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 Author | Topic: What are we all reading at the moment? (Read 8,632 times) |
Happygoin
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Karma: 106 |  | Re: What are we all reading at the moment?
« Reply #480 on Jul 3, 2010, 2:44pm » | |
So true, Mossie, and well put (for an odd guy who watches clouds  ).
And, at the risk of starting a political debate, which I certainly do not mean to do, I think that Greg Mortenson should have won the Nobel Peace Prize. I think his book, Three Cups of Tea, has improved the American people's understanding of the Afghani people and their culture to a far greater extent than whatever Mr. Obama did to get the prize (which is still unclear to me  ).
And I'm very grateful to Phread for recommending it on this forum. Many of my friends have read it on my recommendation and as far as I'm concerned, the more people who read this book, the better. I've also thought it would make excellent "required reading" for high school students.
~getting off soap box now~
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Jody
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Karma: 118 | | Re: What are we all reading at the moment?
« Reply #481 on Jul 4, 2010, 4:43am » | |
I'll join you on that soapbox! I agree it should be required reading along with Howard Zinn's, People's History of the United States
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joan1
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« Reply #482 on Jul 6, 2010, 4:13am » | |
I just purchased "Sarahs Key" for my 14 yr old dd and ended up "previewing" it for her. I devoured it in one sitting.. it was so good,, and so , so , sad.
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Jody
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Happygoin
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« Reply #484 on Jul 18, 2010, 12:08pm » | |
I didn't see the article, Jody, but I saw a piece on the national news the other night about US troops making friends with the elders of local villages, to gain their trust about working against El Queda (sp?). I'm hazarding a guess that the article you mention has to do with Greg Mortenson's avocation in Afghanistan. Wonderful! It's about time.
~leaving for three days on the beaches Provincetown right now~
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Katharine
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Karma: 61 | | Re: What are we all reading at the moment?
« Reply #485 on Jul 18, 2010, 6:14pm » | |
Happy - have you read the "sequel" to Three Cups of Tea? It is a lovely book called Stonews into Schools. If not, run to the nearest booksore and get it.
I agree with you. Mortenson has done more to further world peace than Obama. He should get the prize.
I am currently reading South of Broad by Pat Conroy. Southern born and bred, he writes about what he knows - his native South Carolina. And, as a native South Carolinian, I am obliged to read his things. I grew up South of Broad (street) in Charleston, so it is fascinating to read his take on that life, especially since he did NOT grow up SOB.
Next up - A Helmet for a Pillow - the memoirs of a Marine who made it through the Pacific theater of operations. Not for everyone, but I am glad to be able to read it.
Other than Tuscan Sun, anyone with good reads on Italy?
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Happygoin
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« Reply #486 on Jul 21, 2010, 7:23am » | |
Hi Katharine, I haven't read Stones Into Schools yet, but it's been on my list for a while now. I guess my perspective is different than yours, having grown up in Charleston, but I love Conroy's books. His prose is like beautiful music to me. I can't believe how he puts words together.
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btrflyrfree
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« Reply #487 on Jul 24, 2010, 9:55am » | |
Just finished Claude and Camille, a novel of Monet by Stephanie Cowell, historical fiction (mostly true) of the period between 1857-1879. A story of art and love, the beautiful Camille who was 18 when she met 25 yr old Monet. The great love of his life after his painting filled with passion and heartache. Read with a book of Monet's paintings for deeper appreciation of his works. Highly recommended
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Happygoin
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« Reply #488 on Aug 2, 2010, 6:53am » | |
Just finished Parisians: An Adventure History of Paris by Graham Robb. It's different, that's for sure. I enjoyed most of it. Some chapters were a bit out there.
Toward the end, there is a chapter that contains some interesting and funny history of the obscene street names in the Montorgueil area. For example, r. Marie Stuart used to be named Sausage-Tugger Road. And that was the polite translation
Interesting book.
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Jody
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Karma: 118 | | Re: What are we all reading at the moment?
« Reply #489 on Aug 2, 2010, 7:32am » | |
I found Parisians rather heavy going but did finish it. Now reading Charlotte Gray, Sebastian Faulks, about occupied Paris . Just started but I know I'll enjoy it. Finished his Birdsong yesterday . The descriptions of the trenches in France and Belgium in WWI were amazing. I felt I was mired in the mud with the men.
Hope to receive my copy of Celestine in today's mail
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jo
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Karma: 58 | | Re: What are we all reading at the moment?
« Reply #490 on Aug 2, 2010, 8:56am » | |
Just finished The Big Short by Michael Lewis (the same guy who wrote The Blind Side).
This book is must reading for anyone who wants to understand how the subprime market led to the biggest Wall Street Crash of all time and bankrupted major Wall Street Investment firms like Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch. It's how only a few people could see what was happening and make huge money by shorting these investments. Makes me hate my industry, lol!
I'm now reading something much lighter, Tout Sweet by Karen Wheeler, a London fashion editor who bought a run down house in rural France and made a new life for herself. Very cute and easy.
My next book will be Paris Stories by Mavis Gallant. She is a Montrealer who has lived in Paris since the early 1950s. I just recently heard about her and am looking forward to discovering her writing.
Jo
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geordy
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Karma: 120 | | Re: What are we all reading at the moment?
« Reply #491 on Aug 2, 2010, 7:03pm » | |
I have the Parisiens one on hold at the libes. Read his prior one on France...was dry at points..had to remind myself there wasn't going to be a test! Reading for enjoument ..can skim, skip, or not truly absorb some parts! ::y
Presently reading the Patricia and Walter Wells' We've Always Had Paris and Provence. Type of stuff I mostly enjoy.
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Jody
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Karma: 118 | | Re: What are we all reading at the moment?
« Reply #492 on Aug 5, 2010, 12:01pm » | |
Just found out that Birdsong and Charlotte Gray are the 2nd and 3rd parts of a trilogy. I've just ordered the first, The Girl At The Lion d'Or
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Happygoin
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« Reply #493 on Aug 9, 2010, 1:27pm » | |
Oops...I didn't realize that, Jody. I'm in the middle of Birdsong...
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Jody
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Karma: 118 | | Re: What are we all reading at the moment?
« Reply #494 on Aug 9, 2010, 1:38pm » | |
I have it ordered from Amazon. My library didn't have it. I'll be happy to share it with you if you can't get it from your library
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jo
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« Reply #495 on Aug 9, 2010, 2:47pm » | |
Just picked up Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnick on the weekend, looking forward to reading it.
Jo
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mez
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« Reply #496 on Aug 23, 2010, 7:02am » | |
I do love wandering around bookstores ... there on the shelf waiting for me to buy it was a book called 'Bruno Chief of Police'. I am about a third of the way through, and while there is a murder involved, there is a light-hearted humour that shines through.
The pages recounting the network of "spies" who aid the farmers selling their fresh meats and cheeses while avoiding the EU bureaucrats trying to shut down the practices are very funny.
Read more about Bruno and his patch in the Dordogne region here - http://www.brunochiefofpolice.com/
I also "like" one of my favourite bookstores on Facebook. It's here I learned about what sounds like a love book ... Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico. I am waiting for this book to be delivered to me. 
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georgeleitch
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Karma: 24 | | Re: What are we all reading at the moment?
« Reply #497 on Aug 23, 2010, 7:19am » | |
Hi Mez,
I have seen the movie with Angela Lansbury as it is on here at least once a week on some channel or other. It is good, a "chick flick" of course ,and I am sure you will enjoy it if you come across it.
I have just finished "Midnight Fugue" by Reginald Hill, one of the most literate crime writers around. His Dalziel and Pascoe series is wonderful.
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Happygoin
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« Reply #498 on Aug 23, 2010, 7:25am » | |
Jo, I'll be curious what you think of Paris to the Moon.
Jody, I was so mad when I finished Birdsong, that I don't think I'll be reading any more of the trilogy. WHY...oh WHY did he let that married nitwit Robert end the book? He played such a minor role in the book! And he was a schmuck! It also had a little too much of the graphic descriptions of war for me.
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Jody
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Karma: 118 | | Re: What are we all reading at the moment?
« Reply #499 on Aug 23, 2010, 8:43am » | |
Yes. the war descriptions were very graphic and David said very real. Just finished Grl at the Lion d'or. The finish bothered me in this one too
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