After struggling mightily with the never-ending self-centered "me-me-me" of "Eat, Love, Pray", I put it down in disgust. I made it through Italy, then halfway through India, but the author is so self-focused, it was driving me crazy. Plus she never seemed to make any progress on her drive to self improvement. I suppose she does by the end, but goodness gracious me, the reader has given up long before then.

Back to the TBR pile....

lemon, sorry you didn't like Eat, Love, Pray. I tried to read it and had the exact same feelings... in fact, I think it should be called, Eat, Pray, Buy My Book.

Finished The Wrong Mother by Sophie Hannah. Started out great. Went downhill from there. She had a great idea for a plot, but wayyyy too many characters than she could handle and most of them seemed to have nicknames so I'm still not sure which was which. Don't care, either. A strong editor could have helped her through and taught her many valuable lessons along the way. Sadly, I cannot recommend this book to anyone. Sorry... I was so excited about it at first.

Now reading Barbara Hamilton's The Ninth Daughter. This is a new book and the first in a new mystery series set in Boston during the years before the Revolutionary War in the USA. The main characters are Abigail Adams, who is our MAIN character, and Paul Revere, Sam and John Adams are also featured. I am on page 90, and so far, I like it. Seems to be well-researched and nicely done.

PAM

Twobigdogs, did you ever see Barbara Hambly's historical mystery series? Stars Benjamin January, a free man of color in New Orleans circa 1830s. Title of the first volume (complete, now, at about nine)is, oddly enough, A Free Man of Color. Well researched, fun reading, good American history info.

After the debacle of "Eat Love Pray", I moved on hopefully to "The Book of Ebenezer Le Page" by GB Edwards. Interesting so far and written in a dialect which is a mix of French and English which shouldn't be surprising considering the book is set in Guernsey....

Only on page 20 or so, but picked it up at lunchtime and was filled with regret that lunch is only 60 minutes long as I would have loved to continue reading it all day...

balrog, Thanks! I had never heard of it but will gladly check it out next time I'm at the library. And a series of nine should keep me happy for AT LEAST two weeks...kidding...with my current schedule, I am lucky to find 30 minutes a day in which to induldge in my passion for reading.
PAM

While on vacation, I read the two old, used paperbacks my daughter brought me from Powell's Bookstore in Portland, OR. One was Death Cap by June Thomson, an English village mystery; and the other was The Smiling Medusa by Jean Muir published in 1969. Frieda, it is a damsel in distress story a la Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt. It made me nostalgic for the 60s-70s when you could go into any bookstore and buy them by the dozen for 50 cents apiece.

Also read two Michael Connelly books, The Brass Verdict and City of Bones, both of which I enjoyed. I haven't read many of his books but will look for them at the library now.

I finally got around to reading Girl with a Pearl Earring and loved it, watched the movie and hated it. I don't think I even made it through the entire film. Anyway not sure what's next. Might read Memory Keeper's Daughter or Atonement but we'll see.
I'm enjoying reading and then watching film adaptations, but I may have to stop doing that as it seems to make me hate the movies terribly....but I find it strangely addicting.
I also have a lenghty list of TBR to go at, but am in the mood for something new, I may just have to take a trip to the library and and see what catches my eye

I'm reading Baghdad Without a Map and other misadventures by Tony Horwitz who happens to be Geraldine Brook s husband(March; People of the book; Year of Wonders; ect) . He wrote the book in 1991 and tell about his experiences in that area in a witty and ironic way; but why he was over there? Here his own words Some men follow their dreams, some their instinct, some the beat of a private drummer. I had a habit of following my wife.

grelobe

OK. It would be helpful to have some memory of the eight years of French I took in school while I am reading Ebenezer La Page. Lots of French phrases that i can only guess at.... Sigh.

Pam, thanks for the follow-up on "The Wrong Mother". It's a rare book that can sustain that level of suspense and intrigue throughout. I'm trying to think of a novel that did that for me...(racks brain).

I just picked up a mystery/thriller book "No Time for Goodbye" by Linwood Barclay (Canadian) about a 14-year-old girl who wakes up one morning to find her entire family has vanished without a trace and "Twenty-five years later, Cynthia is still looking for answers. Now she is about to learn the devastating truth." Reader reviews on amazon etc. seem mostly positive so I'm hoping I won't be disappointed!

stoneangel, I read No Time for Goodbye. Keep us posted. I am interested to hear your opinions.

PAM

I listened to Greg Iles Pure Evil. I kept falling asleep and waking up 3 hours later and found I hadn't missed anything important that wasn't quickly rehashed or hadn't been predicted early on. Characterizations were awful. Stereotype doesn't go far enough. Caricatures, that's who peopled this book. I was so hoping for a new thriller writer I could enjoy.

Reading The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society, and enjoying it.

Stoneangel..."No Time For Goodbye" remains in my top 20 of Modern fiction...maybe even top 10.

I read "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"--which was really interesting I thought.
Just finished "Loving Frank"--a book about Frank Lloyd Wright and his love affair. I had no idea what happened throughout his life so I was surprised by all the hardships he went through.
Now reading "Unaccustomed Earth," just started, no opinion yet.

>And a series of nine should keep me happy for AT LEAST two weeks

Fortunately (or un- ) it's not one of those series that grabs you by the throat and demands to be read, schedule be damned; just good, solid historical mystery. Hambly's very first book was a historical mystery, set among early Christians in Rome, but after that she wrote (very good) fantasy for about twenty years, only coming back to historicals recently. She recently published a novelistic life of Mary Todd Lincoln, so I think she's staying with American history for the time being.

Enjoy!

Also reading "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe on DailyLit. Once I had the hang of the dialect it was written, it has turned into a good read. Just trying to work my way though some classics.

I am still reading Heaven's Command, which I find needs to be read slowly for full enjoyment. In the meantime I have finished Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett, a classic hard-boiled detective novel that I found enjoyable in spite of all the violence.

Next up is The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson. The movie premiers here on October 1st and I want to finish the book before I see it.

Listened to The Horse Boy by Rupert Isaacson, a story of the author's fight to help his autistic son. He discovered that his son responded to horses, and they to him, and this led to taking him to Mongolia to undergo shamanic ceremonies and spend days riding across the steppe (although his son preferred the van). My reaction to this story surprised me - I was alternately inspired, moved, and repelled. I wonder how a parent of an autistic child would react to this story. Most people would not have a prayer of obtaining this type of healing therapy, and I wonder if anything they learned has a wider application. Well, the book certainly made me think, which is always good. The author has also made a movie of this experience.

I just read over the above paragraph and it sounds a bit cold, but I don't want to give away any of the story in case someone wants to read it.

netla, do you know if the movie will open world-wide? Just wondering if we in the US will get it.

I've just spent the past few days reading The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. It is told from several viewpoints, a technique which normally I dislike acutely, but it did seem to suit this story. It has elements of mystery, of obsession, and of self-discovery. I found it to be well done.

Rosefolly

Rosefolly, I really liked The Forgotten Garden. And her first book, The House at Riverton was even better (IMHO). I hope Kate Morton will continue to write more.
At the moment I'm reading Alice Hoffman's The Story Sisters. It's quite dark and tragic. TBR next will be The Book Thief.

I just finished my first book by Michael Koryta called A Welcome Grave. It was quite good, well written and plotted, although none of the characters appealed to me much.

That book by Kate Morton is another example of title change for no apparent reason. The House at Riverton is called The Shifting Fog in Australia.

I've had a solid, gold week with two good books read back-to-back.

First, I picked up Andrew Davidson's The Gargoyle, a debut that was prominently hyped last year, so I wasn't sure how it would be, but I really liked it. It's not for the faint of heart, being about a burn victim, and his medical treatment is graphically described, but it's full of interesting juxtapositions and there's even some dark humor. I really enjoyed it. I think it's a love it or be instantly turned off it kind of book though.

Secondly, being in the mood for something spooky, I picked up Caitlin Kiernan's The Red Tree, and thought it was quite good. I really don't read Horror that often, but this is a book that defies categorization and is perhaps best described as psychological. A forty-something author goes into seclusion at an old farmhouse in Rhode Island to finish her next novel (which doesn't seem to be forthcoming) and also to get over the trauma of her former lover's suicide. She finds a manuscript left by the former tenant which tells of the ghoulish folklore around a large, old oak tree on the property. It also seems her landlord failed to tell her that the former tenant committed suicide while writing the history of the big, red oak. If you don't mind metafictive constructs, I highly recommend this one. I'll be looking for more Kiernan after this. Frieda, you might actually be interested in this one. There are more than a few nods to Picnic at Hanging Rock in it.

Woodnymph, I don't know. I checked IMDb for the first film, but they didn't list a US release date. The second film premiered in Sweden yesterday and only has confirmed openings in 7 other countries, all in Europe. I do hope you will get to see the films - the first one is quite good (I just got back from seeing it), if long, and very faithful to the book.

Finished off "The Life of Ebenezer Le Page" which was good in the end (a nice unexpected twist) so thanks to Vee who recommended it (I think).

Also finished off the collection of essays and recommendations from Michael Dirda called "Book By Book".

Now reading "Arlington Park" by Rachel Cusk. I started it last night and I think it will be good, although I can tell I will have to read "Mrs Dalloway" next since there is clearly some influence from that book into this one and I am missing a lot of the connections through unfamiliarity with the original source.

Been collecting a small pile of books for reading on the plane to England on Thursday - trying to have a mix of old and new, non-fiction and fiction, plus some podcasts on an iPod. Don't want to be stuck over the Atlantic with nothing to read...Horrors!

I am reading City of Thieves by David Benioff the premises are : in Leningrade during the NaziÂs siege two men find themselves in a cell, one of them is charged of looting a naziÂs dead pilot, the other one is deem as a disertor, but instead of being executed they are given a shot at saving their own lives by complaying with an outrageous directive; secure a dozen eggs for a powerful Soviet colonel to use in his daughterÂs wedding cake.
The author , David Benioff has also written The 25th Hours , both the book and the movie screenplay
grelobe

Close to finishing "Arlington Park" by Rachel Cusk who seems to be one of the most unhappy unsatisfied people I have ever read about. There was an interview I found where she came across as a grumpy sullen young spoiled woman and this is exactly what Arlington Park is all about. I suppose I will finish the book now, as I am so close to the end, but I will not be reading her other books.

Also reading "Uncle Tom's Cabin" through DailyLit and loving it.... Have never read it before so it's a treat.

Finished The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society, and liked it more than most books read this year.

Now reading Country Wives by Rebecca Shaw, the 2nd book in the Barleyridge series, about a veterinary practice in Yorkshire. Good so far.

Finished A Duty to the Dead by Charles Todd (actually a mother-son writing team). IMHO, just okay. Promising start but not really very compelling. Back to the library today.

Now I have Anam Cara by John O'Donohue, the poet/philosopher who died so unexpectedly earlier this year. His writing is unique, a kind of combination prayer and stream of consciousness. He certainly has some beautiful thoughts and ideas.

It's all in the timing...while returning books to the library, I spotted Larsson's The Girl Who Played With Fire on the new fiction table - these books cannot be reserved. I snatched it as though I myself were playing with fire.

The strange thing is that another woman followed me through the library and actually tried to take it from me. I was in the stacks on another floor and set it down momentarily to reach a book on the top shelf and a hand shot out and grabbed it. I had noticed this woman seemed to be very interested in me...anyway, I wrestled it back and she ran off.

If she would have asked me politely, I would have given it to her!

I am reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I enjoyed DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons. Thought they were "seat-of-your-pants" thrillers. And they lead me on to investigate so many other topics via reliable sources. Anyway, I am on page 190. At the beginning of the book, it seemed I could feel his hesitancy, like he was a bit nervous to write because of the huge success of DaVinci Code. And then, I could feel when his confidence returned and he "fell" into his own story, if you know what I mean. I don't remember how long the "set-up" was in the other two books before they really got rolling, but this one took a while, about 120 pages, then ZOOM - that ol' Dan Brown thriller mode kicked in and off we went. The book centers around a mystery and the Masons in Washington, D.C. I can barely accomplish anything... all I can think about is finding some time and a quiet corner to read!

Siobhan, what a story! I guess we can all relate to wanting to read a book so badly that we are willing to get a little pushy sometimes. Not that we'd act on that pushiness, but I sure have felt it at times. Good job wrestling it back!

And thank you to Georgia Peach for mentioning The Red Tree. I want to check it out. It sounds intriguing.

PAM

I have just finished James Lee Burke's new book, Rain Gods. It features a new main character, Hackberry Holland, who is an older cousin of Billy Bob and is sheriff in a tiny town in Texas on the Mexican border.

The book is vintage Burke, and I liked it a lot. He is such a good writer, and his good guys are such good guys. I wish he didn't incorporate so much horrible violence and use so much nasty language.

I thought that Simon Brett's new book 'Blotto, Twinks and the Ex-King's Daughter' looked like a YA book but took it from the New Books section at the library anyway. (Luckily no-one tried to filch it from me. What a nerve, Siobhan!) Quite amusing. Very English humour though.

I am reading The Boneman's Daughter. Better than average serial killer novel with overlapping anti-war message. The presentation of the latter theme is well done (at least so far). It's not in your face, but enough there to niggle at you and make you think. Because it is the character's state of mind, after a dreadful experience, and ties in nicely with the crimes, it's central to the theme, and not obnoxious. I believe readers will finish the book with their thoughts on war, either way, challenged, and having enjoyed a good story as well. The last book I read like this was Dead Man Walking.

Siobhan, hehe, that woman must have been really desperate.
The copy I have was lent to me by a colleague, so I didn't have to go through the library, but I may have to bite the bullet and buy the third book before the third movie premieres (in December). That books is so long that I know I will never read it if I have already seen the movie.

I finally finished Heaven's Command, which is interesting and well written but a very slow read. Will be going home to read The Girl who Played with Fire.

Carolyn, thanks for mentioning James Lee Burke. There is a bookstore near my work that I wander to each lunch hour and I looked at a few of his books and they sound good. I am going to see if my library has a couple.

I am about 3/4 of the way through "No Time for Goodbye". I would love to discuss it a bit deeper but I don't want to say too much and ruin it for others. I am enjoying it immensely - even though I think I have it figured out. I will be finished by the end of the day because I can't stand the suspense any longer...I think I have found a new favourite author!

Pam and Veronicae, did you go on to read any other books by Linwood Barclay?

Stoneangel, you will like the Burke books better if you read them in order of publication. The early ones are probably out of print (maybe not in paperback), but our library has all of them available.

stoneangel, I have not...for some reason I didn't even look for any. I see that there are several...reserve list here I come.

While counting the days until Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall is available, because it sounds like my kind of book, I checked into other books she has written. A Place of Greater Safety had good reviews and I got it from the library. The book is huge, over 740 pages, but I'm really enjoying it. It is a story of the French Revolution. Nothing makes me happier than a really good fat book! The Lost Symbol will have to wait a while longer.

Carolyn, for some reason I have been reluctant to read any of Burke's Holland novels. I have them all; Burke signed the first one at the reading he did of it at the Smithsonian. I just cannot bring myself to read them.

I'm reading and enjoying The Zero Game by Brad Meltzer. It's a thriller featuring a Senate staffer and corruption in the capitol. Strangely topical.

I just finished A.J. Jacobs' new book The Guinea Pig Diaries: My Life as an Experiment. I really enjoy his writing, and although I'd read a few of the chapters when they appeared as magazine articles, on the whole it was an entertaining book.

I've just started the newest Isabel Dalhousie book, The Lost Art of Gratitude and it's like visiting old friends. Wonderful!

I just finished Day After Night by Anita Diamant. While I enjoyed it, after finishing it I felt there could have been more...can't put my finger on just what 'more' I wanted!

I just caved & pre-ordered Wolf Hall, decided to pass on the new Byatt, the reviews on Amazon were quite mixed. I pre-ordered Her Fearful Symmetry instead.

As for Linwood Barclay books, I enjoyed Too Close To Home & No Time For Goodbye and am still waiting for our library to get his newest one Fear The Worst.
I have read a couple of his Zack Walker series too & plan to read the rest-when I read all the books I already have sitting here!

I am currently working my way through David Rosenfelt's series about Andy Carpenter a NJ lawyer, quite humorous! I am on the 4th one- Sudden Death.

I also 'discovered' Paul Levine & recently read his first one Solomon Vs Lord and plan to read that series too....all when I have time! I love 'finding' new authors!

Pat

I have started reading The Girl who played with Fire but I am not digging the English translation, and neither am I entirely happy about the direction the story seems to be taking, although I am not surprised by it because of all the background reading I have been doing. I have no complaints about the translation being bad - in fact it almost reads like it was written in English - but it feels off in a way I can't put my finger on, in a way the Icelandic translation of the previous book didn't. I'm giving it another 50 pages and if the feeling doesn't go away, I will return it to the owner and put my name on the library waiting list for the Icelandic translation.

I am reading the new Diana Gabaldon An Echo in the Bone and so far it is as entertaining as always.
I put aside a 'not-yet-published' book which came with many rave reviews from those at Hachette, Mr Rosenblum's List by debut novelist Natasha Solomans. Some of the comments suggested 'this year's Guernsey L&PPPS,', but it certainly hadn't grabbed me like that. However, I will go back to it.

I finished The Girl Who Played With Fire in a marathon 6-hour reading session on this summer-like day at the beach. Way too much fun! I couldn't put it down. I believe I liked it more than the first one.

Now it must go back to the library - maybe I can find that woman who tried to steal it from me - I'll hand it to her and blurt out the ending...

Siobhan, I enjoyed the second one more too, and am trying to get through the Gabaldon quickly to get to the third Larsson which is out this week!
And I do wish you luck at the library *g*

Wolf Hall has just been released here in paperback. I picked it up this weekend in, of all places, Costco! Thanks to all who recommended it.

Carolyn, I went to Burke's website to look at the books in chronological order and requested Neon Rain on inter-library loan.

Veronicae, I have Too Close to Home on my TBR pile and have just taken "Bad Guys" out from the library. I am glad to hear you have read and enjoyed Linwood Barclay's other novels, Pat :c)

I hope to start reading "Lady Macbeth" by Susan Fraser King and go back to reading "The Lost Highway", which was tossed aside briefly while I sailed through No Time for Goodbye.

Stoneangel-I really enjoyed Lady Macbeth.

Loved The Book Thief and we had a good discussion at book club. Several people wondered about the YA classification, which reminded me of our YA discussion a few months ago. I think this book would be wonderful to use in a high school 20th century history class.

Quickly read Priscilla Royal's newest (slightly disappointing-forced solution) and a Susanna Gregory mystery. It is an older series and I enjoyed it, and very excitedly went to the library to take out more-and they don't own them! arrgghh!
I am a bit down the list for The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny because they bought far fewer copies than they usually would. The library hasn't bought the new Simon Brett yet (budget Woes with a capital W mean NO new books for months now at the branches, and even at the big central library, only a few authors they always buy-like Danielle Steel...and only a few copies instead of the 20 or more) so I got an armful of Miss Read to reread. I need some serenity reading, and she always brings my blood pressure way down. I requested two Rebecca Shaw titles too, after seeing the post above.

grelobe: I loved City of Thieves. I couldn't put that book down.