Judylou's Orange July 2011

I am halfway through Annabel at the moment and I'm finding it a real treat to read. It is one of those books that makes me wish I didn't have "a life" as well and could just keep reading.

Isn't it great when one of those books comes along!!

Hi, Judy! Glad you're here! Have fun with Annabel!

Hey Judy girl! I really liked Annabel when I read it and as I recall, I did neglect home & hearth to do it in 24. It was worth it. Good book. If this is your first Orange for July, you picked a doozie to start with.
been missing ya,
belva

That's the next Orange I'm planning to read. My sister gave it to me for Christmas and I've been anticipating it all year.

Glad to hear you're enjoying Annabel. It was one of my fav reads last year.

I just got Annabel in the mail today! Tempting....

I've got a hold request in for Annabel from the library: can't wait to get to it this month! :)

I only have a few more chapters to go . . . now if I can only keep the family occupied elsewhere for a while . . .

Annabel is currently sitting at number 1 on my "best of" list. What a stunning story.

However, I am now feeling less than impressed by The Memory of Love. I'm hoping it will get better.

Oh, oh...........judylou, I am nearly to page 100 of The Memory of Love and am enjoying it greatly although it is not yet knocking my sox off! I have my fingers crossed that you are just beginning it.

So glad that you liked Annabel so much. I thought it was a pretty special read too.
hugs,
belva

Sadly Belva, I have finished it and am definitely not missing it. I don't know what it was about it that I didn't enjoy but I just could not get any connection going. I enjoyed Ancestor Stones so much when I read it just a short time ago and I expected to enjoy this one as much. But I was sadly disappointed. I guess it was one of those right book / wrong time moments :)

I am sorry it wasn't right for you judylou, but there are too many other wonderful books to stew about one. I hope your next pick works better for you.
hugs,
belva

Me too!
Thanks

Sorry it didn't work out for you, Judy, but as Belva said, on to another wonderful book!

Oh well, can't be helped I guess :)

But I have at last picked up On Beauty. I have had this one on the list for every Orange January/July I have been involved in. I've read 50 pages, and so far, so good!

Finished On Beauty and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. What a story. What a cast of characters.

I understand that a lot of people were very unimpressed by it and I would like to find out why. I approached this book with much trepidation because of its reputation, but I was happily surprised!

btw, this will be my last Orange July book this year. Roll on January!

Thanks for participating, Judy - glad it ended on a good book for you! =)

I'm glad to hear good things about On Beauty! I read White Teeth this month and didn't get on with it, but I still want to read this one. I loved her essay collection so much. ;)

Oh, I enjoyed On Beauty too, but it was a while ago. (And I loved White Teeth.) It does have a number of vocal detractors though, doesn't it?

I wasn't so impressed with Smith's The Autograph Man though. Seemed to be some interesting ideas in search of a plot. I don't even own my copy any more, and it takes quite a bit for me to give up a book. :)

Thanks Jill. I find these two months are a great way to 1) force me to read some of my own books and 2) force me to meet some new authors!

wookie, that one is lurking on the shelves here too. Not sure when I'll get around to it!