What are you reading?

Started by iheartgranola, Jun 20, 2017, 02:02 PM

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DiveMilw

Quote from: KathyB on Jul 05, 2017, 11:09 AMIf anyone wants a really quick read, try Exit West by Mohsin Hamid. It's a novel(ette) about two lovers in an unspecified war-torn country in the Middle East, and apparently there are doors that are portals to other parts of the world, and would-be refugees can use them for a price. Like a much more sophisticated (not to mention instantaneous and safer) version of boats crossing the Mediterranean.

That sounds really interesting.  The doors remind me of "The Adjustment Bureau" where if you are wearing a particular hat you can cause a door to open into another part of the world. 
I no longer long for the old view!

DiveMilw

Quote from: DiveMilw on Jul 06, 2017, 02:01 PM
Quote from: KathyB on Jul 05, 2017, 11:09 AMIf anyone wants a really quick read, try Exit West by Mohsin Hamid. It's a novel(ette) about two lovers in an unspecified war-torn country in the Middle East, and apparently there are doors that are portals to other parts of the world, and would-be refugees can use them for a price. Like a much more sophisticated (not to mention instantaneous and safer) version of boats crossing the Mediterranean.

That sounds really interesting.  The doors remind me of "The Adjustment Bureau" where if you are wearing a particular hat you can cause a door to open into another part of the world. 

I have placed a hold on the e-book version at my library.  They also had regular books but they were all checked out as well. 

In other library news my local library's website got hacked this morning.  I was wondering why I couldn't bring it up to check the hours at the various branches.  They said it has been down since about 7:30 a.m.  I didn't think to ask but I wonder how long it will be down and what damage was done.  :(
I no longer long for the old view!

JustTheOneAnne

I picked up a copy of Isherwood's Berlin novels--Mr. Norris Changes Trains and Goodbye to Berlin--and I'm slowly making my way through!  (Only slowly because after a day of German class I never want to see a written word again, so reading isn't top priority.)

It's fun to read the non-Sally Bowles stuff and recognize characters who made it into the film version of Cabaret in some form. :)
"There's such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I'm such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn't be half so interesting." -Anne of Green Gables

DiveMilw

Neil Gaiman recommends "London Labour and the London Poor" by Henry Mayhew.  In his talk/interview tonight he said he re-reads it at least once a decade.  
I'm tying to find an e-book version that has the complete set.  (It was originally published as a series of articles.)  It reminds me of "Working" by Studs Terkle  

Wikipedia article about the book.
I no longer long for the old view!

Bobster

Quote from: iheartgranola on Jun 21, 2017, 08:28 PM
Quote from: Bobster on Jun 21, 2017, 08:23 PMI'm having fun reading Wouldn't It Be Deadly by D.E. Ireland.

Post Pygmalion, Eliza Doolittle is a language teacher under the pompous Hungarian Nepommuck, taking credit in the papers for Eliza's transformation and causing Henry Higgin's wrath.

When Nepommuck is found stabbed after it has been announced that he was engaged to an older Marchoness, Eliza must find out what happened.

That sounds like an absolute blast!

It was.  Now I'm reading the 2nd book, Move Your Blooming Corpse.  Fun so far.


mrssondheim

I have gotten way out of the practice of reading books.  I used to be an avid reader, but it has been years since then. I have time now to read a book and I am at a loss as to what to start with.  I used to LOVE actor biographies.  Actors such as Joan Crawford, Lauren Bacall, or Carol Burnett. 

Anyone have any recommendations?? 
A blank page or canvas. My favorite.

KathyB

Quote from: mamarose on Jul 11, 2017, 07:09 PMI have gotten way out of the practice of reading books.  I used to be an avid reader, but it has been years since then. I have time now to read a book and I am at a loss as to what to start with.  I used to LOVE actor biographies.  Actors such as Joan Crawford, Lauren Bacall, or Carol Burnett. 

Anyone have any recommendations?? 

I just finished Gabourey Sidibe's This Is Just My Face, and while she isn't quite like Joan Crawford or Lauren Bacall, she's got a fun way of telling a story, especially about when she was a phone sex worker. You might enjoy that book. I bet the audiobook would be a hoot.

mrssondheim

Quote from: KathyB on Jul 11, 2017, 07:54 PM
Quote from: mamarose on Jul 11, 2017, 07:09 PMI have gotten way out of the practice of reading books.  I used to be an avid reader, but it has been years since then. I have time now to read a book and I am at a loss as to what to start with.  I used to LOVE actor biographies.  Actors such as Joan Crawford, Lauren Bacall, or Carol Burnett. 

Anyone have any recommendations?? 

I just finished Gabourey Sidibe's This Is Just My Face, and while she isn't quite like Joan Crawford or Lauren Bacall, she's got a fun way of telling a story, especially about when she was a phone sex worker. You might enjoy that book. I bet the audiobook would be a hoot.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I will look into it, though I am not a fan of hers at all. 
A blank page or canvas. My favorite.

artscallion

Quote from: mamarose on Jul 11, 2017, 07:09 PMI have gotten way out of the practice of reading books.  I used to be an avid reader, but it has been years since then. I have time now to read a book and I am at a loss as to what to start with.  I used to LOVE actor biographies.  Actors such as Joan Crawford, Lauren Bacall, or Carol Burnett. 

Anyone have any recommendations?? 

Have you read My Way of Life by Joan Crawford. I first heard about it from the recent Bette and Joan miniseries. She wrote it near the end of her life as a sort of guide for the everyday woman to gracious (and correct) living. She gives advice on giving parties, decorating, dieting, how women should act, and basically what the world looks like through the hugely warped prism of Joan Crawford.

While it's not the best book, it's fascinating in that it gives a real insight into the way she really thinks about things. one bit advises you join a group for exercise to help stay motivated, and that being in such a group may causes a certain competition that will yield great results, but that being skinny is worth losing a few fat friends.
Currently helping Dan search for his chocolate that I ate last night.

mrssondheim

Quote from: artscallion on Jul 15, 2017, 04:36 AM
Quote from: mamarose on Jul 11, 2017, 07:09 PMI have gotten way out of the practice of reading books.  I used to be an avid reader, but it has been years since then. I have time now to read a book and I am at a loss as to what to start with.  I used to LOVE actor biographies.  Actors such as Joan Crawford, Lauren Bacall, or Carol Burnett. 

Anyone have any recommendations?? 

Have you read My Way of Life by Joan Crawford. I first heard about it from the recent Bette and Joan miniseries. She wrote it near the end of her life as a sort of guide for the everyday woman to gracious (and correct) living. She gives advice on giving parties, decorating, dieting, how women should act, and basically what the world looks like through the hugely warped prism of Joan Crawford.

While it's not the best book, it's fascinating in that it gives a real insight into the way she really thinks about things. one bit advises you join a group for exercise to help stay motivated, and that being in such a group may causes a certain competition that will yield great results, but that being skinny is worth losing a few fat friends.

That sounds right up my alley!
A blank page or canvas. My favorite.

Gordonb

#55
House of Spies the 17th book in Daniel Silva's spy series featuring art restorer and Israeli agent, Gabriel Allon. One of those authors that I buy on release (kindle that is) as I know I will enjoy it.


 [attach name=house+of+spies.jpg type=image/jpeg]120[/attach]

Bobster

#56
Quote from: artscallion on Jul 15, 2017, 04:36 AM
Quote from: mamarose on Jul 11, 2017, 07:09 PMI have gotten way out of the practice of reading books.  I used to be an avid reader, but it has been years since then. I have time now to read a book and I am at a loss as to what to start with.  I used to LOVE actor biographies.  Actors such as Joan Crawford, Lauren Bacall, or Carol Burnett. 

Anyone have any recommendations?? 

Have you read My Way of Life by Joan Crawford. I first heard about it from the recent Bette and Joan miniseries. She wrote it near the end of her life as a sort of guide for the everyday woman to gracious (and correct) living. She gives advice on giving parties, decorating, dieting, how women should act, and basically what the world looks like through the hugely warped prism of Joan Crawford.

While it's not the best book, it's fascinating in that it gives a real insight into the way she really thinks about things. one bit advises you join a group for exercise to help stay motivated, and that being in such a group may causes a certain competition that will yield great results, but that being skinny is worth losing a few fat friends.

Despite that last rude thought, it's a fascinating read.

She also did an audiobook and it's all up on YouTube.  I've downloaded it by chapters if someone wants.


mrssondheim

#57
Quote from: Bobster on Jul 16, 2017, 06:22 AM
Quote from: artscallion on Jul 15, 2017, 04:36 AM
Quote from: mamarose on Jul 11, 2017, 07:09 PMI have gotten way out of the practice of reading books.  I used to be an avid reader, but it has been years since then. I have time now to read a book and I am at a loss as to what to start with.  I used to LOVE actor biographies.  Actors such as Joan Crawford, Lauren Bacall, or Carol Burnett. 

Anyone have any recommendations?? 

Have you read My Way of Life by Joan Crawford. I first heard about it from the recent Bette and Joan miniseries. She wrote it near the end of her life as a sort of guide for the everyday woman to gracious (and correct) living. She gives advice on giving parties, decorating, dieting, how women should act, and basically what the world looks like through the hugely warped prism of Joan Crawford.

While it's not the best book, it's fascinating in that it gives a real insight into the way she really thinks about things. one bit advises you join a group for exercise to help stay motivated, and that being in such a group may causes a certain competition that will yield great results, but that being skinny is worth losing a few fat friends.

Despite that last rude thought, it's a fascinating read.

She also did an audiobook and it's all up on YouTube.  I've downloaded it by chapters if someone wants.


Yes please!
A blank page or canvas. My favorite.

Bobster

Quote from: mamarose on Jul 16, 2017, 08:58 AM
Quote from: Bobster on Jul 16, 2017, 06:22 AM
Quote from: artscallion on Jul 15, 2017, 04:36 AM
Quote from: mamarose on Jul 11, 2017, 07:09 PMI have gotten way out of the practice of reading books.  I used to be an avid reader, but it has been years since then. I have time now to read a book and I am at a loss as to what to start with.  I used to LOVE actor biographies.  Actors such as Joan Crawford, Lauren Bacall, or Carol Burnett. 

Anyone have any recommendations?? 

Have you read My Way of Life by Joan Crawford. I first heard about it from the recent Bette and Joan miniseries. She wrote it near the end of her life as a sort of guide for the everyday woman to gracious (and correct) living. She gives advice on giving parties, decorating, dieting, how women should act, and basically what the world looks like through the hugely warped prism of Joan Crawford.

While it's not the best book, it's fascinating in that it gives a real insight into the way she really thinks about things. one bit advises you join a group for exercise to help stay motivated, and that being in such a group may causes a certain competition that will yield great results, but that being skinny is worth losing a few fat friends.

Despite that last rude thought, it's a fascinating read.

She also did an audiobook and it's all up on YouTube.  I've downloaded it by chapters if someone wants.

Yes please!

You can download here   https://www.sendspace.com/file/a88flq    It was originally on five records so there are 10 clips/sides.

artscallion

Quote from: Bobster on Jul 17, 2017, 09:32 PMYou can download here   https://www.sendspace.com/file/a88flq    It was originally on five records so there are 10 clips/sides.

Thanks, Bobs! It'll be awesome to hear it in her own voice.
Currently helping Dan search for his chocolate that I ate last night.