WHY are you reading now?

It's a good question, and I think a better one. What book are you reading, and WHY did you pick it up? The what connects us, but the why reveals us.

Right now I'm reading Wisdom of the 90s by George Burns because it was picked for me in the Go Review That Book! group. It was in my library because I picked it up at a library sale, and always loved George Burns. He's always been old for me, it's crazy to see pictures of him young! I mean, he's God, right? and God never changes, right??

I'm also reading Skeleton Crew, by Stephen King. I'm reading it because I want something I can stuff in my pocket and is easy to start and stop for appointments, dance class, and other kids' things. I like SK, and I got this book because I saw and really liked the movie "The Mist."

I'm reading The Giver by Lois Lowry with my kids because I read it for myself a couple weeks ago and thought it'd be a great one for us to read as a family. I love to read with them because it's great to watch the wheels turn in their heads as they try to figure out the story, and the explosion of understanding that goes off in their eyes when the get it.

I'm reading Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Parks with my nine-year-old because it's worth 2 accelerated reader points (The Giver is 7 pts), and she wants to get to 60 points and get a big prize before school's out. My 13-year-old read it in school, brought it home and told her it was written by the same author as Junie B. was. Yes it is, but she is finding it extremely depressing... and that is NOT like Junie B.

So, WHY are you reading?

I'm reading The Years of Rice and Salt because I had a desire to read some alternative fiction with a bubonic plague theme.

It is a good question and I'm reading "Squandered" by David Craig (sorry Touchstones not helping here) which is about the huge amounts of my/our money wasted by UK politicians. I bought it because it was recommended by Jeff Randall who writes articles in the business section of the "Daily Telegraph", does a business program on Sky News, and was once business editor for BBC. So the answer to "why?" is that I always thought most UK politicians were scum and this book leads me to believe I was right all along.

I'm reading Freddy and Fredericka because I loved Winter's Tale, and because my library book sale had it.

I'm reading Middlemarch because its a group read here on LT and a friend recently recommended it.

I'm reading Dance to the Music of Time movement 4 because its the last in the series, and I can then check off this "book" on both the ML Top 100 20th century list AND the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list. Now that I'm almost finished, I can sorta see why the series (of 12 books! 12!) counts as 1 book on both lists - the narrative flows from one book into the next. The series is wonderful, really well-written and funny, so I'm happy to keep reading for that purpose, but I also want to see what happens to the Widmerpool character. I can't stand Widmerpool, and I totally want to see him fail.

jfetting, I'm a big fan of Anthony Powell's A Dance To The Music of Time novels, and find it pleasing when someone else discovers them.

I'm reading The Last Queen: A Novel because I am reviewing it for ReaderViews. I chose it to receive from them because I adore historical fiction and this is Tudor-era, but in Spain (Henry VIII's first Queen Catherine's older sister Juana), so it should expand my understanding of the events of that era.

I'm reading Alistair MacLeod's amazing No Great Mischief because I ordered it off ABE last week along with Island and NGM came first. I read Island last year - it was left behind in a studio I stayed in on Shetland, and seemed like the right book to be reading when there. I'm going back to Shetland in a few weeks, so I'm reading more MacLeod to get in the mood.

I'm reading Beast in View by Margaret Millar, a once-celebrated author of psychological thrillers whose books are now all out of print. This book won an Edgar in the fifties, I believe. I was delighted to find it at a local Goodwill store last weekend, just as I was about to finish what I was reading last week!

A very interesting question! I am reading Isabel Allende's memoir, The Sum of Our Days (despite the touchstone, I am reading it in the English translation!). Why? Well, I was browsing the "new books" shelf at my local library, and there it was! I am an admirer of Allende's books, so it was natural for me to pick it up. I am about halfway through it, and can recommend it.

I'm reading a few different books right now. Dragonfly in Amber is the second book in the Outlander series, which I'd started because I was looking for an epic kind of series. And the Outlander books are certainly that (I have to admit, I was initially drawn to the series because of the title of the sixth book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes- I loved the imagery.

I'm also reading Middlemarch as a part of the group read here on LT; Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen (because I love well-written YA lit that's not about bitchy rich girls), and Imagine Me and You, which was my March Early Reviewer book.

Ooooo, anything by Gabaldon has got my vote!
I'm reading Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs and Blaze by Stephen King....Well, Richard Bachman. Because they are two authors who I read everything of.

Good question, the "why" especially, because a long time I wasn't up for reading except on the non-fictional/academic stuff. Right now the I don't even wonder why, it is utterly fulfilling.

Right now?

Dune by Frank Herbert - Because the movie and the games have always been fun and I've wanted to read it since I knew it was a book, but that thought got lost somehow.

I have several books going at the moment. I am reading The Reserve because I love Russell Banks and this is one of the few of his books I have not read. And it's new. I am also reading Moby Dick because several people whom I really respect have told me it is their favorite book ever. I have tried before, but this time I'm doing it through dailylit.com and it isn't quite so daunting. Lastly, I am reading Soul Thief. Quite a few people on LT had good things to say about it, and, honestly, I just think the title is really cool.

Only one of three touchstones working. Bummer.

emaestra, good luck with The Reserve. Though I've always been a fairly rabid Russell Banks fan, I wish I had my money back on that one.

Reading Honor Lost and Princess Sultana's Circle for the Many Faces of Muslim Women Group Read. Also reading Foreskin's Lament because I saw two good reviews of it and it was on the "New" shelf at the library. That made it too good to pass up.

The Druids by Piggott - Because as slow as I'm reading it and as dense and chewy as it is, I am BOUND AND DETERMINED I am going to get this piece of dry as the Sahara desert book FINISHED and off my TBR list, dagnabbit! I was told it was best book on the druids. Best for putting people to sleep maybe!

Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right-Size by Julia Cameron - Because it's about writing and weight loss. Two topics of interest to me. And she wrote The Artist's Way which was pretty good.

The Sound and the Fury by Faulker - Because it's one of the more commonly recommended classics and it fulfills a few spots on my reading lists.

Devil May Cry by Kenyon - Because it's the next book in the paranormal romance series and after the books above I'll need some fluff reading.

I'm reading Soul of the Fire because my girlfriend had me try out the series. I really liked Wizard's First Rule but as the series progressed I became less enthusiastic. Now I'm just reading the fifth one to finish it, I can't leave half finished books, not even bad ones.

I am reading Middlemarch for the Group Read thread. Listening to World Without End because I really enjoyed Pillars of the Earth and reading Dutchess, A Novel of Sarah Churchill because it sounded interesting and it was a bargain book.

By the way #1, it's nice to see you read a family book with your kids!

I'm reading Middlemarch because I'm determined to become more familiar with the classics of literature. I'm reading Miracle at Speedy Motors because I love McCall Smith's stories of human nature and the lighthearted warmth of the series.

I'm reading because reading has always been my sustenance and my great invincible companion.

Forerunners and Rivals of Christianity from 330 BC to 330 AD because I am interested in the way that religions in general (and Christianity in particular) change over time. I am particularly interested in syncretism.

I am reading Ruddy Gore because I need some light escapest entertainment in my life right now.
I am reading Jane Boleyn because I've always been curious about her motivations & few authors really delve much into her when covering that era.
Lastly I am reading Bibliholism: A Literary Addiction because I was reminded of it in a thread here recently and had to go dig it out

At the moment, I am reading Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon because it is due back at the library tomorrow. This story has sucked me in and held me captive, so I am glad I finally got to it!

I'm reading four books at the moment, Dying to Cross because I have an interest in immigration issues, Franklin and Lucy for the Early Reviewers program and because FDR, Eleanor Roosevelt, and the New Deal fascinate me, A Woman of Egypt for the reading globally group, and finally Eat, Pray, and Love based on the insistent recommendation of my co-worker. I must say I am enjoying the last book the least but feel an obligation to read it. My friend has been raving about it and keeps asking me how I like it. There is nothing worse than explaining to someone that the book that changed their life isn't really your cup of tea.

I'm reading Beowulf because I wanted to read some classics this year for the 888 challenge. I'm also reading Swan Song by Edmund Crispin for the same reason, although I remembered about Crispin because of his being mentioned on a thread on LT.

Most of this year's books will be because of the 888 challenge. This is not a bad thing. I'm enjoying the discipline and structure enormously. And, when I don't, I read something completely trashy.

#21 orangeena: Your point to why you read in general is interesting. I agree with you and add what I believe about reading. No matter what hell you live in, no matter what problems you are going through, you can escape it, even if it's only for an hour, through the magic of books.

My mom got through two years of cancer, chemo, and the eventual loss of her husband, my father, with books. She read anything she could get her hands on, and at a rate of one average size book a day. Without reading, she says she would have lost it, metally. Add to all that, she is also caretaker and guardian of my 95 year old grandma, her mother.

So books are sustenance, forever reliable and invincible companions, and the great always mountable escape.

I'm reading Middlemarch for the Group Read, it seems like we are everywhere. I always wanted to read it and this was the perfect way. I am also reading Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde, which I chose as something a little lighter and more fun, to balance out George Eliot.

A lot of people on LT are reading Middlemarch, so I clicked over to the book page and read about it. How does it compare to Tess of the d'Urbervilles? The book description made me think of both Tess and Vanity Fair.

BTW... I figured since everyone's reading it, I have to, so I put it on my wishlist for when I have the point to get it. I can hear my mother now, "If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you have to?"

I am reading A Trip to the stars by Nicholas Christopher because it caught my eye in the bookstore, I read the first page and a half, and I was hooked. I'm also reading Opera and the Morbidity of Music for the LT Early Reviewers program.

I read lots of things for lots of reasons, some, like romance novels, to get an emotional fix, some for curiosity's sake or for information, and some just for the love of the written word. Reading is my small personal time in a busy life that often revolves around others, and I treasure those moments I spend reading, because I really have to steal them.

Reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe today because it was the closest I could find to a literary "hug" in my unorganized book stacks. After this I had to promise myself to make inroads on Anna Kareninia though, it's been "in progress" for far too long.

I'm close to finishing Tales of Terror. The Power of Darkness by Edith Nesbit for the Go Review That Book! group. It's a pretty thin book but it's taking me forever... That doesn't mean it's not good (because it is), but too many things going on in RL and too much reading for my studies.

Started Das Papierhaus by Carlos Maria Dominguez for some short, lighter reading next to the heavy, brainy stuff from school. I saw it mentioned somewhere on LT and had to get it.

I will start Middlemarch for the group read this weekend.

I am also reading The Gunslinger by Stephen King as it is one of the few older SK works I never read. And so many people are raving about it.

I started reading Will Self's Dr Mukti and Other Tales of Woe yesterday prior to my abortive attempt to go and see the man speak in London last night.

What: Drums of Autumn ( book 4 of the Outlander series) by Diana Gabaldon.

Why: Someone here on LT actually suggested I read the Outlander series because they noticed in my profile that I loved fantasy and the book is a time-travel based story. Whoa! The real fantasy isn't the time travel, it's the love between Jamie and Claire. I have fallen in love with this story and if I could remember who mentioned the books to me I would kiss them. It's one of those up all night reading even if you have to work in the morning. Takes my breath away.

I'm reading:
-The Red and the Black, because it's on the 100 Banned Books list that I'm making my way through together with my best friend.
-The Eye of Cybele, because it was the next book in line on Mount TBR.
-Essays by Emerson, because it's my current library book (I have a system for picking which book to get out of the library, but I'm not telling - it's way too neurotic and embarrassing).
-Faith of the Fallen, because it's my current audiobook (I keep one going for when I'm knitting or sewing), and it's the next book in the series I'm working my way through.
-The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, because it's the book that my husband and I are currently reading aloud to each other at night, although we've hit a slump and haven't picked it up in at least a month (we're both incredibly busy at work now and end up taking work home nearly every night and working late).

I'm currently reading Lonely Werewolf Girl by Martin Millar because I recently read his other book The Good Fairies of New York and enjoyed it quite a bit. I picked that book up because Neil Gaiman wrote the introduction, and other books I've read that he's recommended have always turned out to be excellent.

I'm also reading The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse because the LibrarySuggester said I'd like it. And honestly, how could I be expected to resist that title?

Oh, interesting question...
I'm reading Bonk because I loved Stiff and I got a free ARC of it at the TLA convention last week, plus I wanted a good chuckle.
I'm also reading Tricky Business because I think Dave Barry is hilarious and, like I said, I want a good chuckle.
I'm reading Ballyhoo, Buckaroo, and Spuds because it was a Christmas present, I love reading about word origins, and it's already helped me win one bar bet (someone trying to convince me that the f-word was an acronym).

And finally, I'm reading (in bits and pieces) A Pocket Style Manual because I'm updating a citation guide for our library and still need the reference. Entertaining read, let me tell you...

I'm reading Kristin Lavransdatter because I love medieval historical fiction and Scandinavia isn't usually a popular location for it.

Good question! I usually only read one book at a time, but right now I'm reading four.

Anne of Green Gables because I'm reading it out loud to my eight-year old.

Peace Shall Destroy Many because it's one of the oldest books in my TBR pile (and I'm glad I'm finally reading it)

Middlemarch because I'm in the LT group read (another one that was sitting in my TBR pile),

and

Half of a Yellow Sun because it's my book club read for May.

I'm reading Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler to discover the places and glean additional imformation about the history of this great book.

After finishing up The Shadow of the Wind last night, a book I cannot recommend highly enough, I started on The Promised City because, for whatever reason ever since I was a kid, I have been interested in the history of the Jewish people. This book covers the Jews of New York City at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.

I love this question. We should have this also be a weekly thread. I find this more interesting than the What you are reading thread.

>42 Morphidae:
Agreed.

#42/43: me too!

#42-44: Ditto.

And right now I'm reading Honor Tracy's The Straight and Narrow Path, because a LT member recommended it as a good read for when you're stressed or sad. I'm much the former, and a bit the latter, so it's nice to have a book that makes me laugh.

Ditto for me too. I am currently reading and about to either give up on or skim to the end Snow by Orhan Pamuk. Its for book club so I feel obligated to finish but it is so boring and I don't like the characters. I might just skim until the end and pretend I read it at book club next week. Don't tell my book club buddies I didn't really read it :) Next I will read my ER book Venetian Mask. Hopefully this one will be much better.

Why are you reading now?

This is LibraryThing, do you really have to ask? :-)

or do you mean:

Why am I reading what I am reading now?

At the moment I'm reading a debut novel set in Western Canada in 1903 called The Outlander by Gil Adamson. It arrived in an order from Amazon yesterday just as I happened to finish my previous book. So I started it because I wanted to read - I wanted to open a book like a gift and see what surprises (or disappointments) are inside!

There is nothing worse than explaining to someone that the book that changed their life isn't really your cup of tea.

#25 I completely agree with you. So often my best friend has recommended a book to me that I didn't particularly like (or, at least didn't like nearly as well as she did). She doesn't seem to understand that we frequently have very different reading tastes.

>36 Librariasaurus: bibliophool

The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse has me rofl! Who'd think I myself could create an apocalypse of hollow chocolate bunnies--but I did. Got a bunch of them on sale a bit after Easter last year. All boxed up and about 10 cents a piece. Shoved them in the freezer to enjoy over the long haul--and took a couple out to find flattened bunnies. Just laying there in their boxes. Cold air just did them in------groan.

Why am I reading Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali? It's been on my TBR shelf too long. My general interest is in reading about diverse cultures. When I dug in to the Reading Globally thread on Muslim women the hot discussion there made me hungry to read it NOW. I need to know why this woman is so vehement in her pronouncements and what life as a Muslim women means/meant to her. And, where does her experience fit in my evolving understanding of Islam?

I am currently reading Lamb because I've read so many great reviews and now I'm finding they're justified ! Also slowly working through Mists of Avalon because I've always enjoyed Arthurian tales .

I began Two Brothers: One North, One South on my lunch break because it was my April ER book. I selected it because of my interests in historical fiction and in the Civil War. 25 pages into it I can see what some people were talking about with the writing. I'm fairly suspicious about the fact that the author is the owner of the company that published the book. Oh well, I'll give it to page 100 or so to see if it improves. If not, I'm moving onto something else in my TBR pile.

i dont kno what im readin right know cuz i just finished waiting for normal

I just finished reading George Burns' Wisdom of the 90s today, and we finished Mick Harte Was Here last night. Now I'm in Firefly Rain by Richard Dansky. It's an ARC book, and I got it as a bonus from the publisher. It is an ER book, but not the one I won. I was so exciting when I got the email, because I really, really wanted it. I love scary supernatural books. This one's a mystery, a horror story, a ghost story... it's got it all. The prodigal son returns home after his business goes belly-up, and has to contend with vengeful spirits. Sounds fun!

I'm sooo geeked out over it, can you tell?

I'm reading Death note volume 7 by Tsugumi Ohba because it's addictive stuff.

Also reading Atonement by Ian McEwan because it is on the 1001 list, and also The Salmon of Doubt by Douglas Adams because he is quite awesome.

Having finished The Promised City, I have now begun Lost Men of American History. I checked it out of the library because I am a history buff and it sounded interesting.

I am reading City of Dreams : a novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and early Manhattan by Beverly Swerling because It's been in my TBR pile for about a year, my sisters and aunt have read it and recommended it to me and it's historical fiction which is my favorite genre... Now that I'm reading it I wonder why it took me so long to get to it?

I'm reading The Shining due to an project for my Englsih class, where I have to compare the book with the movie adaptaion of it.

I'm reading two books right now: Deception Point by Dan Brown and another one I don't know the name in English, but it's a Jose Saramago's novel about death.
I'm reading them for no specific reason.
But I do know the reason why I read in general...
I read because it takes me away from the crazy world we live (pressure at school, pressure at work, co-workers,...) and puts me in this other dimension. It makes me forget - at least for a moment - about me and my life in general. Even if the story is sad it's worth it. =)

I finished Lonely Werewolf Girl yesterday and The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse this morning (both very good; the Millar was better, but I liked the Rankin quite a bit). I'm now moving on to The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, as I read The Yiddish Policeman's Union just last week and becames an instant Michael Chabon fan. I also plan to tackle The Somnambulist this weekend after a couple of false starts.

I just finished Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee, which I picked up because I liked the title and I had read a lot of positive reviews of it when it first came out. When I saw it had come out in paperback I grabbed a copy to read on my vacation. I thought it was great.

Now I've just started At Large and at Small by Anne Fadiman, because when I found out she'd published another book of essays I just had to have it. I absolutely loved Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader and also her first book (though not essays) The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down.

I'm reading Snow falling on cedars......because I packed my 30 some odd books for summer reading and it happened to be on top of the sack.

#45, Medellia12, I'm glad you're enjoying The Straight and Narrow Path -- it always works for me!

#61, Lindsayg, I've been thinking of reading Free Food for Millionaires since it came out in hard cover and am glad to have your recommendation.

#63 rebeccanyc, It's exactly the kind of book I like to read on vacation, a big sprawling story with lots of different characters and clever writing. Hope you enjoy it too!

Finished reading Firefly Rain, and enjoyed it. Now I'm getting ready to start reading The Gun Runner's Daughter by Neil Gordon. I'm reading it because it was picked for me by lilyfyrestorm in the Go Review That Book! group.

I bought the book from the last library sale. I picked it up because it had an interesting cover and sounded like an interesting read: A US District Attorney had an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old girl on vacation 10 years ago. Now, as it turns out, the girl is the daughter of an arms dealer he is prosecuting. He should recuse himself, not only to spare himself, but to spare the reputation of his father, a White House advisor. He tries to manipulate the daughter, but she's got her own motives, so who's playing who?

Sounded like a good psych mystery thriller.

59: marianapdias:

I did enjoy Deception Point a while back, hope you like it too...

well i havnt really read that one yet so i cant help ya on that one! SORRY

well i havnt really read that one yet so i cant help ya on that one! SORRY

I'm reading Blindness because I might somehow end up watching the film and I prefer to have read the book first if at all possible.

First, heliophobe I am interested in reading Blindness. Next, I am reading Revenge for a bookclub that I may not even attend, but finding I like this book more then I thought I would. And I was reading it because I am waiting on Amazon, that is late!, on delivering another book.

I'm rereading my entire Terry Pratchett library (by which I mean Discworld). I'm not really sure why. I just get the inexplicable urge to reread various book series at this time of year (Last year it was David Weber's Honor Harrington books. The year before that, it was Tolkien.).

Also, I'm tackling The Physics of Superheroes by James Kakalios. It's keeping my interest even though I have as much interest in applied physics as I do with recreational herpetology.

And I'm still reading The Pickwick Papers. I'm doing it on a "One night, one chapter" basis and I'm making some progress. I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to read books this way, but hey... Progress!

#1 OMFG. Mick Harte Was Here was one of the most upsetting books I've ever read. I love it. I still remember, word for word, the last line. I think it's one of the most beautiful books on grief I've read in my life.

I'm reading American Pastoral because it's set near my hometown, and anyway I needed to try some Philip Roth.

I'm reading Three Minutes On Love because it's my ER book.

What: Espresso Tales by Alexander McCall Smith

Why: Because I just finished nr 1 in the series "44 Scotland Street" and Espresso Tales are nr 2.

Why I read McCall Smith is because I love his way of writing. Philosphing, shrewd humour, charming (mostly) characters, affectionate portret of Edinburgh.

I am reading an omnibus of the last three Tales of the City books by
Armistead Maupin, because I love his writing and I am in love with these characters....

Hmm...besides why not?

Reading The Dark is Rising (aloud to while my wife knits) because we do every year starting on Midwinter's Eve.

Reading Little Dorrit (serially, as it was published, aloud for the time being) because we wanted to see if reading Dickens in the same way it was published changes the experience markedly. And because we're not in a hurry.

Reading Boswell in Holland because I'm fascinated by Boswell, by the sort of open, I-was-there sort of journal you get from people like Boswell, Evelyn, or Pepys.

And reading a whole bunch of other stuff because I've a restless mind, I guess.

I'm reading a trashy (maybe) little serial romance novel called, Nick All Night, that has been languishing in my tbr pile for more than a year after being picked up at a library sale.

I'm reading it because I've been feeling very stressed out lately. Right now I feel incapable of reading anything that looks too long or complicated.

I am reading Ibrain because I read an article in NewsWeek that mentioned how technology is changing our brains. I have noticed a lot of changes in my on cognitive abilities since becoming such an avid computer user (my math skills are off the hook!). I've also noticed marked differences in my students (I'm a high school teacher) and their learning preferences and styles. I wanted to take a more indepth look that the article provided. So far, I'm not sorry. It's fascinating! One warning-the book gets a little repetitive. If you can wade through that you will be amazed and perhaps a little creeped out, too.

What: Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen

Why: Because it seems like a nice holiday read, and because I've never read it before (although I've seen the movie many times), and because it's a 1001 book and I need one more for the year, and because I've started it three times this year and always got busy.

I'm reading On the Road by Jack Kerouac. A friend is going through a Beat phase and needs someone to talk to about what he's reading. I'm enjoying it immensely -- likely because I'm all Shakespeared-ed out after this past semester. I was a little nervous after his last choice: the repulsive Naked Lunch.

I am reading After Dark by Haruki Murakami. It is dreamy and gritty at the same time. I wanted to dislike it because of the hype about the writer, but have to say I can't stop thinking about it.

I perversely try very hard to avoid the hype because of some secret desire to be rebellious. Then I read the hyped book and am completely blown away -American Gods - but no one wants to hear it because they read it when the hype was strong two years ago or whatever. So, I give in to the hype - Guernsey Literary... - and wish I had been rebellious and skipped the damned thing. My reading goal for next year might just be to find my place in the hype...

I'm reading The Sunne in Splendour as I am going through a historical fiction phase and this has been sitting on my shelf for ages after being recommended a lot.

What: Love over Scotland by Alexander McCall Smith

Why: Because I just finished nr 2 in the series "44 Scotland Street" and "Love over Scotland" are nr 3.

Revolutionary Road because it's been on my TBR pile for a couple of years and I want to read it before I see the movie, which just opened.

Because I'm awake and breathing so I'm reading.

I second Hernandez's answer.

I'm reading Helen of Troy, because I'm on holiday break and need a light read. I recently studied Helen and had to read a lot of classical and academic sources, and a popular reading of her is just what the therapist ordered.

I am finishing books for January book club discussions:
Frederica by Heyer
Return of the King by Tolkien
The King of Attolia by Turner

and because her next book in the series is coming out in January:
The Sharing Knife series by Bujold

I kept them in a stack and pick them up as the mood hits...

I am finishing books for January book club discussions:
Frederica by Heyer
Return of the King by Tolkien
The King of Attolia by Turner

and because her next book in the series is coming out in January:
The Sharing Knife series by Bujold

I kept them in a stack and pick them up as the mood hits...

What: "The World According to Bertie" (nr 4) by Alexander McCall Smith

Why: Because I just finished nr 3 in the series "44 Scotland Street": "Love over Scotland". And I have to see how it is going with the characters.

What: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/corduroymansionsbyalexandermcca/
Starting now on "Corduroy Mansions", an online book by Alexander McCal Smith.

Why: I'm not willing to leave the Universe of McCall Smith just yet.

I'm reading two books about reading, just because it's winter and reading is so cosy when it's cold out. On Reading is a photography collection by Andre Kertesz spanning many decades and many places, and I got it for Christmas so it's on the top of the pile. I have to admit that I'm also trying to get through some of my unread books to make myself feel virtuous - and how better to do that quickly than to start with a small photography monograph? I know, I know, cheating.

The other book is The Pleasure of Reading by Antonia Fraser, which is a nice collection of pieces by famous writers reminiscing - each for about four or five pages - about their childhood reading and what inspires them now, what their favourite books are, and how reading has affected their lives. It's a library book so it needs returning, but it's also perfect for reading in short sections when I'm tired, or in between reading other things that require more concentration!

I am reading Dracula because of all the craze about vampires lately. I wanted to know about the original by Bram Stoker.

#92
Although I understand what you mean, and although I agree that Dracula went way further than all the previous novels in vampire fiction, I think vampires were already quite well-known characters in literature even before Dracula was written. Have you read Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu ? It's the first example that comes to mind. It was published 25 years before Dracula I read somewhere it was a source of inspiration for Stoker, and I can see why. It's a quick read, too, and personally I enjoyed it very much :) There are a few comic versions of the story that have been published, I must say it translates very well to the graphic novel medium.

What: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books...
"Corduroy Mansions", an online book by Alexander McCal Smith.
Chapter 70-75 written 2009, finished. From now on it's one chapter a weekday.

Today I read: "Baobab : verdens rareste tre Jødal, Morten". Myths and facts of the Baobab tree

What to read now, I'm not sure

People of the Book

What: The Coffee Trader by David Liss
Why: For the LT Highly Rated Book Club group read.

After two years I'm finally reading (and almost finished with) Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward.

I absolutely loved the book just before this in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and picked this one up as soon as it came out. I may have even pre-ordered it which is something I rarely do. However, before I had a chance to start it I started seeing reviews by people who were really disappointed in the direction the author took with this book. Since it is a fairly hefty read I let it slowly decend down my tbr pile. In 2008 it was on my TBR Challenge list but even with that I never picked it up for fear I would hate it.

After joining the 999 Challenge group this year I was inspired to take pictures of the stacks of books I intend to read. Over on the Romance Group there is a "nudge" thread (inspired by the group of that name) and I offered my Romance pile up for a nudge. Lo and behold there are a few people out there who did enjoy the book since it got the most nudges.

This past Saturday I was set to start Wuthering Heights which is my current Go Review that Book! pick. However, since my copy of WH is a hardcover rather large book and I was spending my day walking around a high school gym for my son's wrestling meet I wanted a book I could fit into my pocket. So, Lover Unbound came along for the ride while Wuthering Heights continues to sit on my shelf.

I'm really enjoying the book so far but am still reserving my final opinion for the end.

I am currently reading Hannah's Dream by Diane Hammond, because I love elephant stories and this one is based on a true story which I saw in a tv documentary; it's very good. What We All Long For by Dionne Brand for the Canadian Reading Challenge and the Diversity Reading Challenge, she's a terrific writer, first time I've read her work. And We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver because everyone says it's so good; so far it is very good, much better than I thought this subject could be in fiction.
Reviews will be posted later in the week.
http://freshinkbooks.blogspot.com/

The Coffee Trader for the LT group read: because i enjoyed A Conspiracy of Paper when i read it several years ago...& because i looove coffee...

Hopscotch...for a group read on Shelfari: because i read 62: A Model Kit about 10 years ago and wanted to reacquaint w/ Cortazar

What: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books...
"Corduroy Mansions", an online book by Alexander McCal Smith. One chapter a day.

and The Alexandria Link, Steve Link

WHY: it seemed to be the right crimebook to read under the circumstanses.

I've just started reading Ha'penny by Jo Walton. Why? Fear and loathing. I just finished Farthing by Walton and the book left me in fear that the wrong people are running things in the world and loathing them for having such a narrow, limited vision. Ha'penny is the second book in the series. I couldn't not read it.

The Alexandria Link finsihed.
WHAT; Started on another book in the same genre.
Medici mysteriet (The Medici Secret by Michael White)
WHY; Because I could
Book 5-09,

What: Blood Red
By: Heather Graham
Why: It is the book of the month read over on the romance group :-)

Reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. I've been sitting on this one for a while. It looked like such a good, old fashioned gothicy book that I wanted to save it for a nice long weekend to curl up with. And since it currently is snowing and -10 degrees out, it's the perfect time to read something fun. I'm enjoying it.

What: Ragnarok by Tom Egekand
Why: A young couple slid off the road in a snowstorm. Wake up for 1000 years ago. A fight for life in the Vikingage. Are told to be a modern triller.

Book 6-09,(Counting this years reading)

I'm a kid. Kids read. I am reading The Mysterious Benedict Society, By Trenton Lee...Uhh
Bye!

I am only reading Twilight because I don't have a choice.
I recommended Outlander to my sister in law and she loved the series like I knew she would. Well, she swears that I will love Twilight and that I should try it. I have never even had an interest in it.....but I guess I have no choice.
Darn that Missy.

Touchstones have a mind of their own.

What;
"Brödraskapet (Brethren) by Robyn Young

Why; it is in my TBR-pile and it looks interresting

Book 7-09

WHAT:
Den hvite liljen (The white lily) by Elisabeth Nemert,

WHY; I gave it to my cousin to her birthday, and I bought one for myself, so I wanted to read it myself.

Book 8-09

I just finished "Horseman Pass By" by Larry McMurtry for a class titles "Texas Books. Texas Film". The film we are watching & discussing is "Hud" (1963) which was based on the book.

Next I'll be reading "Portrait of a Lady" for a class on Henry James which begins the last week in Feb.

Earlier in Jan. I read parts 1-4 of "Anna Karinina", will try to finish it as I read the other books. I read "Anna Karinina" in college (1962-1966),b ut wanted to read it again.

I'm reading:

- Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery because, obviously, I just finished Anne of Avonlea and it's next in the series. Also, I find them surprisingly readable in my browser, nice to have open in a tab for when I want to procrastinate on my homework.

- Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens, for a class. It's not due for a few weeks, but it's a darn long book.

- North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, for my 999. Which isn't exactly a reason -- it's on my 999 list because I wanted to read more 19th century literature and because I loved the BBC miniseries.

- The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, also for my 999, this one because I'm fascinated by Arthurian legend and love feminist retellings. I've been working on it for awhile, though...

WHAT; Ildfloden (River of Fire (Aag ka darya)) by Hyder, Qurratulain

WHY; Because it seems pretty interresting and I like books from India.

From Amazon.com Product Description; published as Aag ka Darya in 1959, is without question the most important novel of 20th-century Urdu literature. An amazing, sui generis book, River of Fire spans two and a half millennia. Set during four Indian epochs (the classical, the medieval, the colonial, and the modern post-national), the novel is a meditation on history and human nature, tracing four souls through time.

I'm re-reading "When the Wind Blows" by James Patterson to my Mother-in-law sho is house-bound with M.S. It allows her to be carried away from the harsh realities of her every day and feel she's a participant in the story. This is a good one for her-very unique and
not just adventure and mystery but some truly delightful characters.

On another subject, I don't get how to invite people on Library thing as friends...other than people I know outside of Library thing. I'd like to find a dialog space for same books I'm reading...how do I do this? I think you can contact me by finding my page-rustbucket-I hate to post my personal email here for this purpose....

Annette "rustbucket" Clark

I'm reading City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare.

Why? Because it has been in my TBR pile for many months and is on all three of my challenge lists. Also because on the TBR Challenge it was suggested I read it sooner rather than later.

I am reading WILDWOOD, a Journey through Trees by Roger Deakin which is another of the English Rhapsody of Nature genre in the tradition of Annie Dillard and Wendell Berry. If you liked Henry Thoreau then you might want to take a look at this work. The 'Independent' newspaper says " I have never read anything that better evokes the experience of walking in woodland ". Unlike in North America, forests in Britain are still something of a novelty, since Britain was completely deforested by the inhabitants more than five thousand years ago and has never recovered. From what I have been able to observe, the woodlands of Britain are remarkably open and little clogged by brush and creepers. In my own State forests are so clogged by these that any foray off an established trail requires a machete to make any progress, and greatly reduces the chances of any Rhapsody. Still, this book is well written and should be engrossing for anyone who has ever enjoyed a walk in the Forest. As to WHY I am reading now I can only reply that I also have enjoyed walking in the Wildwood for many years, until no less than three bouts with Lyme Disease made it no longer worth the consequences.