Reading Books For Pleasure

[insert____here]

one of my all time favourites is "phantom" by susan kay. as you rightly guess it's another "phanotm of the opera" story, but it's so much more in depth. she gives you his whole life from birth to death. including the bits after he dies, like what happens to the husband. i'll leave it up to you to read it and figure out what i'm talking about.

i dare anyone to read it and not cry.

 

[graceanne]

I just finished the new Kresley Cole, Deep Kiss of Winter. It wasn't too bad. It definitely wasn't her best, but it was her worst, either. Worth the read, not worth a re-read.

 

[FurryFury]

Hardball by Sara Paretsky was as good as most of the V.I. Warsharski.

 

[FurryFury]

Flash Forward by Robert J. Sawyer was really good. Better, of course, than the TV show.

 

[*Twisted*]

Flash Forward by Robert J. Sawyer was really good. Better, of course, than the TV show.

I've read some of Sawyer's other stuff, but not that one, he's good.

Reading Certifiably Insane at the moment.. quite disturbing thriller

 

[FurryFury]

I'm worried about Quiverfull Inside the Patriarchy Movement disturbing me. I really may not be able to read it very long. I won't read it at night for sure.

 

[sb2009]

I've read some of Sawyer's other stuff, but not that one, he's good.

Reading Certifiably Insane at the moment.. quite disturbing thriller

I love Sawyer....

 

[FurryFury]

Quiverfull Inside the Patriarchy Movement by Kathryn Joyce is SCARY!

I knew it would be disturbing to me personally because I grew up in a very patriarchy religious setting. Anything of that ilk really wigs me out.

The Quiverful movement made famous by the Duggar "lovely" Family is something I've always considered insane and likely to be dangerous in it's hidden ideology. That's why I wanted to read this book.

The implications of this movement being based on racism, fear and hate are truly disturbing to me. These people are against gay and abortion rights. They are also against woman's rights. They are big on banning and/or punishing people.

However, the "very good" research that the author is supposed to have done, isn't completely accurate. She claims the Quiverful movement is predominant in homeschooling circles. I'm a homeschooler. I've rarely seen families that are very big within any of the homeschooling communities I've been in contact with.

The two I have seen had not the patriarchy movement but pagan interests. In fact, while the majority of homeschoolers *may* be religious, there are many religious and ways to practice those religions. Also, the secular homeschooling movement is on the rise now. I believe it will be the largest part of the homeschooling movement before long.

What really bothers me about connecting the two so inaccurately is that it makes homeschooling seem sinister and perpetuates close minded myths about homeschooling in general.

I will probably write the author about this because it's simply not true that *most* homeschooling moms wear long pastel outfits, submit to their husbands (as if he were god(!?!), and tries to keep their children away from the horrible world but prepared to fight a holy war to restore it.

Otherwise I like her take on things which isn't surprising since we are both feminists and secular people. I can envision the Quiverful movement taking over this country and it won't be pretty. In fact, it looks one hell of a lot like the end days that I heard about in my childhood cult church.

I'm glad I scanned some parts and read others in this book because it confirmed for me that the Quiverful movement isn't a benign cute TLC show, it's a dangerous practice of treating women and children like property. The end game of this movement is to fight a holy war and make our country pure again.

All I'm left asking is does this mean us liberal and secular people should start shooting out babies so we can compete for the domination and impurity of this country?

 

[AbiNormyl]

Quiverfull Inside the Patriarchy Movement by Kathryn Joyce is SCARY!

I'm glad I scanned some parts and read others in this book because it confirmed for me that the Quiverful movement isn't a benign cute TLC show, it's a dangerous practice of treating women and children like property. The end game of this movement is to fight a holy war and make our country pure again.

Wow doesn't sound much different then radical muslims does it?

 

[sb2009]

Wow doesn't sound much different then radical muslims does it?

that's one thing I've noticed about exreme religious fundamentalists of any flavor...pretty much the same goal, just different skin colors and names for the gods.

That's Samantha's-broadview-of-faith LOL

 

[Wife of Bath]

I've just finished the Elegeance of the Hedgehog. It was fantastic- if you can read French, I'd suggest the original version, but the English one is still very good. It is essentially about the masks people wear to hide and protect their true selves. Absolutely loved it.

 

[FurryFury]

Wow doesn't sound much different then radical muslims does it?

Exactly so though the Quiverful movement hates and fears Muslims.

 

[FurryFury]

I've just finished the Elegeance of the Hedgehog. It was fantastic- if you can read French, I'd suggest the original version, but the English one is still very good. It is essentially about the masks people wear to hide and protect their true selves. Absolutely loved it.

Sounds interesting!

 

[FurryFury]

that's one thing I've noticed about exreme religious fundamentalists of any flavor...pretty much the same goal, just different skin colors and names for the gods.

That's Samantha's-broadview-of-faith LOL

So true.

 

[ShyVixen]

I'm reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.

A huge Tudor fiction novel. Be still my beating heart.

 

[Nymphomaniacal]

Debating reading the Divine Comedy by Dante.
Anyone read it?

 

[ShyVixen]

Debating reading the Divine Comedy by Dante.
Anyone read it?

Me! Me! It's one of my favourite books of all time. Especially Inferno.

"Through me is the way into the woeful city; through me is the way into eternal woe; through me is the way among the lost people. Justice moved my lofty maker: the divine Power, the supreme Wisdom and the primal Love made me. Before me were no things created, unless eternal, and I eternal last. All hope abandon, ye who enter in."

That is one of my favourite quotes ever. Still gives me chills after all this time

 

[Nymphomaniacal]

Me! Me! It's one of my favourite books of all time. Especially Inferno.

"Through me is the way into the woeful city; through me is the way into eternal woe; through me is the way among the lost people. Justice moved my lofty maker: the divine Power, the supreme Wisdom and the primal Love made me. Before me were no things created, unless eternal, and I eternal last. All hope abandon, ye who enter in."

That is one of my favourite quotes ever. Still gives me chills after all this time

I started reading pieces here and there and it sounds good.

 

[ShyVixen]

I started reading pieces here and there and it sounds good.

It is good and very telling of the beliefs of the time - good and evil, heaven and hell. But I'm a history geek, so ya know...it's probably even more interesting to me because of that. I forget sometimes that people don't see the world as I do lol

I wish I could read it in Italian. But alas I don't speak Italian

 

[insert____here]

I wish I could read it in Italian. But alas I don't speak Italian

i had someone read bits to me in italian once...didn't understand a word, but i had the english copy and enjoyed following along...one of the "classic" novels that truly deserves the title.

 

[Nymphomaniacal]

It is good and very telling of the beliefs of the time - good and evil, heaven and hell. But I'm a history geek, so ya know...it's probably even more interesting to me because of that. I forget sometimes that people don't see the world as I do lol

I wish I could read it in Italian. But alas I don't speak Italian

I love most of history, especially ancient so this is probably right up my alley.
I can read Spanish but im not sure its close enough to Italian for me to understand it if I were to get it in Italian.

 

[AbiNormyl]

I just finished listening to Grave Peril by Jim Butcher. I do so love his books. If you like alternate realities that include little romance, a lot of blood and a wizard, some vampires, some fairies and demons I would suggest this series. I will say though Mr. Butcher's first book in the series is kind of rough but the further you get the in the series the better the books become.

Another writer that I like who's books are like Mr. Butcher's is Simon R. Green's Nightside series. I would also suggest it for a fun light read. I must say his twists and turns are very interesting.

I am now reading One Foot in the Grave; which is the sequel to the book we chose for the month disscusion group. The bad part is I haven't read the first book in the series yet because it is on my computer instead of in paperback and I can't transport it with me.

 

[FurryFury]

Blond Geisha by Jina Bacarr was so not great, particularly compared to Memoirs of a Geisha. While saying that Geisha are not prostitutes, the author writes them as if they were.

While saying the lead character had to do things the Geisha way, there is no real punishment or enforcing of the rules. She gets away with being an impetuous brat.

Perhaps worst of all though occasionally amusing were descriptions such as "most honorable jade stalk" and "mood grotto" for penis and vagina.

I didn't hate the book but I sure didn't love it. I felt it showed a dumbing down and confusion compared with the most excellent and well researched Memoirs of a Geisha. If only every book were as well thought out and researched.

 

[FurryFury]

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson 4.25/5 I finally got through it. I tried to read it several times. Finally it was a BOTM in one of the book clubs I run so I worked really hard at getting through it.

The book is thick and filled with details that are, IMO, unnecessary. Once you get past that and into the main character, it gets interesting. I am now looking forward to reading more about The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I believe there were two other volumes written before Steig died. There was quite an interesting mystery within but as I said, my main interest was the lead character.

A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix 3.75/5 Set in New Orleans, which is almost always a + to my way of thinking, this urban supernatural novel was a bit different from others I have read. That's a good thing because if they were all the same I'd be bored. I want to read more books in this "world". I want to know what happens next.

Tragic Magic by Laura Childs 3.75/5 Easy, light reading, this book is also set in New Orleans, had I noticed before I picked it up that is said, "A Scrapbooking Mystery" I wouldn't have gotten it. I'm glad I didn't notice because it was fun.

Evidence by Jonathan Kellerman 4.5/5 Kellerman is excellent as always. Nowadays he doesn't even give me nightmares anymore.

Burn by Linda Howard 4/5 Romantic, action, with solid characters always works for me. If there weren't enough character or action I wouldn't have liked it. Linda Howard writes romance but she does it in a way that I can enjoy regardless of the setting. Settings in her books range from the future to Europe to Alabama and just about everywhere else in between. The sex is always a little kinky, just a little.

Sweet Dreams, Irene by Jan Burke 4/5 Solid character work and intrigue make this novel right up my alley. I will def be looking at reading some more mystery tomes by Burke!

The Penny Pinchers Club by Sarah Strohmeyer 3.75/5 OMG, this poor woman. I just wanted to tell her STOP SLEEPING your cheating husband only . . . well you have to read it. In these economic times, the penny pincher thing grabbed my interest.

Promise Of The Wolves by Dorothy Hearst 3.5/5 I read this one for my pre-history book in my travel a time line reading challenge for 2010. Honestly it was interesting but thin and not that great. I wanted the mystical attraction of humans and wolves explained.

A Touch Of Dead by Charlaine Harris 4/5 Just some Sookie Stackhouse short stories. I'd already read some of them. I usually hate short stories but these were good and full enough to please me.

Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs 4/5 My first Bones book. This one is located in South Carolina Isle of Palm and other barrier Island. I've been there and enjoyed visiting so it pleased me to see that. It was a good solid book. They are very different from the TV show though. Both of them are good in their own way.

 

[Sweetdaisymae]

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson 4.25/5 I finally got through it. I tried to read it several times. Finally it was a BOTM in one of the book clubs I run so I worked really hard at getting through it.

The book is thick and filled with details that are, IMO, unnecessary. Once you get past that and into the main character, it gets interesting. I am now looking forward to reading more about The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I believe there were two other volumes written before Steig died. There was quite an interesting mystery within but as I said, my main interest was the lead character.

I'm working my way though The Girl that Played with Fire, the second book in the series, I just grabbed it at a train stn book shop without realising it was in a set, that said I am enjoying the plot, the central character is interesting enough to make me want to read more, wish I had read the first to know the back story, think that will be next on the reading list. Def worth a read!