Chicks On Lit discussion

Let's try this one again.
Topic is what did you just finish? Great topic huh?
I haven't finished anything recently. I'm in a big slump but I'm about to start Julie and Julia so Ill come back and let you know when/if I finish it.

In the past few weeks, I've read Those Who Save Us, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane and then The Story Sisters. Now I'm reading Perfection A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal.

Those who Save Us

I just finished an emotional memoir called Shadow of the Sword A Marine's Journey of War, Heroism, and Redemption, written by a Marine who saw several friends die in a battle in Fallujah.

I just finished New Mercies by Sandra Dallas, before that The Piano Teacher and then before that Oxygen. All very, very good....

I just finished An Irish Country Doctor. It was EXTREMELY reminiscent of James Herriot's books, but despite not being terribly original, it was an enjoyable read, and I am already reading the sequel.

I love liking a book so much that I want to read the sequel.

I love it when a book I love has a sequel!

I just finished 'Property' by Valerie Martin - it won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2003 and I can see why. It's interesting as its a different take on the 'slave fiction' genre, told from the point of view of the slave owner. NONE of the characters were particularly likeable but the book overall was wonderful and fascinating. It only took me a couple of days to read so not a chore. Well worth a read.

Ally

I love sequel's too~especially when I find myself sad that I've finished a book.

I finished this week "A Reliable Wife" by Robert Goolrick, "Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson, "Netherland" by Joseph O'Neill and M.C. Beaton's "Death In A Village: A Hamish MacBeth Mystery." It was a good week for reading/listening!

Did you like the Reliable Wife? I picked up a few weeks ago and not sure if I wasn't in the mood or what I had a hard time getting into it.

Allhug wrote: "I just finished 'Property' by Valerie Martin - it won the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2003 and I can see why. It's interesting as its a different take on the 'slave fiction' genre, told from the po..."

Thanks for this one, Ally. Another for my Wish List.

Tera wrote: "Did you like the Reliable Wife? I picked up a few weeks ago and not sure if I wasn't in the mood or what I had a hard time getting into it."

I really did like "A Reliable Wife," but it is pretty dark and twisted.

Lauren, I'm anxious to read Perfection. I'd love to hear how it is!

I didn't realize when I got it from the library that it is a true story.

Yeah it is! I read about it in People magazine (the review for it) and it sounded interesting.

I just finished "Out" by Natsuo Kirino. It was very gripping! I had read another book by her--"Grotesque" which seemed to drag and meander so I was skeptical but "Out" had me from the beginning.

I just finished "Dissolution" by CJ Sansom, "a novel of Tudor England" which was OK. Much better was the book I finished just before that "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. Very moving.

I just finished Everything Will Be Alright, by Doug Wallace- I found it inspiring.
Also just finished -and liked- Brande's Fat Cat, (teen lit) due out soon- addresses the effect of modern lifestyle on our physiques- mixed in with lots of social drama.

Angie wrote: "I just finished "Dissolution" by CJ Sansom, "a novel of Tudor England" which was OK. Much better was the book I finished just before that "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. Very moving. "

Angie - if you were moved by Kite Runner, read A Thousand Splendid Suns. Very powerful also..two of my favorite books.

That's interesting Mary, I read Grotesque a while ago, and I was disatisfied with it, too. Perhaps I shall have to try Out.

I just finished Possession A Romance. It was a gorgeous story; I'm sad it's over.

The last book I finished was Tolkien's The Return of the King. I was re-reading LOTR recently and I've always enjoyed ROTK the most from the three instalments =)

I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife. The book got a lot of hype but I was hesitant to read it. I wasn't surprised at the end but it made me want to hug and squeeze me children just that much more.

Li wrote: "The last book I finished was Tolkien's The Return of the King. I was re-reading LOTR recently and I've always enjoyed ROTK the most from the three instalments =)"

Love those books! And I love the film versions too - I always watch them whenever they are on the telly!

I actually could not finish In the Shadow of Gotham...just did not hold my interest...gave it 1 star. I'm now reading Nineteen Minutes as an easy read before I delve further into my to-be-read pile :-)

Beth wrote: "I actually could not finish In the Shadow of Gotham...just did not hold my interest...gave it 1 star. I'm now reading Nineteen Minutes as an easy read before I delve fu..."

I liked Nineteen Minutes pretty well because it was an easy read. If you find that you like Jodi Picoult's style and haven't read her others, try out My Sister's Keeper, Handle With Care, and Mercy (my favorite). She certainly doesn't write feel-good stories, but I absolutely love what she does with her characters.

I just finished "Everything is Illuminated". Oh boy, what a glorious book! I was laughing out loud, and I usually don't do that, until it got really not funny and very dark and I just shook my head - I couldn't believe what I was reading. Please read this book!

Christy wrote: "I just finished Possession A Romance. It was a gorgeous story; I'm sad it's over."

I enjoyed that book, too. There's a movie of it, but it's with Gwynth Paltrow and I can't stand her; it was really bad!

Lisa wrote: "I finished this week "A Reliable Wife" by Robert Goolrick, "Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson, "Netherland" by Joseph O'Neill and M.C. Beaton's "Death In A Village: A Hamish MacBeth Mystery." It was a..."

Wow you read a lot. I liked Robinson's Housekeeping, but couldn't get into Gilead. Should I try it again?

Robin wrote: "Christy wrote: "I just finished Possession A Romance. It was a gorgeous story; I'm sad it's over."

I enjoyed that book, too. There's a movie of it, but it's with Gwynth Paltrow and..."

I disliked the modern day story immensely, but I LOVED and I mean LOVED, the historical scenes with Jeremy Northam and Jennifer Ehle. They were perfect.

Just finished this a.m. "The Dogs of Babel" by Carolyn Parkhurst. So sad, so strange. I couldn't really figure out if I liked it or thought it was ridiculous.

I just finished "The Eyes of Darkness" by Den Koontz....I loved it!!!!! It was a quick read and intense.....i couldnt put it down.

I hated the Dogs of Babel and wont read anything more by Parkhurst

Robin wrote: "I just finished "Everything is Illuminated". Oh boy, what a glorious book!

Robin, have you also read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by the same author? I LOVED it (gave it 5 stars). Highly recommend if you have not yet read it. :-)

Kaliki wrote: "Beth wrote:

Kaliki,
I previously read My Sister's Keeper and gave it 4 stars. I also have read The Pact A Love Story and Salem Falls , to which I gave 3 stars. I enjoy Picoult's books as easy reads once in a while...sometimes find them a bit predictable/cookie cutter because her stories always incorporate large doses of physical and emotional crises. I will try Mercy because you recommend it so highly...thanks!

Robin wrote: "I just finished "Everything is Illuminated". Oh boy, what a glorious book! I was laughing out loud, and I usually don't do that, until it got really not funny and very dark and I just shook my head..."

Robin- I totally agree with you! That is one amazing book! I absolutely love it! I kept thinking how refreshing it was to read this book that is just so well written and can evoke such strong responses. Most definitely a must read for everyone!

Renee wrote: "I hated the Dogs of Babel and wont read anything more by Parkhurst"

I kept trying to remember what it was I'd heard that drew me to it in the first place. It certainly couldn't have been talking dogs!

Just finished The Girl She Used to Be by David Cristofano. This is a 5 star, excellent read that I highly recommend!

Beth wrote: "Robin wrote: "I just finished "Everything is Illuminated". Oh boy, what a glorious book!

Robin, have you also read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by the same author? I LOVED it ..."

Yes. I read it and found it to be enthralling. I read it first. I just recommended it to a lit professor and one of my students; I hope they read it. Have you read his wife, Nicole Krauss, "A History of Love", I think that's the title. What an amazing literary couple! I can't wait for each of them to write MORE!

Nadia wrote: "Robin wrote: "I just finished "Everything is Illuminated". Oh boy, what a glorious book! I was laughing out loud, and I usually don't do that, until it got really not funny and very dark and I just..."

He writes with such vision and depth of soul. The way he phrases his broken English, it's more than poetic. LOVE it. Have you read anything else that is similar? I find his books to be a lot like Thomas Pynchon, only WAY more accessible.

Robin wrote: "Beth wrote: "Robin wrote: "I just finished "Everything is Illuminated". Oh boy, what a glorious book!

Robin, have you also read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by the same author? I LOVED it ..."

Yes. I read it and found it to be enthralling. I read it first. I just recommended it to a lit professor and one of my students; I hope they read it. Have you read his wife, Nicole Krauss, "A History of Love", I think that's the title. What an amazing literary couple! I can't wait for each of them to write MORE!
..."

I enjoyed all three of these books. But I agree that they may not be for everyone. Intense!

Robin wrote: "Beth wrote:

Robin, No, I have not read anything by Nicole Krauss and never knew those two authors were married. I'll give The History of Love a whirl and see what I think. Thanks for the recommendation!

Beth wrote: "Robin wrote: "Beth wrote:

Robin, No, I have not read anything by Nicole Krauss and never knew those two authors were married. I'll give The History of Love a whirl ..."

My pleasure.

I just finished The Vampire Lestat a few hours ago and now I am looking for something new to read.

Tera...Julie and Julia is wonderful!!! I could hardly put it down!!

Beth wrote: "Kaliki wrote: "Beth wrote:

Kaliki,
I previously read My Sister's Keeper and gave it 4 stars. I also have read The Pact A Love Story and Salem Falls , to..."

Yeah, that is true about her predicability. But I appreciate so much how I can related to most every character she writes, in dealing with feelings in situations I have never been in personally. I think the reason I connected with Mercy so much is b/c my family was going through a similar situation during the time I was reading it. And the complexity of those feelings and interactions she described was right on. I hope you enjoy it.

I just finished

and its now my number one fave of Jodi Picoult's. Wow!!

I just finished Shadow in the Wind...very good! Took me a while to catch on to the plot and figure out all the characters...Now reading The Wednesday Sisters...

I just read That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo it was LOL funny. I recommend it for a good time read. About to start South of Broad by Pat Conroy