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I thought this would be a good thread to discuss what other books members are reading and whether or not they would recommend them.

I am currently reading Rebecca, though I am not supposed to be because it's on The List. I just finished reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower and loved it. I would highly recommend it.

I am currently reading The Jade Peony. Just read Rebecca last year and adored it. Last book I read was Last Night in Twisted Riverby John Irvingand I thought it terrific.

Florence wrote: "I am currently reading The Jade Peony. Just read Rebecca last year and adored it. Last book I read was Last Night in Twisted Riverby John Irvingand I thought it terrific."

The Jade Peonylooks really interesting. It's a piece of Canadian literature I was unaware of. Can't wait to read your review. So glad you joined the group.

Jennifer wrote: "I am currently reading Rebecca, though I am not supposed to be because it's on The List. I just finished reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower and loved it. I would highly recommend it."

Is "Perks" really as short as it looks? I got it from the library and thought they had sent me an abridged version. Not sure what all the fuss is about, but I'm going to read it and find out!

Alana wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I am currently reading Rebecca, though I am not supposed to be because it's on The List. I just finished reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower and loved it. I would highly recom..."

Yes, it is a very short read. I was surprised too, but there isn't an abridged version. I adored the main character. I hope you like it as much as I did.

I'll probably enjoy it just due to the fact that I can read it in a couple of hours, unlike some of my recent choices! lol

True. I have not been very disciplined in my reading at all and I haven't been reading according to my schedule. I am behind in reading David Copperfieldand The Brothers Karamazov

I hope that I catch up eventually.

I've been all over the place lately in books. I just started I Am Not A Serial Killer I am not sure yet as to a recommendation or not. I read A Touch of Dead a collection of Sookie Stackhouse short stories and they were all cute if you know the series. I read Still Alice on the plane and it was amazing totally recommend it. Before that I went through several of Gregory Maguire's and while Wicked and Son of a Witch are awesome ... Lost and Mirror Mirror were nowhere near the same. Think that sums up the last few weeks worth of reading.

Finished two books yesterday that I've been working on, The Master Butchers Singing Club, which is about a German immigrant and his family and a young woman who has to go home to take care of her father for awhile, set in between the World Wars. Number two was Sense and Sensibility which was a re-read for me, but still wonderful and refreshingly predictable (in the Jane Austen kind of way), a nice change from some of my more difficult reads lately.

Just got done with The Dog Stars, which was actually a recommended read by Gillian Flynn and David Baldacci on an interview I saw with them. The review is kind of long so I'll just post the link. I gave it 4 stars, an interesting read.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Sounds like something worth reading. Thanks for the review. I will add it to my to be read list.

Alana wrote: "Just got done with The Dog Stars, which was actually a recommended read by Gillian Flynn and David Baldacci on an interview I saw with them. The review is kind of long so I'll just post the link. I..."

I plan on reading that as well, Alana. Sure getting rave reviews.

It's got some long, just thinking parts, but it's mixed in with enough action that it doesn't lull too much.

Finished V for Vendetta yesterday. I still do not totally know how to feel about this one. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower (for some reason the edition always comes up as the spanish one, but whatever). My review is rather lengthy, so I'll just post the link. I rated a very generous 2 stars (in my head, 1.5).

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Alana wrote: "Finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower (for some reason the edition always comes up as the spanish one, but whatever). My review is rather lengthy, so I'll just post the link. I rated a very gene..."

Alana, I am so sorry that you didn't like it. At least now you won't be left wondering. If you happen to see the movie, let us know what you think of that. I haven't seen it yet, but I really liked the book.

I finished The Jade Peony, gave it 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended if the Chinese culture is of interest. My review:
"http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Currently reading The Sense of an Ending - 1 word, fabulous:)

Jennifer wrote: "Florence wrote: "I am currently reading The Jade Peony. Just read Rebecca last year and adored it. Last book I read was Last Night in Twisted Riverby John Irvingand I thought it terrific."

The Jad..."

Sorry I missed this post Jennifer, glad to be here! How's Rebecca treating you? So hope you're enjoying it.

Florence wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Florence wrote: "I am currently reading The Jade Peony. Just read Rebecca last year and adored it. Last book I read was Last Night in Twisted Riverby John Irvingand I thought it t..."

I just actually started reading it yesterday or the day before. I am loving it, but haven't been finding enough time to actually read. It's haunting, dream-like and poetic with one of the best opening paragraphs I have read so far.

Jennifer wrote: "Florence wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Florence wrote: "I am currently reading The Jade Peony. Just read Rebecca last year and adored it. Last book I read was Last Night in Twisted Riverby John Irvinga..."

Yeah, everybody says that, because it's true! So memorable...

Jennifer wrote: "Alana wrote: "Finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower (for some reason the edition always comes up as the spanish one, but whatever). My review is rather lengthy, so I'll just post the link. I rat..."

I really do hate to write a scathing review, especially when I know so many other people liked it so much, including people that I definitely listen to and respect their opinions on books. Can't help but be honest, though. I read the book to see if I was even interested in seeing the movie, and I'm not. Too many other good ones out there to see. O well, at least I've read it!

Alana wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Alana wrote: "Finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower (for some reason the edition always comes up as the spanish one, but whatever). My review is rather lengthy, so I'll just po..."

An honest review is best. LOL. If I had taken the time to have written a review for Camus' The Plague this summer, it definitely would have been scathing in tone.

Hi, for any one thinking about reading the 2011 Booker Prize Winner “The Sense Of An Ending�� I’ve just finished it. It’s a quick read, I really liked it��
Posting a review, no spoilers: ��http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...��

Now I’m reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Have any of you read Cormac McCarthy's The Road I went to read several mixed reviews on this book, and I'm pretty sure that if I'm hating it now, I'm going to despise it later, so I think I will be putting this one down after a record ten pages. I NEVER do that, which should tell you how much I'm disliking it thus far. Please let me know if I'm making a horrible mistake.

I just did a re-read of Pride & Prejudice for a book club. With all of my being I want to rise above the majority, not be taken in by the whims of thousands of gullible women and not submits to the charms of this book, only giving it a four-star rating. Alas, I cannot. I picked this one as my "bedtime, something easy to put me to sleep" reading, and ending up listening to it practically all in one day. The writing is so engaging, the characters so believable and the story so engrossing that I simply could not put it down.

I thought to myself, "Well, if I must give it five stars, I must give creditable reason for doing so." Thus, here is my answer; the Bennett family is so captivating because every single one of us can envision one of its members in our own family. There is the outrageous mother who is so wishy-washy and fully focused on her own desires, to the neglect and outright indulgence of her children. Then we have the older sister, sweet, shy and often misunderstood simply because she is wise and does not wear all of her emotions on her sleeve. The bookish, yet unafraid to speak her mind, modern yet conscientious heroine who, despite her poor position, looks rather down her nose at her more wealthy neighbors, thinking that they in turn peer down their noses at her, how many of us could not relate to? Then there is Mary, who has very little going for her and often makes a joke of herself in public. The two youngest are the truest teenagers that cause nothing but anguish for the rest of the more mild household. Their father is a balance of propriety and indulgence, sometimes holding firm, other times allowing his wife her own ridiculousness.

The gentlemen are equally well presented. There is the rich yet shy gentleman who relies heavily on his friend's influence. There are the snobby sisters that think they are worth more to humanity than their more humble neighbors. The rich man who appears proud until the details of his life are sufficiently flushed out slowly becomes more amiable as the story goes on. Let's not forget, of course, the most outrageous character of all, the cousin who is completely prideful in his humility and spends most of the novel being a tattletale!

These wonderful characters, instead of becoming overwhelming and clashing horribly, are instead put together in such a way to create a smoothly flowing story of love, hate, forgiveness and civility that has rarely been matched. Yes, I am a woman and have so issues with admitting to my own bias for this particular novel, but it has so much to offer as a commentary on life in general that it has indeed earned the credit it has received not only for a romance but for a story of the class system and a character study. It's one I go back to again and again with no less enjoyment than the first time I read it years ago.

Finished Winter in Madrid, which was a suggestion in another group and it looked interesting so I went ahead and read it. For some reason I had trouble picking it up every day, but I really did enjoy the story and characters. Four stars. My review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Finished Into the Wild, the biography of Chris McCandless and his trek into the Alaska wilderness in the 90s. It was interesting, though I'm still debating what I really think about him as a person. My review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I just finished Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Absolutely incredible. I know not everyone likes war stories, and yes, that's what it is, but it's so much more than that. I can't wait to see what else Laura Hillenbrand comes up with. I'll put the review in spoilers, as it's rather long, but I didn't really reveal anything.

(view spoiler)[This is the best book I've read in years. I read Seabiscuit: An American Legend several years ago and found it phenomenal, but figured I was biased because I always enjoyed horses. When I saw Laura Hillenbrand had written another book, I couldn't wait to read it, although for some reason it kept getting pushed back farther in the stack. I should have picked it up ages ago.

We've all read, watched or heard WWII war stories and war stories from other eras. Maybe we think we know everything that happened. This book proves otherwise. Each story was unique and incredible. The things that occurred during that era are amazing, for both wonderful and horrific reasons. There are stories of miraculous survival and horrifying defeat. Somehow, Ms. Hillenbrand found a story that encompassed a slew of good and horrible things and followed a beautiful life story that is sure to change anyone that hears about it.

From the very opening chapters, I was laughing out loud at the antics of Louie, and had this been a Hollywood film I would have been incredulous; surely not ALL of those things could have happened to one boy! But no, it's a true story. I can't imagine what he put his mother through; precocious doesn't begin to describe it.

Then I was swept up in his ongoing adventure learning to be a world-class runner. I hadn't heard any of the story before, so each time I had no idea whether he would win or lose. I felt like I was in the stands cheering him on.

If I thought so many adventures could not have happened to one child, that was nothing for everything that happened to him during the war years. It is disturbing, frightening, appalling and compelling. There are images I want out of my head and stories that would encourage me in the darkest moment. The atrocities and hardships Louie and other soldiers endured is unimaginable. Learning about his life after the war is unsettling, yet makes me wonder how many times I have judged someone for an outburst when I have no idea where they might have been coming from.

The end of the story is just as compelling and beautiful as the beginning. It is everything the title asserts: survival, resilience and redemption of the deepest kind. This book will shock you, but it will uplift you. I know it's the oldest cliche out there, but if you never read another book about WWII or any other war, read this one. A hearty five stars.

**I listened to this book narrated by Edward Herrmann, who does a lot of narration for The History Channel. If you like the History Channel or narration by Edward Herrmann, you will love listening to this one; it's like listening to a special without all the visual effects. (hide spoiler)]

Finished Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking today... wow! Well worth the read. Everyone should read it, whether intro- or extroverted, or somewhere in-between. I found it very englightening. My review:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Just finished and loved it! I've seen the movie too many times to count but this is the first time I've read the book. If you like the movie you'll love the book! Buttercup seems a bit flakier in the book though. The background stories of Inigo and Fezzik were very interesting too to see how they ended up where they did with Vizzini.

Renee wrote: "Just finished and loved it! I've seen the movie too many times to count but this is the first time I've read the book. If you like the movie you'll love the b..."

I've watched that movie at least 10 times myself, just love it! Do you think it's as good or better than the movie?

Florence wrote: "Renee wrote: "Just finished and loved it! I've seen the movie too many times to count but this is the first time I've read the book. If you like the movie you..."

There really wasn't much in the book that wasn't in the movie other than the back stories and a little more about Buttercup and her parents in the beginning. It has to be the best adaptation I've seen. The dialogue was so spot on (almost word for word), and having seen the movie so many times, I found myself reading it in each character's voice from the movie :) So if you like the movie, you'll definitely like the book.

Renee wrote: "Florence wrote: "Renee wrote: "Just finished and loved it! I've seen the movie too many times to count but this is the first time I've read the book. If you l..."

Thanks Renee, the dialog was terrific. The 'is this the poison?', the wine glass switching bit just slays me every time I watch it. May read the book just for that.

I am reading We Need to Talk About Kevin as a July Month read for some other group... I find it little complex but slowing getting a hang of it :)

Pallavi wrote: "I am reading We Need to Talk About Kevin as a July Month read for some other group... I find it little complex but slowing getting a hang of it :)"

I really want to read that one Pallavi, though I suspect it will be very dark and quite depressing.

@Jennifer: It is Jennifer.. The mother Eva,who doesn't think like a mother, its creepy... She is so selfish and depressing ... Her character is the only one which i got to know right now.. but i heard from friends that reader will understand what,why,who,when etc as the story goes forward.. :)

I've heard that's an excellent book, but very dark. I'll read it eventually, but I've needed some more lighthearted reads lately. I'm getting ready to start The Aviator's Wife, finally. Seems like everyone else has read it already!

I have to wait until I am feeling a little more upbeat tp read We Need to Talk About Kevin, but it's definitely on my TBR list. Can't wait to hear what you think of it when you're done. Pallavi. Your book looks interesting too Alana. I have just started reading The Silver Linings Playbook

Alana wrote: "I just did a re-read of Pride & Prejudice for a book club. With all of my being I want to rise above the majority, not be taken in by the whims of thousands of gullible women and not submits to the..."

That's a great review Alana. I absolutely love Jane Austen. I am embarrassed to admit that I did not fully appreciate her when I first read Pride and Prejudicemany years ago. She is now one of my favourites.

I keep having "We Have to Talk About Kevin" recommended to me. I will have to put that one on my TBR list.

Just finished "The Burgess Boys" by Elizabeth Strout and was disappointed. I did not find it to have the amazing character development nor the emotional immediacy of "Amy and Isabel" or my dear friend Olive.

I just finished reading The Silver Linings Playbook and started reading A Farewell to Arms.

Jennifer wrote: "I just finished reading The Silver Linings Playbook and started reading A Farewell to Arms."

@Jennifer: Hows "The Silver Linings Playbook" ? Its in my this month's read list..

Pallavi wrote:
@Jennifer: Hows "The Silver Linings Playbook" ? Its in my this month's read list.."

Pallavi,

If you have already viewed the movie then you may be surprised by some of the ways in which the movie deviated from the book. The book is still funny and heartwarming, but it is definitely more realistic than the movie. It's a fast paced and pleasurable read. Hopefully you'll like it. The movie was very well done too, and I would highly recommend the movie if you have not already seen it.

Just finished "The Devil in the White City" and will be starting "That Old Cape Magic". Also, reading slowly, just a few pagesbefore I fall asleep each night, "A Bridge To Far" which seems to be a classic among WWII buffs.

Finished 4 stars. Enjoyed it better than Firefly Lane.

My Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Starting the final book in the Sookie Stackhouse series-

Continuing-

the last book I read was The Catcher In the Rye, J. D. Salinger.

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

This is a powerful family saga, filled with pain and tenderness, brutality and wisdom, terrific dry humor and sharp social critique. We are given three generations of a family filled with idiosyncratic characters whose rise and fall parallel the political shifts in a fictional South American country that could easily be the Chili of the author’s nationality.

I am currently reading 4:50 from Paddington ... and its quite nice...

Just finished Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe,even though it was weird at the beginning, it was really good as the story went forward :)

I recently finished reading Persuasion by Jane Austen. My thoughts are here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

Now I have started reading It by Stephen Kingand am thoroughly enjoying it, even though it has creeped me out and kept me awake some nights.