Group Reading Log: August 2010

I can't believe I'm only just starting this!

Finished Good to a Fault and, unfortunately for what was a great read up until then, the ending dragged. You knew where it was heading (and I was happy with where it was heading) but it took too long and was too angsty on the journey there. But overall an enjoyable read, which I found hard to put down.

Have moved onto Edith Wharton's Fighting France: From Dunkirk to Belfort (touchstone not working today), a series of essays written by her in France during the First World War. It's fascinating being in France during this period. I've seen the war from various aspects through various books, but this is the first time I've visited France, so to speak.

Yes, I was supposed to have started Her Fearful Symmetry (no touchstone again!) for the Oz VBB, but didn't have it to hand when I finished Good to a Fault on the bus last night! Plus the Wharton is an E.R. copy, so I really must read it soon.

Plus, I'm reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to Mr Bear (he saw the first movie, so doesn't want to read that, *sigh*), so I'm also reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to myself, because one can't start a series in the middle!!

I am reading Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott and finished Arctic Diary by Sam Branson - not his father Richard - although Richard features in it - and has a bit of his diary in it. I also finished Ghost at Work by Carolyn Hart - first in a new cosy mystery series.

Well, Fighting France took far longer than it should, given it was such a slim volume! It was good, but definitely veered towards propaganda: all the French soldiers were noble, brave, wondrous; the conditions at the front showed a remarkable "can-do" attitude; those left behind mucked in and didn't complain.

I muttered darkly that she was there during *summer* and it would have been a whole different kettle of fish in winter, or after four years of war.

But it was a great contrast having this devastating war occurring during a wonderful European summer (buzz of insects drowned out by shelling, etc). And I did like the descriptions of the villages set up by the soldiers behind the front lines, it was something I hadn't considered before. (And she had many a luncheon with the officers in these makeshift villages!) And some of the descriptions were breathtaking (don't have book to hand, or I'd copy some out).

Have now moved on to Her Fearful Symmetry for sally906. :)

I've been out of town for a week, doing a lot of airport time during which I read One Day and liked it a lot, but for one clichéd, predictable and unnecessary plot development (which I won't elucidate further on for the sake of anyone interested in reading it themselves)

I've also read Meet The Muppets, the first collection in a new series of Muppet comics which captures the characters and spirit of the old TV series quite well, even if the artwork doesn't look quite right (to my eye at least) and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the second volume in a series which has been adapted for the big screen (the movie opens this week and looks like it'll be fun)

...and I've started on Storm Front, the first volume of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, and so far I'm enjoying it.

freelunch, I went and saw "Inception" the other day (and I did enjoy it, although I do need to rewatch it to work out how it all fits together), and I got the trailer for "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World". (I'd already seen it on YouTube, but was more than happy to rewatch it on the big screen, I think it looks like great fun, and love the director - he also did "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz".)

The person sitting next to me was completely boggled, and had no idea what it was all about. Was he completely out of touch with pop culture, or am I too immersed in pop culture??

Frankly, I just wrote him off as a w*nker (serves me right for hanging around the inner west of Sydney!), and am still looking forward to the movie.

Yay for Muppet comics! We introduced the kids to the first season of The Muppet Show, and it was a hit. (Hurrah, because they're just confused by The Goodies. It was nice to have one of my favourite childhood shows accepted by the next generation.)

ETA: And yay for Jim Butcher! I love Harry Dresden.

I think Inception was OK but I think it failed to live up to its hype. It isn't the best movie I've ever seen, it isn't even the best Chris Nolan movie I've seen. But I will rewatch it on DVD and I reserve the right to revise my opinion at that time :)

I won't be able to get to the cinema this weekend to see Scott Pilgrim, possibly a good thing as it'll give me time to finish reading the series first - the movie was made before Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour was completed so it covers the first five books with the filmmakers own take on the ending.

I'm wondering now about the Dresden Files TV series - do you know if it is worth tracking down?

I wasn't a fan of the TV series of The Dresden Files - they reworked Bob far too much for my tastes (made him more appealing to a mainstream American audience, Mr TQD reckons*) and failed to capture the energy and fun of the books, but I do know people who liked it (Sally, was one of them you? I'm sure it was a Australian bookcrosser who liked them). I didn't bother watching past the first episode.

When it comes to movies, beware the hype. Always makes me regret it, as my expectations are raised too high and I end up being disappointed. While I don't think "Inception" was the Best Movie Ever, I did enjoy it on just a "wheee!" level. I think Mr TQD will enjoy it, and have told him not to overthink it, as (once you got past all the surface trickiness of the plot), it was basically a fairly straightforward caper flick. But a great caper, and an impressive cast. Not as good as "Momento", definitely, but probably the best action movie I've seen for a long time. (Of course, action movies are NOT my genre of choice, so it's a long while between drinks, so to speak. :)

* From hazy memory, he's now a ghost of a dead wizard, rather than a somewhat demonic and crazed spirit inhabiting a skull.

And have now finished Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Still enjoying this series immensely, even after an untold number of re-reads!

Now to concentrate on Her Fearful Symmetry, which is an enjoyable read so far!

Yep was me - was most disappointed when there was no subsequent series :)

finished Storm Front, it was great fun. I have the next in the series on my shelf but I think I'll wait a while before continuing.

taking the Unshelved.com "Read Irresponsibly" ethos to heart I've given up on enriching my mind and shall from now on read whatever takes my fancy :D next up for me is The Diary Of A Doctor Who Addict

Love the idea of reading irresponsibly. :) And it does seem an excellent choice for you. :)

I've also somehow picked up Red as Blood, a collection of retold fairy tales by Tanith Lee. (To bring that back to sci-fi on TV, I believe she wrote some episodes of "Blakes Seven". Which I never liked as much as "Doctor Who" when I was a kid.)

Finished Her Fearful Symmetry and quite enjoyed it, with some quibbles about plot twists I didn't like much. Will write up a proper review, then pop it in the post to Sally906!

Have moved on to The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest since my workmate is asking every few days "so, have you started it yet?". She knows how to get her way... :)

I've been reading a real hotch potch of escapist novels this month. A couple of Michael Connelly's – a genre a thought I was over, but it's good for mind-numbing time wasting. I've also read Dead Man Walking and I must say I like the film far better. (I don't seem to be reading very cheerful stuff.) I read her Her Fearful Symmetry recently and I had quibbles with it too, wookiebender.
I read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest months ago, immediately followed by its sequels. I was totally engaged by the series, but I thought the translation was wanting (which was confirmed by a friend who is a translator). However, reading the series in conjunction with a feature on the author's life made it interesting, as did seeing the film of the first volume as those comparisons are always interesting. The film did make me wonder whether it was worth spending all that time reading the book. It picked out the salient points of the narrative well.

Hi livrecache!

Overall I enjoyed Her Fearful Symmetry, but, yes, there were some plot points that just didn't quite make sense, and the ending was a bit underwhelming. I felt she had some great ideas, and they just didn't quite gel into a great book. Unlike The Time Traveller's Wife where she had one great idea, and explored it really well.

I've had annoyances with the first two "Girl Who..." books, mostly about the mind-numbing level of detail (the Ikea shopping list, oh my), but once the plot kicks in (finally), they are very gripping reads. And Lisbeth rocks.

Agreed, the movie got the salient points and ditched a lot of the unnecessary bits. I wish Larsson had had such a good editor!!

And for the few of us who haven't seen this yet: The Girl Who Fixed the Umlaut, by Nora Ephron. Excellent spoof.

#6 and 7
I saw Inception a couple of nights ago. I didn't like it while I was watching it, as there seemed to be too much gratuitous and inexplicable gun fire and bombings. However, now I've reflected on it, I do want to watch it again (on DVD) as there were interesting things going on – action at so many levels.

Back on topic, I'm reading Imperium. I had it as a bookring, but I didn't get around to finishing it. I've now got it from the library, and am thoroughly absorbed by it.

since (11) I've read Scott Pilgrim and the Infinite Sadness (book three in the series, three more to read before I can see the movie) and Meanwhile (a choose-your-own-adventure graphic novel which states on its cover that is has 3,856 story possibilities. I haven't experienced them all yet)

..and I finished The Diary of a "Dr. Who" Addict tonight. Paul Magrs delivered as ever (I like his fantasy and "real world" fiction, as well as his Doctor Who novels) in this (I suspect semi-autobiographical) coming-of-age story set in the 80s, about a 12yo kid who loves Doctor Who. My 11yo son is keen to read it but I'm not sure he's ready for scenes in which the protagonist questions his sexuality. For older readers who are Doctor Who fans (particularly of the Peter Davison era) it is a worthwhile read though.

I'm currently reading Meat Is Murder, another fictional coming-of-age story, this one by musician Joe Pernice, about an 18yo who falls in love with The Smiths at about the same time I did. So far I'm liking it a lot.

Hi everyone, This is my first post here :) Thanks freelunch for pointing me in this direction!! I was surprised to find so many of you here .......... I'm still exploring the site and will pop in from time to time.... I like the way the books are organised over here.

I have just finished reading Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures (I liked it .... Has anyone else read it?) We also saw Inception a couple of days ago. Mr 888 fell asleep half-way through and started to snore ..... (I had to nudge him a few times ... therefore eyes kept wandering from the screen to him throughout the movie) ... ; There was a lot of action happening in the middle that seemed to on and on .... The plot was interesting but like livrecache, I'll have to give it another go when it comes out on dvd.

Hi Carole! I'm tqd on bookcrossing (just to confuse you :).

I've got Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures on Mt TBR - a bookcrossed copy, even, so I will hopefully get to it sooner rather than later. I've heard good things.

I had my first chance to spend some time the local library today. (Raining, and abandoned by my husband who wanted to go shopping in yet another specialised food store.) I appreciated the opportunity, but I have realised that this library is not organised in any way that I have ever seen. Totally random describes it best. No literary fiction. I need to explore on-line and see whether it is ALL out. So I have come away with a whole heap of mindless airport fiction, which is about where my headspace is at the moment anyway.

I had my first chance to spend some time the local library today. (Raining, and abandoned by my husband who wanted to go shopping in yet another specialised food store.) I appreciated the opportunity, but I have realised that this library is not organised in any way that I have ever seen. Totally random describes it best. No literary fiction. I need to explore on-line and see whether it is ALL out. So I have come away with a whole heap of mindless airport fiction, which is about where my headspace is at the moment anyway.

I've abandoned all attempts at literary fiction and it seems to be working for me :D

just finished Meat Is Murder and it was very good. I think I know someone who'll appreciate it so I'll pop it in the post next week, my first RABCK in ages :)

I've started on Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together which I'll finish later today I expect, then on to something else irresponsible..

I am reading non-fiction Mad dogs and an English Woman by Polly Evans - Polly is in Canada in the middle of winter learning how to ride on a sled behind six very bossy huskies.

Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together was as much fun as the first three books in the series, two more to read then I can see the movie..

I've just spent *way* too long flicking through my shelves looking for something to read next before settling on Foop!

freelunch, we got out last night and saw "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World" and enjoyed it immensely. Just very funny and silly and highly entertaining. I should get around to reading the books at some stage now.

Now I'm getting serious. I went to a real bookshop, and got the latest Joanne Harris Book, BlueEyedBoy. Now I'm waiting for the latest Kate Atkinson book to come out next month, Started Early, Took My Dog.

I saw 'The first day of the rest of my life', a French movie, tonight, with a couple of friends. My French is improving.

My French was always appalling. When I travelled in France, the only phrase I learnt was "I'm sorry, I do not speak French" (but in French, of course). I relied on my boyfriend (who did speak French!) to do all the talking. (In return, I was in charge of German and Italian. Neither of which I speak, but I was willing to do anything to get out of mangling French with my appalling accent.)

Squeee for a new Kate Atkinson novel! I don't seem to ever buy her books though, I just always get them through the library. One day I'll add them to my shelves, I think they're worthy of re-reads.

Still enjoying The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest. Although I am wondering if I need this much detail about the Swedish constitution.

Finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest and enjoyed myself very much, although at times I was ready to strangle someone over the level of detail in all the set up. I don't think I really needed to know that much about the Swedish constitution. Still, a satisfying end to the trilogy. (And I'm missing Lisbeth already. Such a great character.)

I have just started The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross. Finding it a little hard to wrap my head around at the moment (maybe I should have read more Lovecraft or done more maths as an undergrad or just gotten a bit more sleep) but it's definitely a book I want to stick with. Love all the pop culture references, and I'll adore anything that mentions Alan Turing. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Turing if you're not familiar with his name.)

>29 wookiebender: then you'll be wanting to read The Turing Test. I've not yet read it myself but I've read positive reviews, and I have a spare copy kicking about somewhere.. :)

#30> Yes, I probably would. :)

I do have a number of your Dr Who novels kicking around at the moment. I'm hoping to get to them sooner rather than later (er, you've heard that before, haven't you?) as I'm trying to read more bookcrossed books (as part of my set-it-yourself reading challenge over on BC). I'm not quite sure what the order is (if there is one), but I'm sure it'll be listed on LT somewhere.

And I'll also be chuffed if I knock off Empowered. Mr TQD read them already, and enjoyed them muchly.

Empowered is great. I think the other books you have that were mine are all worth the time. If I can find my spare The Turing Test it might turn up stuffing a future envelope :)

Well, I *am* still reading The Atrocity Archives (got over the somewhat thrown-in-the-deep-end beginning) but Charles Stross is in Sydney this week, signing books at the fabulous Galaxy Bookshop, so the friend that I borrowed this from has reclaimed it because she can get to the bookshop to get it signed (and I can't). I'll get it back at some stage, but in the meantime picked up By The Pricking of my Thumbs which I was sort-of reading on the weekend so I thought I may as well make it an official read.

Empowered soon. :)

Finished, and enjoyed (apart from a slightly messy ending, with too many threads to wrap up) By the Pricking of my Thumbs. I enjoy the Englishness of Christie's novels.

Have moved on to Silent in the Grave, a historical mystery with Lady Julia Grey, first in a series of 3 or 4 now. Superbly good fun, I think I'm addicted.

Empowered soon. :}

since >25 anxovert: I've read the final two Scott Pilgrims and enjoyed them (and seen the film which was also good, and very different to the books)

I'm still reading Foop which is OK I guess but the humour in it seems kind of lame (mostly because it strongly reminds me of my own..)

the humour in it seems kind of lame (mostly because it strongly reminds me of my own..)

Oh, that cracked me up. Does that mean I'll like Foop?

Finished Silent in the Grave in record time (the kids were rather neglected over the weekend, I am sad to say). The ending was a bit messy and not as much fun as the rest of the book (the humour got lost somewhere), but I'm definitely continuing with the series.

And because I didn't want to read a graphic novel on the bus (people look at you funny like; and I read them too fast for them to be a satisfying bus read) and it's due back at the library soon, I've picked up The Ghost Writer by John Harwood. Slightly slow start (I spent a lot of time admiring the clouds out the bus window instead of reading) but I think I've got the hook now.

I got all excited there for a moment, having recently seen the film 'The Ghost Writer'. But that was based on a book by Robert Harris. (Although LibraryThing doesn't seem to have heard of it. Perhaps I'm wrong. It happens.)
Over the past few days I've read, much to my disgust, Scarpetta and the The Scarpetta Factor. I'm not even going to go in to the reasons why I hated them. I should have known better. Cornwell's only good book was her first.
I'm starting Wolf Hall tonight, which I'm really looking forward to.

Oh, I *knew* The Ghost Writer sounded so familiar for a reason! Sydney bookcrossers have seen the movie, and really enjoyed it. It's on my shortlist, but I'll probably miss it.

This The Ghost Writer is a ghost story, by a Taswegian author.

I hope you like Wolf Hall as much as I did!

Got a bit too distracted away from The Ghost Writer by Empowered last night. Found the mini-story style (more vignettes than real stories) a bit distracting at first (I wanted more!), but then it all clicked rather. Love the meta-textuality of it, and the minor characters, especially the Violator of Worlds, trapped in a er, trappy thing, and forced to watch TV.

Halfway through, expect a JE before Xmas, ok, freelunch? :)

before Christmas is good :)

Vol. 2 is a little less "vignettey"

I've just finished Foop! a very silly book.

next I shall read I, Strahd, a bit of background for the new Castle Ravenloft boardgame (released this week and from early reports really rather good)

Finished Empowered (Vol 1) late last night. Good fun!