... waitng 23th , courier services donÂt work on Sunday in
Italy

I meant Saturday

grelobe

Pam, I haven't read The Spirit Catches You ... but it's on my list. I've also heard good things about it.

Finished Center of Everything by Laura Moriaty. Started out very good, then about half way through she suddenly starts skipping through an entire decade, leaving huge gaps in the story. I skimmed much of the last part.

Veer: You're in very good company! A.S. Bayatt is baffled by the HP phenomenon. She was on a local cable channel giving a talk at Queens College (NY City). In the Q&A period afterwards someone asked what she thought of the HP books. ASB said [paraphrasing] -- "They're just a re-working of the old English boarding school stories which have been around forever...I'm mystified by their popularity. ..." She went on to recommend children's book authors she does enjoy reading. One was Terry Pratchett.

Altho' I do like two of the HP movies, after I read only a fourth way into the 1st HP book, it suddenly "died" on me. Don't know why. Ever since then I haven't had a desire to try another HP book. After seeing ASByatt on TV, I tried several Terry Pratchett books. They are wonderful! --- have depth, complexity of characterization, atmosphere, fantastic-yet-easy-to-imagine sense of place, and "adult" humour (would "go over a child's head", so not to worry). I've read several Pratchett novels so far, and only one didn't "work" for me. "The Color of Magic" is a real winner!

I finished Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagen, which was good but not quite as interesting as I thought it would be. I then picked up Whack-a-Mole, the third in the series by Chris Grabenstein about two cops on the beat at the Jersey shore. One cop is a seasoned veteran with a strict code of honor and one an earnest new recruit. I really love this light, fun series and this installment did not disappoint.

I then tried to get interested in Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson, a Norwegian novel which won some sort of literary award. The writing is quite poetic and IÂm sure a more evolved reader would enjoy it, but it bored the pants off of me and I had to set it aside about 1/3 the way in. IÂve picked up a good mystery from the library now, A Welcome Grave by Michael Koryta. IÂve loved the other two in this series so IÂm sure IÂll enjoy this one.

And count me as another one whoÂs never read Harry Potter, although I can appreciate the appeal. IÂm all stocked up on reading materials so I can avoid the madness at the bookstores this weekend.

We just saw the HP movie, and its excellent. Its a stand alone, so even if you haven't read the books, you can pretty much figure out whats happening.

laura, I read Pratchett novels when I could find them; at that time only a few were published in the states. So I started at Small Gods and never got around to reading the first couple until I found them in Britain. Color of Magic is the first, and while it was ok, I don't think it has quite the spark of his latter ones. I think he starts getting really good around Carpe Jungulum. The early ones are still fun to read, but if anyone wanted to know where to start, I'd have them go a bit later, maybe to Small Gods.

Oh BTW, you know he has a new one coming out in October? While I was looking for the link, I found this interesting article which follows what you were mentioning, laurie.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pratchett takes a swipe at Rowling

They have moved the release date to Sept 1!

Here is a link that might be useful: Making Money

Have been reading The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler which I originally took out of the library as a 'light' book to take on holiday. Found it more enjoyable than I expected and KJF has quite a witty turn of phrase.
Will someone please tell me about this 'Valley' expression to do with all things Californian? Is it a geographical location (and if so where) or more a way of life?

Also tried, but failed to get into, Alexander McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street.
After meeting Armistead Maupin, A. McCS had a go at writing a serialised novel in the daily paper 'The Scotsman' and this is what appeared in book form.
Perhaps I should have read a chapter a day during a coffee break so my expectations would have been lower.

Have just bought The Life of Sir Thomas More by Peter Ackroyd and am still dipping into Pursuit of Glory: Europe 1648-1815 by Tim Blenning.
cece, if your daughter is still studying history she would find it an excellent introduction to that period, with its short, concise chapters on different aspects of life. For eg. I have found out that Spain had NO roads except a very few connecting the various Royal palaces, leading to a a great ignorance among its people . . . hardly any news ever reached them!
Not such a bad thing in our 'over-newsed' times!

San Fernando Valley. I think the British equivalent for "Valley Girl" is "Sloan Ranger."

Maybe not: Sloane Ranger

Then again: Valley Girl

No, haven't read any HP books, but am curious. Still, it seems like there are so many other books to keep me busy that it's unlikely that I will pick them up. Anything that keeps people reading is fine with me though.

Thought I would pick up "The Firm" by John Grisham -- old I know.But for some reason haven't been able to get into it so have put it down and picked up the first of the Amistead Maupin books about Tales of the City. Looking forward to that series.

Also just started my new job so my reading time has been curtailed. For some reason, they expect me to work for my money instead of read. Go figure.

:-)

liz

Going to try Poe's Shadow for a book group discussion. I loved Poe, read him all in college,even listened to a couple of his poems turned into songs (notably Annabell Lee and Bells), but never thought to look deeper into his life. This could be interesting.

Ok, now that the 7th HP book's taken care of, my life can go on. I've picked up Manchester's A World Lit Only By Fire. The thread on biographies and autobiographies got my mind on to Manchester and an old dear friend who recommended this same book YEARS ago just recently passed away so I thought I'd pick it up again.

Am almost finished with "The Wayward Muse" by Eliz. Hickey. This is the fictionalized story of the Pre-Raphaelite group of artists, which included William Morris, father of the Arts & Crafts Movement. Specifically, it is the story of a Jane Burden of Oxford slums, an "ugly duckling" type who became the darling of Daniel Gabriel Rosetti and his artist friends, who painted her as Guinevere. She later had a loveless marriage with Wm. Morris and bore him 2 children, but her relationship with Rosetti continued. I think anyone with an interest in the actual movements in the history of art would find the book intriguing. It made me run to my own art books and seek out the paintings of some of these Maverick artists, specifically the one of Jane as Guinevere....

Dynomutt, LOL, now life can go on! That's pretty accurate, though.

After roaring through HP and the Deathly Hallows yesterday, I took a day to recuperate, and will probably finish a book of essays by Michael Perry entitled Off Main Street later tonight. While the essays don't hang together super-well as a book, they are well written and interesting stand-alones. I really like this writer, and his other book, Population 485 about his hometown in Wisconsin will be next.

Sheriz6 --

Yep, that's pretty accurate. Thing is, I find that this series of books is perfect for when you feel like screaming "STOP THE WORLD! I WANT TO GET OFF!" The books have this quality of immersing you and you feel like .... you've taken a holiday from the real world. Well, it does that for me anyway. (It's also a heck of a lot cheaper than going away for the weekend!)

Dynomutt, that's it exactly, they are a complete escape and so easy to fall into. I definitely have a Harry Potter hang-over today!

Been working my way through the "Tales from the City" series by Armistead Maupin and loving it. Couldn't stop reading it this weekend and had a great time. It really sucked me into their world and I am hoping I can find the rest of the series at the library. I only have the first four right now....

I read Tales of the City several years and loved it - I am going to read his new book as soon as I get a moment. Thank you for reminding me to request it from the library. Hmmmm, maybe I will re-read one or two of them. I remember laughing so hard.

I'm re-reading the new Harry Potter right now!

After finishing the new Harry Potter Saturday afternoon, I'm finding it hard to jump back into what I was reading when Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows was placed in my sweaty little hands. Going from the magical world of J.K. Rowling to the seedy underbelly of Katrina-devastated New Orleans in James Lee Burke's The Tin Roof Blowdown has been difficult, even though Burke weaves his own sort of magic. I expect I'll be re-reading The Deathly Hallows again very soon since I'm having such a hard time letting go.

Yes, an HP hangover is a good way to put it. Unfortunately, I'm now back in the more mundane (and infinitely more sedate) world of clients and deadlines and ..... and .....

darn it, I want more HP. ;-)

I, too, didn't want to read anything after finishing up Harry Potter. I felt depressed and I was in a total funk. A hangover is a good way to put it, but I felt like I just got back from a funeral... like I was physically here but I was mentally detached.

But I just read that Rowling is going to take a break and then start working on "Hogwart's: A History". I don't know anything else, but it could be fun.

PAM

I'm reading Austenland by Shannon Hale. It's a novel about a woman who vacations in a country home that offers a fantasy Regency-era atmosphere. Although this is not at all the sort of book I would normally read, I am enjoying it quite a bit!

And re-reading Deathly Hallows, of course!

cindy - Would love to know what you think of Poe's Shadow by Matthew Pearl. I have read The Dante Club by the same author, and was glad that I did.( I have a special interest in The Divine Comedy) There are some references to Poe in The Dante Club. tkh

Been ploughing my way through the magificent series "Tales of the City" -- read the first three, nearly finished the fourth and by a stroke of luck, managed to find the fifth, sixth and then the most recently released one at the library today. I was so chuffed and it really made my day. Plus one of the books I ordered from amazon came in today so I am one happy camper.

No if only I could get more reading time....!

IÂm deeply engrossed in Storm Front by Jim Butcher, the first in The Dresden Files series. These books seem to be an interesting combination of crime fiction and fantasy. The main character is Harry Dresden, a wizard who rents himself out for paranormal investigations, and also consults for the Chicago P.D. IÂm about 1/3 through this first one and am enjoying it so much I went tonight to buy the next two in the series. There is a tiny faery named Toot that I really loved, and hope he is a recurring character. I understand there is a Sci-Fi channel series based on these books but IÂve never seen it. I may have to tune in now.

thykras, I'll keep you posted - tho school is about to start soon, so my reading time is going to be cut short, darn it.

I am now reading, or rather devouring, His Majesty's Dragon. At first I wasn't interested in another dragon story; I'd read all of McCafferty's books and had my fill. But my sci fi book group read it last month, and their discussion convinced me to try. I am very glad I did!

Cindy, His Majesty's Dragon is fun. I read the first three this summer, and was unexpectedly delighted with them. They're fluffy when it comes right down to it, but great escapist fun. Actually, I found them to be more in the vein of good, old fashioned historical adventure than fantasy. There's a fourth one coming out in a few months. The first one is probably the best in the series so far.

I've been exploring some of Philip K. Dick's books. Recently read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and really liked it (don't expect it to be quite like the film, Blade Runner, though). I have the recent Modern Library edition that contains four of Dick's novels, and hope to read The Man in the High Castle and Ubik very soon.

georgia, fantasy books used to be my bread and butter reads, but after I while I burnt out on them. This one is rather refreshing.

Those of you reading Tales in the City, did you read his Night Listener? The story he centers around is based on a true story. Very good - tho I could have done without the narrators heart broken angst, way over done. I did read the original Tales of the City, thought them fun at the time, but I don't have a desire to read the new one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Night Listener

Just picked up Perfume : Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind. The movie was recommended to me on another board on this website so I thought I'd pick up the book first. I've also picked up The Historian. If I like that, I might consider The Thirteenth Tale. I know that The Historian is one of those books that you either like or you hate. But what about The Thirteenth Tale?

dynomutt, I enjoyed The Thirteenth Tale - I wouldn't put it on my very favourites list, but it was well written and entertaining.

After finishing HP, I thought I might have trouble picking the next one to read, but on Thursday the next Daniel Silva, The Secret Servant turned up, so I am reading that. Next, I will turn to a Next - First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde is also in *g*

Dyno, a few months ago janalyn (where has she gone?) gave me a hard time because I picked too many holes in the 'Thirteenth Tale'. It is way too much of a girlie and whimpy book for you . . .even though you have admitted to reading Enid Blyton as a child, for which you may be forgiven.

Dyno, for whatever it's worth, I loved "The Historian." It was almost my "ideal" read. If you have an interest in the historical Vlad the Impaler/Dracula, you might enjoy it.

Thanks for the feedback and advice! I really appreciate it. I think I'll stick with reading The Historian for now and, if I like it (I'll keep you posted -- I like history and epic books), I might consider The Thirteenth Tale.

That being said, I'm really beginning to enjoy this Suskind book.

As for Enid Blyton, I blame my sister and my mom. I blame my mom for buying the darned things and my sister for recommending it to me. I was young! I'm putting that down as one of my "youthful indiscretions". ;-)

Ok, I've just finished Suskind's book, Perfume : Story of a Murdered. Has anyone else read this book? If so, I'd like to know your take on it.

I found the book, er ..... ummmm ..... unusual. Interesting. Well-written, I think, in that it kept you wanting to find out what happens but ..... there's something vaguely unsettling about the whole story. Is it just me or, after you've read the book, do you feel vaguely .... dirty and disgusted? It's strangely unsatisfying but weirdly so.

The discussions of both The Historian and The Thirtheenth Tale are still available here.

Gaiman's Stardust is coming Auguat 10 to a multiplex near you.

Dynomutt, I read Perfume several months ago and liked it except for the ending. It was so outrageous that it took me by surprise, but I liked the book nevertheless.

As far as The Thirteenth Tale goes, I thought it was okay, but it didn't make my favorite-reads list for the year. That goes for The Historian as well. I enjoyed it but thought that it would have benefited from a good editor.

>few months ago janalyn (where has she gone?) gave me a hard time because I picked too many holes in the 'Thirteenth Tale'

I saw the same holes, and while sometimes I can overlook them (did it in Tim Travelers Wife), I was really underimpressed by this book. As far as Historian, started it, and dropped it when the story within a story became another story.....

chris, I saw the trailer for Stardust yesterday; oh it looks good!

Dyno, I read "Perfume" when it first came out and felt the same way you did. Try seeing the film and see what you think....

Finished His Majesty's Dragon; I can't say I liked it much but I kept reading because I wanted to see if she'd finally get in a battle or two. Her endless descriptions of the day to day life of the aviators and the training was a bit much. Plus the bonding between Laurence and the dragon was just more than a little weird; he called the dragon 'my dear' and treated him more like a spoiled cat than a battle ready dragon, and he preferred to spend time with the dragon than with his colleagues. Plus he had no personality; just arrogant and rather boring. Pity because the writing was good and she did some neat things in the story. I loved her descriptions of the dragon breeds and what skills each one is known for. But there was just too much not to like.

Now reading The Preservationist by David Maine. Its a retelling of the story of Noah and the ark. Good writing, good imagining how it might have worked. I think I still like Canadian Timothy Findley's version Not wanted on the voyage better (tho it is creepier and more disturbing), but I am liking this just fine. Oh, and the cover is one of the most creative I have seen

Here is a link that might be useful: The Preservationist

woodnymph2 --

I think you're right -- I'll have to see the movie. The book was, as I said, somewhat disturbing.

As for The Historian, well, I do have one regret. I regret that I started the darned thing on a Sunday when I know I have :

a) work to do this weekend
b) work on Monday

I'm on page 400 and I haven't done any of my work this weekend and I'm considering calling in sick tomorrow. ;-)

I can see how the story within a story within multiple stories can get frustrating. That being said, I think it the same device was used in Shadow of the Wind and I did enjoy that book.

Just ditched the trilogy of Foundation by Asimov . I read Foundation and I quit them when I was
halfaway through The Foundation and the Empire; I enjoyed the series when I read them more than
twenty years ago, but at the moment I found them too "episodics" and not so riveting

IÂm leaving to my loved mountains the day after tomorrow, and IÂm taking along,

four Graham Greene novels: - The Heart of the Matter (a re-read) - The Human Factor (also a re-read)
- The Ministry of Fear - and - Monsignor Quixote

two George OrwellÂs - Burmese Day (re-read) and - Coming up for Air

Robertson Davies - Fifth Business

Alasdair Gray - Poor Things;
IÂm really intrigued by this one.
From the back cover
What strange secret made beautiful, tempestuos Bella Baxter irresistible to the poor medical student
Archie McCandless? Was it her queer origin in the home of monstruos Godwin Baxter, the genius
whose voice could perforate eardrums? This story of love and scientific daring storms through
Victorian operating theatres, continental Casinos and a Parisian brothel to its happy end in a decent,
old fashioned Scottish marriage

I don't think I'll read them all, but, just in case...

grelobe

I took a breather after finishing "The Final Potter" and have now started The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall. I can't remember where I heard about this book (I usually leave a note on my list but for some reason failed to this time) but the premise intrigues me. It is a murder mystery with a "progressive amnesiac." One of my all-time favorite movies is Memento where the main character has a major problem with his short term memory.

So far so good although I keep yelling at the main character because he keeps making the opposite decisions that I would make. Oh well.

Barly, I read The Raw Shark Texts not too long ago and found it interesting. Weird premise, but I think he carried it off fairly well. I'll be interested in your input as to the ending, which I couldn't quite figure out.

Read The Dogs Who Came To Stay by George Pitcher in one sitting and am now halfway through Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. These two books are a great follow-up to finishing Harry Potter as both provide a look into completely different worlds. I just got an email that Suite Francais is ready for me at the library so I have more reading ahead.

Finally after several abortive attempts to read Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, I made it past the dystopian beginnings to finish with eagerness. "Like" and "enjoy" are not words I'd use with the novel, but I did appreciate it greatly. Atwood's writing is always a treat. The issues surprised me, coming as they did from a 1985 novel. I guess Atwood was fearful at the time of losing the strides women had recently made. I suspect the issues resonated for me more now, with the thread of Jihad, than they would have 20 years ago. I'd like to point out that as good at the novel is, it is also almost identical in many aspects to Robert Heinlein's novella If This Goes On --- written 20 years earlier. The military arm of the theocratic government is called Angels of the Lord in both. Women have become mere vessels in both. The underground plays a strong role in both. Seriously, there are overwhelming similarities in the books.

> I guess Atwood was fearful at the time of losing the strides women had recently made.

Trying desparately not to get into the issues, but I reread HT recently for a book group, and that fear was even stronger for many of us today. What I thought was a fable in college, is getting scarier. Glad you finally read it - have you read her other work? She is a very good writer, one who I enjoy so much I usually don't bat an eye about getting the newest one (tho I did get burnt with Orayx and Crak or whatever it was called)

Cindy, I liked Oryx and Crake quite a bit. I think RP had a discussion thread on it when it was published.

The Handmaid's Tale was the first Atwood I ever tried, and unable to get past the first few pages, I never sought out her other work. A scheduled discussion here on The Robber Bride encouraged me to try her again and I've gone on to read most of her work. One of the many things for which I am grateful to RP and the folks who hang out here. Still, the only reason I went back to try The Handmaid's Tale again was for a bookclub. And wouldn't you know, August's meeting was postponed due to vacations!

I just returned from a month away myself and read the Atwood on Monday for a bookclub meeting on Wednesday and then read The Painted Veil Tuesday for a bookclub meeting on Thursday. I loved The Painted Veil! Books on redemption are among my favorites and this has, after all, been the month of HP and of Lord Jim for me. I look forward to reading more of Maugham.

chris, I'll answer you on the new thread