Liz, I have Consuming Passions on my TBR pile too - it's been there for a few years :)

I have now started my first e-book. My Macmillan rep got me a PDF of Sharon Penman's forthcoming Lionheart, and so far it is very good. Not sure about the electronic experience - it has a few quirks that I am not used to.

Kath, which e-reader do you have? I see D. Smith are selling them for $200+ and was wondering if I should get one as a gift for my housebound daughter. What about the cost of downloading books? Is this expensive?

Ann, I actually have an Acer Iconia tablet, which is a bit like an iPad. Dick Smith and Woolies are selling the Kindle, which until recently was only available from Amazon. There are lots of sites which have classics for free, and the ebooks from paid sites are the same or cheaper than hard copies, I believe.
However, I am not an expert, and someone here can probably tell you more than I can.

Finished up the wonderful bitter-sweet Emily, Alone by Stewart O'Nan. I didn't realise until later that this was a sequel to an earlier book, but despite not having this one, the story held together just fine. (It might have added more depth if I had read the first one tho', but story-wise, nothing was missing from that.)

Just a really nice story where "not much happens" and yet a lot does. It's about an elderly widow who is watching her world around her change so quickly (similar, I would imagine, to any older person nowadays). It's not sad and moany and wingey, but more observational of the minutiae of life: what to have for breakfast, the behavior of the old dog, the intricacies of being friends with another old lady when your list of friends is shrinking due to mortality.

Really, just a good narrative about the life of a pretty ordinary elderly woman in Pittsburgh in the last decade or so. Not exciting, but an excellent read. Reminiscent of Stone Angel in its tone and approach to life...

I've just started "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson and it seems promising. I really like this author, who was the author of "Isaac's Storm."

I finished Anita Shreve's "Rescue." She certainly keeps churning out these family themed novels....

Woodnymph - not only family themed, but house themed as well. I apologize if I am telling you something you already know. My daughter has informed me that many are set in the same house over the centuries,

I have so many really good books going right now that it is very difficult to settle down.

A Feast For Crows - George R.R. Martin. Nuff said.

Jamrach's Menagerie - Carol Birch. Short listed for Booker

Pigeon English - Stephen Kelman. Short listed for Booker. Very, very good so far.

Herbs and the Earth - Henry Beston. A little-known book by the author of The Outermost House, a classic in this part of the world. This little gem is wonderful, I will probably buy it at some point. (I'm reading a library copy.) Beston and his wife are buried at a country cemetery very near here, I will have to visit if I can find it.

Mudbound - Hillary Jordan. Really, really terrific story of families, prejudice, and hatred. Given to me by a friend, to whom I will be eternally grateful.

Half-Broke Horses - Jeannette Walls. Given to me by the same friend. I have had this book recommended to me numerous times, even purchased it for my Kindle (accidentally, but still) and have not managed to read it even though it is undoubtedly a superior book.

After the Ecstasy, The Laundry - Jack Kornfield. Really great book about spirituality, religion, and fitting those into an ordinary life.

What a feast I have here in front of me! But Martin's book is sucking in like quicksand, I can hardly put it down and have found myself reading into the small hours every night.

I am devouring A Bitter Truth, the new Bess Crawford by Charles Todd.

Just finished Gardens of Secrets Past by Anthony Eglin. I may have to quit on him; the last two have not piqued my interest--too much what he ate and when he traveled and what the scenery looked like.

Veronica, did not know about the house themes. I do like this author, but think her best work was "The Weight of Water." I also liked "The Pilot's Wife." I think her later work has declined a bit....

Siobhan, I absolutely loved "Half Broke Horses."

Took a bunch of books back to the library unread, and decided to focus on my own TBR pile for a while... So now reading The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton about a infamous Victorian train robbery and the criminals who did it. Very interesting, although Crichton does insist on using the old Victorian criminal slang all the time which gets a wee bit confusing. For some reason, I thought this crime happened in the 1950's, but perhaps that is my faulty childhood memory.

Also gearing up for the trip home to England and reading a history of Bedford, the town where I grew up. It's actually really interesting and I am learning a lot. I had known (but forgotten) a lot of this English history - forgotten how many groups had invaded England over time...

Liz, there was a 'Great Train Robbery' not too far from Bedford in 1963, when a gang robbed a train carrying millions of old bank notes. The train driver died and although some of the minor players were arrested the 'Mr Bigs' behind the heist were never caught.

Vee, that is not quite right. Please check out Ronald Biggs on Wiki. He spent some time in Australia after his escape from prison which caused some excitement after it was known. We seem to be quite a haven for people who wish to hide! A missing MP turned up and they have never found Lord Lucan have they? He could be in the Bush somewhere.

Ann, I had always thought of Ronnie Biggs as a middle-weight player in the robbery and that it had been assumed that there were more baddies at the very top of the heap who did very well out of it. Of course, I don't live in that fast-living, big spending murky underworld of gambling clubs, call-girls and laundered money . . . monthly trips to the mobile library can seem a little dull by comparison, can't they!

Vee, I prefer visits to the library too and steer clear of the 'well-known identities' which phrase being the code for that type! Although they appear very charming on TV!
Speaking of recent reading (which I had better get back to!) I realised that I had not read the last couple of books about Lawrence Sanders' creation Archy McNally as continued by Vincent Lardo. I had read the original first book which was rescued from the Classic FM skip by my husband. Review copies often got tossed unread, so he looked out for ones he thought I would enjoy. I think I have now read all but the last two so will see if the library has them in the system somewhere.

All this conversation about the Great Train Robbery of 1963 (you were right, Vee) sent me to Wiki to find out more about the big picture.

Very interesting esp since I have just read about the Great Train Robbery of 1855. The 1963 group involved an awful lot of people (which made things v complicated, I think.)

You guys had mentioned Ronald Biggs: he was really a pretty small player in the whole scheme of things, and escaped from prison, went to Paris for plastic surgery, went to Australia, and from there went to Brazil (as he could not be extradited from Brazil to UK). Finally, he got sick and decided to go back to England knowing full well that he would be arrested. People thought that Biggs returned to UK for the free medical care but he said that he just wanted to have a beer in a pub in Margate before he died. He was released from his prison sentence on compassionate groups (being sick) but recovered and has been in and out of hospital since then. However, his sentence was not repealed after he had made a recovery as he showed no remorse.

Since he couldn't work whilst he was in Brazil (being a convicted felon), he and his wife hosted BBQs for tourists to come and meet him and hear his version of the robbery. There were also cups, plates etc with his name on (apparently).

His son says that he has expressed remorse for the actual crime, but not for his life on the run. People also think that Biggs was "made an example" as he did get large sentences for his really quite minor role in the crime.

Interesting stuff.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Great Train Robbery of 1963

Just finished Erik Larson's "In the Garden of the Beasts". What a book! I could not put it down. It certainly opened my eyes to those who enabled Hitler to do what he did, in the preamble to War. What a hero modest, kindly diplomat Dodd was to speak out, when few would give warning. I feel as if I've time-traveled back to pre-war Berlin of Christopher Isherwood.

If any of you have a toddler or are the grandparent of a toddler who will NOT go to sleep, take a nap or otherwise settle down to bed you will understand why this is a book that had me laughing out loud.
Note: It is liberally sprinkled with the F word and certainly not meant to be read to children...but it is sooooo cathartic for those frustrated by this toddler stage of NO SLEEP !!

The book? GO THE F**K TO SLEEP

It is a NY Times Bestseller and I challenge you to read it or listen to it read without chuckling at least once !

I have to post this to go with Yvonne's post above.

The woman in the clip is a well respected actor in Australia, and spent many years on Playschool, a show for preschool children, where every day there was a story, read just the way she does this *g*
Beware: the 'f' word is used repeatedly.

Here is a link that might be useful: Go the F**k to Sleep read aloud

And here is a much pithier rendition read by Samuel L. Jackson.

Gird your loin !! *g*

Here is a link that might be useful: Samuel L. Jackson's rendition !

I have begun The Ballad of Tom Dooley, new in the Ballad books by Sharyn McCrumb. I am liking it better than some of her later books. My favorite of hers is If Ever I Return, Pretty Peggy-O.

I revisited this froum looking for a specific book discussion for my RL book club and was DELIGHTED to see so many old familiar names still here.
Hope some of you remember me, Ill be back to post. :)

HI Janalyn! Of course we remember you, and look forward to seeing you back here.

Welcome back, Janalyn. You have been missed. I hope you stick around.

Hi Janalyn! Hope to see you here more often!

I'm finally finishing up Wendy and the Lost Boys, which is tremendously overdue at the library.

Next up will be something from the TBR pile, which is starting to teeter again.

Hello Janalyn! I hope we can lure you back here :)

I finished George R.R. Martin's A Feast for Crows, whew! That man can tell a story. Much more violent than anything I would usually read, but I got sucked in to the point that I was dreaming about the storyline. I had read part of Game of Thrones years ago but couldn't finish, too too violent. I will try it again, however.

I am halfway through Stephen Kelman's Pigeon English, speaking of good stories. This one is short-listed for the Booker and I can see why, although I don't think it will win. I like it too much.

Hi Janalyn, welcome back. I missed talking about SF with you.

Right now I'm reading a historical/romantic novel called The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. I'd never run across this author before but so far (about quarter of the way into the novel), I'm enjoying it.

A couple of months ago I mentioned that I was reading all the Brother Cadfael books in series order. Round about number fifteen, I got tired of them. Rather than push through and not take pleasure in reading them, I've put this project aside. At some future point, probably a few months from now, I'll pick up where I left off, refreshed and once again intrigued.

Rosefolly

Rosefolly, you are right to give the series a rest. I find when I try to read more than a few books in a series I have just come across, I get a bit weary of what is constantly repeated, like personal characteristics etc. which was really meant as a catch-up when the books came out originally!
I am reading "Retirement Homes are Murder" by Mike Befeler. It is very amusing. Not like my place, which is for independant seniors only, although I do have some help with cleaning and maintenance.
Apparently, from the blurb, there is a burgeoning field of 'geezer-lit'! I have come across many mysteries featuring elderly women 'detectives' but this is the first 'geezer'!

Finished Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman. The novel is told in the voice of an 11-year-old Ghanan boy living in a housing project in London. A lot of slang that I will not be adding to my vocabulary. A first novel for this writer and a rather astonishing debut. Short-listed for the Booker, but I don't think it will win, I like it too much.

I'm just finishing up Anne R. Siddons' latest: "Burnt Mountain." As so many of her latter novels, I'm finding it disappointing. The venue of Atlanta, GA is very familiar to me, and the story of the Irishman is so far-fetched as to be unbelievable in that context, IMHO. Also, her books are increasingly formulaic and predictable. (As an aside, this writer was just a few years ahead of me in school when I was growing up, and our school was named for her ancestor). I wonder how many more empty stage sets she will crank out and label as novels?

I'm currently reading Geraldine Brooks' newest novel: "Caleb's Crossing." This is an author whose work I admire. Reading her work is IMHO like eating meat and potatoes, as contrasted to the "Mind Candy" that Anne Rivers Siddons serves up.

Brooks' latest novel is set in the 1600's in New England, on one of the islands. It concerns interactions amongst the early white settlers and the Native Americans. So far, so good, and well researched.

Welcome back, Janalynn! You know our door is always open!

Over the weekend, I read and finished a book by an Alaskan author called Velma Wallis called Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage, and Survival.

It's an Athabasken Indian legend from a tribe who were/are? very nomadic and live close to the Arctic Circle. Living off the land would mean frequent challenges for the tribe, and when life got very harsh with starvation nearby, it was traditional to abandon the older weaker members for the good of the group. This is the tale of two old women who were in such a situation. It sounds very grim, but under the pen of this author, the reader is faced with surprising courage and wisdom with these two older characters who are willing "to die trying" to live. A short tale of two brave women who face tribal taboos to learn of a strength they did not know they had.

A really good book to read if you're fed up with all the stereotypes of old = weak with regard to people. Well written as well.

Welcome back Janalyn. It is always nice when an "old" friend returns.

I am STILL reading Collapse by Jared Diamond. Is anyone tired of hearing that yet? About halfway through now, still deeply engrossed by the book. One blurb on the back says it best, "It is also the deal of the year - the equivalent of a year's college course ... all for the price of a book."

Also on my third Maisie Dobbs mystery, Pardonable Lies. Cece, you are right. I am thoroughly enjoying the series. My neighbor (bless her) walked over with the ENTIRE series and said, "Here PAM, I think these are right up your alley."

Also about to start Conrad Richter's The LIght in the Forest. I never read this author before but when I found this in the library and opened it up, the first word by eyes fell upon was "Susquehanna". As you all know from our recent weather-related threads, that is the river close to so many of us who were drenched and/or flooded two weeks ago. I thought that I must see what the book is all about.

PAM

I have been immersed in kiddie lit for the last week, working on a project. I also just abandoned The Very Thought of You by Rosie Alison. Shortlisted for the 2010 Orange Prize for Fiction. I had no idea who, what or where this prize is until I looked it up on the web.
And I quote:
"The Orange Prize for Fiction is one of the most respected, most celebrated and most successful literary awards in the world. Celebrating the very best of women's international fiction, even appearing on the shortlist significantly boosts a novel's sales and ensures an author will be promoted in bookshops and libraries the world over."

The book started out well, but about halfway I realized there was not one character that I cared about-I had no interest in finding out what happened to them, and my bookclub would still let me come to dinner even if I didn't finish. ;-) I rarely abandon a book, but I just don't have time right now to spend on books I don't really want to be reading.

I am reading (and loving) The Diary of a Provincial Lady by E. M. Delafield. This volume is actually composed of The Diary.., The Provincial Lady Goes Further, Provincial Lady in America, and it might also have the Russian diary as well.

All in all, this is one of the funniest books that I have read in forever, and every now and then, I end up snorting with laughter at something she has written.

Extremely charming and very very funny. I can't believe that I have owned this book for so long, and yet only picked it up now. What a gem.

Curious about all the positive buzz here about Louise Penny, I finally bought and read "Still Life." And I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks to those of you who brought her to my attention. I will definitely read more of her books.

I am now reading "Alice Have I Been," a novel about the real-life Alice In Wonderland. I've just started reading so not sure yet what I'm getting into. I'm reading it for the 2nd book club I started.

I just finished A Reliable Wife for my book club. I didn't end up hating it as much as I did at first, but I certainly didn't love it. All of the characters had serious moral flaws, some worse than others, and there was a point at which we were expected to accept behavior that I found disturbing. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I'll leave it at that.

Rosefolly/Paula -- I read "The Reliable Wife" last year and was left feeling slighting queasy by the whole thing. Now I think we're going to read it for my book group. I don't think I'll revisit it before the discussion, though.

Rose & Sarah--I felt exactly the same way when I finished up with The Reliable Wife; funny thing was that my mom asked it for it as a gift and then didn't care for it at all. I read her copy at the beach. I can't say I didn't like it but when I was done, I felt like I needed to wash up.

PAM, I grew up in southcentral PA; I think everyone had to read The Light in the Forest in school at some point. From an adult perspective, it now sounds fascinating and is going on my TBR list; wasn't too fond of it in middle school or thereabouts. Let me know how you like it.

I finished up the often-mentioned In the Garden of Beasts which was quite interesting, unsettling, and sent me "following up" on Google often. The only part I found sort of strange was how nearly all of the book was spent on the events of 1933/1934 and then suddenly the next several years were compressed into a few pages. I do think this book would make for a terrific book discussion.

I raced through another Jo Nesbo book,The Headhunters which was sort of a social satire/suspense. Right now I have the book of the Jackie Kennedy interviews; so far, only have read the intro written by Caroline whom I've always admired. Finally, I started, and am loving both the style and story of, When a Crocodile Eats the Sun by journalist Peter Godwin. It is a memoir of his life in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.

Here is a link that might be useful: Light in the Forest

bookmom, I am currently in southcentral Pennsylvania and much to my dismay, never heard of The Light in the Forest before now! I will gladly let you know what I think of the book. Thank you for the link. I learned from it that Richter was born in Pine Grove which is not far from me at all. How did this book escape me all of these years?

In studying my family ancestory, I learned that I had relatives that were killed in an Indian attack. Three of the four children, along with their mother, were killed and scalped. The sole surviving child, a son, allowed my family tree to survive. The father survived the attack but was never the same. He abandoned the farm and spent the rest of his life seeking revenge. Not a pretty story from any angle, but it is the truth.

PAM

PAM, I'm glad you enjoyed the link. I had to google the book to make sure it was the one I thought it was and once I saw the words Pine Grove, I was hooked. It is now on hold for me at the library; wonder if the cover will still be the same one I remember which was a remarkably white boy, clad as an Indian, in the forest.

Thank you for sharing that family story. History and the truth are rarely pretty. Do you know in what area your relatives lived? Family lore coming through my father's mother said that one of the men, several generations back, had married a local native but the details were nonexistent and my father said he doubted it was true.

I have started Arcadia Falls by Carol Goodman. It is the first of hers that I've read. Set in upstate NY, a newly widowed Long Island soccer mom and her teenage daughter go to a former art colony turned private school, mother to teach in order to earn a living, daughter under protest. A school girl falls over the same cliff where one of the original artists-writers died years ago. It's a little spooky, with a nice looking single sheriff adding to the plot.

I recently saw a plaque that said "So Little Time -- Read Fast!"

Partway through The Sisters Brothers by Patrick Dewitt. Very weird, very violent, very sad. The author's picture on the dust jacket is oddly and deliberately unattractive. I am reading it on this rainy day when I should be cleaning the house.

Finished Arcadia Falls and was taken by surprise at the ending. It was pretty good, but I don't know that I will read another by the author. I wish someone who likes to analyze would read this one, though, so you can tell me what was up with all the trees!

Several of you all have commented that you dislike first person stories. That doesn't particularly bother me, but not only was this book written in first person, it was also in the present tense which absolutely drove me crazy.

Carolyn, I don't mind first person stories when they are well done, but it is a tricky way to write and some authors don't do it properly, i.e. describing things that the person could not know about. I liked Mary Stewart's way of getting over that. In one of her books, the character 'sees' what is going on while she is unconscious by having an out-of-body experience! Neat!

I think writing in the first person is the hardest to do really well - Evelyn Waugh certainly mastered it, but so many authors do it so poorly that I cringe when I pick up such a book. The author has to prove him or herself very quickly or I will put the book right back where I got it.

Speaking of first person, I am struggling a bit with The Sisters Brothers which is written in the dreaded first person. That is not what is bothering me, but it seems like the book is just the same thing over and over and as I am only halfway through and tired of it, I am not motivated to finish.

I tried, I really tried to read Hugh Laurie's The Gun Seller. I kept telling myself that if I read a little further I would finally become interested. I didn't allow myself to read anything else and I kept trying until my Kindle said I was more than 50% through. At that point I finally allowed myself to stop reading and delete the book. Maybe I lack the necessary sophistication to appreciate his style, maybe I have feet of clay, but I eventually gave myself permission to give up on Hugh. I would love to hear from anyone else who has read this book who would like to share his or her comments, both pro and con.
Nancy

Finished The Sisters Brothers as an act of will. Left me feeling kind of dirty. I wish I could get back the hours I spent reading this book. Definitely not my taste. However I can see why it was short-listed for the Booker and given my reaction to it, will probably win.

Now I am going to give Half Broke Horses another try.

So far, I've read:

"Bad Behavior" - Isabel Wolff
About a young, single gal living in London, who's a veterinary psychologist. It follows her trials and tribulations 15 years after she was duped into putting a small bomb into a man's mailbox (she didn't know it was an explosive). Her guilt is enormous of course. The story picks up where she's getting settled into her new practice, and meets a brilliant war photojournalist. There are twists and turns in the plot, and -- believe it or not -- quite a bit of humour. The author was just short-listed last year for best writer in Women's Literature category (for "A Vintage Affair," which I loved!).

" The Earth Hums in B Flat" - Mari Strachan
About a 12-year-old girl living in Wales with her hugely dysfunctional family (the mother, mainly -- the girl's father is wonderful). She's going through growing pains (dealing with boys, disloyal female friends, a nasty mother, a self-centered, teasing sister), but is a strong, resourceful girl. ... Can usually think her way out of problems. There's a mysterious murder in the story, as well; although, it isn't a murder mystery book. There are well-drawn Welsh characters. The town is well-described -- you feel as if you can see it. The girl flies in her sleep over it, and hears the earth hum (thus, the title). In spite of this other-worldly feature, it isn't a sci-fi or ghost story kind of book. Only one thing bothered me -- the ending was a little abrupt, it seemed.

Lauramarie-- I loved "A Vintage Affair" too; read it just a few books back. I think another reader here said it was so-so, but I found it quite touching (tears were rolling down my face and my puppy girl thought it her duty to snuggle close!). It had been on my TBR list for some time, so I'm glad I actually got to it!

Lauramarie-- I loved "A Vintage Affair" too; read it just a few books back. I think another reader here said it was so-so, but I found it quite touching (tears were rolling down my face and my puppy girl thought it her duty to snuggle close!). It had been on my TBR list for some time, so I'm glad I actually got to it!