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Post by HokieThea on Jan 14, 2011 11:38:36 GMT -5
We need a new ideas thread. I've been reading several very subpar books (there is a reason why they were free on Amazon Kindle!), and I need something good.
Has anyone read "Freedom" by Jonathan Frazen? I am intrigued by it, but I usually hate books Oprah picks.
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Post by niaru on Jan 14, 2011 13:09:24 GMT -5
I don't know anything about Freedom, Thea, sorry.
I'm currently reading Fall of Giants by Ken Follet. It's uneven (good parts, so-so parts), but it's interesting because it's set during the 1914-1918 war, but seen through the perspective of British, American and Russian characters. My grandfather fought in that war and wrote detailed letters to his family recording his experiences (some were totally out of this world!) , letters that were then compiled into a book by my dad. So Follet's book is a good complement to that.
I am enjoying it.
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Post by elizabeth_h on Jan 14, 2011 16:13:21 GMT -5
I am halfway through Freedom, which we are reading for my book club. I am so-so on it right now, kind of like I was about his previous book. The writing is excellent, but I always find his characters unlikeable so I find I don't care what happens to them. We'll see how the rest of the book goes!
I am on the library waiting list for the Ken Follett book.
I recently finished the Farseer trilogy by Robin Hobb, and totally LOVED it. If you like fantasy-type stuff at all I would recommend those (and all her other stuff).
I am also on book 3 of the Temeraire series (His Majesty's Dragon, etc.), which is historical fiction set in the Napoleonic War but written as if dragons had existed and fought in the war. It's pretty fun reading, and I think the first book is free on Kindle if you want to sample the series (5).
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Post by Bara on Jan 16, 2011 10:39:18 GMT -5
I've just finished 'In the Shadow of the Dream Child', which is wonderful. It exposes all the rumours and myths which surrounded Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson) and the Liddell family, with contemporary pictures.
It's a far cry from Johnny Depp, much as I love him.
ps, Niaru - you should publish that book, if your Dad hasn't done it already.
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Post by Goalie on Jan 16, 2011 10:54:10 GMT -5
Right now I am reading "My Stroke of Insight' by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. It is a Brain Scientist's personal journey.
A real eye opener, as she was only 37 when she experienced a massive stroke.
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Post by niaru on Jan 16, 2011 11:16:13 GMT -5
Bara, my dad has published it but in a very condensed, and limited edition. It's quite a read. Can you imagine they were sent to combat on Peugeot folding bicycles?!!
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Post by Bara on Jan 16, 2011 11:35:34 GMT -5
Strangely enough, I recently watched a documentary, where I saw the contemporary footage of that flotilla of bicylces. I'm sorry, I don't remember what it was called, but it was on the 'Discovery' channel.
It's only because of War Horse that I've started looking at 'The Great War'. Apart from the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, I don't even really know what it was about. WWII is quite clear in my mind (that was my parents' war.)
As usual, you guys and Belgium were right in the middle of it. I'd love to see extracts from that book.
For everyone else, your US Marines came in and shared the trauma.
I don't think we should do this again, do you?
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Post by pinkdaisy on Jan 16, 2011 11:46:55 GMT -5
I tend to flip back and forth between something fluffy and something enriching.
The fluffy books lately are anything by Maeve Binchy or Jodi Picoult. Right now I'm reading Firefly Summer by Maeve Binchy. It's one of the older ones; I much prefer her newer stuff.
The other books I'm working on right now are the Chronicles of Narnia. I felt like I owed it to myself to read them again.
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Post by brooks on Jan 16, 2011 12:53:10 GMT -5
Most recent
'The Dawn Treader' part of Narnia
'The Shelters of Stone'of The Clan of the Cave Bears
I finished the 'In the Shadow of the Dream Child' Thanks Bara for sending that I loved it.
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Post by Bara on Jan 16, 2011 13:27:50 GMT -5
Glad you liked it, Brooks! I found this, Claire : homepage.mac.com/oldtownman/ww1/bicycle.htmlWe lost 1 million horses. 16million casualties and deaths amongst the allies and civilians. I still don't know what we were fighting about. |
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Post by niaru on Jan 16, 2011 15:45:16 GMT -5
Very interesting link Bara, thanks! I'll show it to Dad, he's a history buff. If you PM me your address I will send you the book, since Dad still has a few copies. It's in French but I'm sure you can manage  Ken Follet in his book makes it very clear how ABSURD this war was, and how EASILY it could have been prevented or at least shortened, if men had been less proud / arrogant etc. *sigh* |
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Post by Bara on Jan 17, 2011 8:25:05 GMT -5
Oh, that is more than generous, Niaru! I would love to see your dad's book. I'm sure I'll manage, written French is so much easier to follow than a fast conversation ...  Make sure that he is ok with that, though? I'll pm my address, but won't be atall offended if your dad is not keen! |
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Post by Lis on Jan 17, 2011 16:06:31 GMT -5
If you like Robin Hobb, you may like Kate Elliot as well. Two of my favorites, I think I've read almost everything both has written.
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