to reading SF): like The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell (a first contact novel) or Sarah Canary by Karen Joy Fowler (also a first contact novel but also talks about perceptions) or Kindred ...

The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell Children of God by Mary Doria Russell A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore Spin by Robert Charles Wilson In the Palace of Repose by Holly Phillips

The author that blew me away recently is Mary Doria Russell. Someone recommended The Sparrow to me, and I always like discovering new authors, so I gave her a try. She is absolutely fantastic. Her sequel, Children of God is even better, although you can't really read the second without ...

... reading The Screwtape Letters was superb. Barbara Rosenblatt is also a superb reader. And, I don't know who narrated The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell; what I do remember is how wonderful it was on audio.

I picked up The Sparrow to read the first time strictly because I thought the cover art was wonderful, then found that the story inside was likewise wonderful! That's the only book I've ever chosen because of the cover art. I don't believe I've ever not chosen a book because I didn't like the ...

... with the word "performed" ~ their characterizations are simply amazing! One of the first audiobooks I "read" was The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. I loved it so much I went out and bought a few copies of the book, kept one to read and gave the rest to friends, then went and got the ...

... in the book, beginning with 40 and ending with chapter 1, and it's a mind-blower of a little book. Webster, I loved The Sparrow as well, but its sequel Children of God isn't nearly as good a book.