NOVEMBER READS

[rapa]

RABBIT RABBIT RABBIT and “Hello November!”

This is a time we give thanks for our joys and memories. Let’s also remember our veterans who have served to preserve our liberties and those who currently serve to maintain them.

Hope you’re finding some reading time. Recently I read two books, both on the best seller lists, and can’t decide which had the sicker story-line. The books are Lee Child’s MAKE ME and Karin Slaughter’s PRETTY GIRLS Both books were fairly mild until the final third and then “BAM!”. Anyone else read these?

[Mandy Muffin]

Have a great birthday.  Keep on reading!!! So many books; so little time.

[Carci]

belated Happy B-day rapa... hope you had a wonderful day

for some reason I am not getting the post notices anymore and have been wondering why bookies were so quiet lately...  NOT!

[rapa]

Yesterday picked up Nicholas Sparks SEE ME and the new Jonathan Kellerman release THE GOLEM OF PARIS. Am looking for some easy reading for awhile. Did return the new John Irving unread as need to rest the brain for now.

Holiday time approaching and reading time may be taking a back seat temporarily. Please stay in touch with our group, if only to say "Hello!"

[Gloria Helmer / Datsunlvr]

Well, it took me a little longer to read Dan Brown's Angels and Demons that I anticipated, but that's life 101 for ya. Anyway, again, they took liberties in the content with the movie, but at least they got the science aspect of it right. But then Tom Hanks would have insisted on that at least. I must say, I have truly enjoyed his work over the years, ever since I first saw him and Darryl Hannah making such a Splash ... LOL! In Angels and Demons, Dan Brown voices the fears of some that science is moving ahead too fast as well as delving into mysteries that some think should be left to our Creator. He portrays the Catholic Church as being a backward looking institution badly in need of a new and inspiring leadership. I not sure if the modernizing changes that have been made in recent years were inspired by such writers, or if those changes have inspired such novels. One thing for sure, novels are just that, works of fiction. Powerful influences at times, but ultimately they should be regarded as entertainment for the mind, meant to get us thinking. In no way are they meant to make up our minds for us. After reading these first two, I'm kind of wondering what controversy he'll come up with in our nation's capitol. Onward to Washington! I'm starting The Lost Symbol later today...

[Gloria Helmer / Datsunlvr]

By the way Rapa, I tried to wish you a happy birthday on F.B., but I'm not sure if the problems I've had lately with F.B. has allowed my message to appear. Anyway, in case it didn't, I certainly hope your birthday was all you wished for and then some! Many more happy returns!

[Mandy Muffin]

Tragic authors and their legacies:  I started off the month with Jeffery Archer, an icon of British literature, famous his "rags to riches" tales. "The Clifton Chronicles," now a six book series, tells of a young man born in poverty, but the illegitimate son of a shipping magnate.  I enjoyed the first two books in the series: "Only Time Will Tell" and "Sins of the Fathers."  Archer is a mysterious figure, a member of British nobility who lost a libel suit without putting up a defense and was sentenced to four years in prison.

Now I am reading "Icy Sparks" by a fellow Kentucky author, Gwyn Hyman Rubio, who is the daughter of Max Hyman who wrote "No Time For Sergeants."  He is a tragic figure, who never could follow up with another novel and died at 39.  Rubio continues to write stories about Appalachia and Kentucky, a couple of my favorite places.  This Oprah Book Club pick deals with Torrent's syndrome.

 

[Carci]

Finished Drop Shot by Harlan Coben, one of his wise-cracking Myron Bolitar novels.  It was a nice change of pace. His sidekick, Win, reminds me of Nate Romanowski in the Joe Pickett series by C.J.Box because neither of them have any moral compass and will take down anyone who threatens their friend.

I am now reading Early One Morning by Virginia Baily, a WWII novel set in Italy.  The time jumps between 1943 and 1973 without any notification so it can be a bit confusing until you get used to her style. I am enjoying the story so far but am only about 50 pages into it...

[grammyk]

Just finished "Notorious RBG - the Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" and really enjoyed it.  I don't read a lot of biographies but saw an interview with the authors of this one and was intrigued.  What an impressive woman Justice Ginsburg is!

And finished it just in time, as several new books are waiting for me at the Library - Rogue Lawyer, Depraved Heart, A Small Indiscretion, and a few more.  Why do they come in all at once?

[Carolyn Tewell]

In case things get too hectic in the next couple weeks...THANKS for all the insight on reading materials this year:

Flower, RAPA, Mandy, CARCI, Lip Service, Eaglewoman, Loruach, Grammy, Slopok, Glenda, Gloria and anyone I miss!!!

I have The Life We Bury to start this week. Also the Greg Isles Audiobook 22 discs! Title not available as it is at the Office. Been listening to Jonathan Kellerman's mysteries on Audio. Have the 2015 and 2014 to handle this week. One is called KILLER...forget other title (I am so helpful?). Full reports to come.

While watching the news over weekend read Ted Kopple's LIGHTS OUT...which is a warning about how the US would cope if an enemy damaged our electric grid. Rather coincidental that I was watching an attack on the "City of Lights."

Leave the light on for me....Carolyn

[rapa]

Am half finished Nicolas Sparks SEE ME. It's almost 500 pages but easy reading. David Baldacci's new release GUILTY awaits me at the library. Now to find some reading time! Usually read at the gym but recently have had some interesting chatters stop at my machine. Good stories everywhere!

[Slopok]

Just checking in. Reading Red Cell by Mark Henshaw. It's a Kindle cheapy, ok but not a page turner:

When a raid on Chinese spies in Taiwan ends in a shoot-out and the release of a deadly chemical, CIA director Kathy Cooke turns to the Red Cell to figure out why China is ready to invade the island nation without any fear of reprisal from the US Navy. Stryker and Burke’s only lead is the top CIA asset in China, code named Pioneer. But when Pioneer reports that Chinese security has him under surveillance, Stryker is offered a chance for redemption with a highly dangerous mission: extract Pioneer from China before he’s arrested and executed. The answers he holds could mean the difference between peace in the Pacific or another world war. 

Also reading,The Elegant Universe: Superstrings.hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory by Brian Greene also taking some courses taught by Greene on worldscienceu.com ...Gotta keep the old brain in gear.

 

[Ioruach]

Slopok, I read (or maybe should say, tried to read) The Elegant Universe shortly after it was published some years ago. Superstring Theory has always fascinated me and has led me to delve into some of its off shoots such as "M" Theory and the like. That's where I look for answers to questions such as, why are we here? and how did we get here?. All that deep stuff that helps keep the rain in gear.