Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

R.D. wrote: "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, although completely silly is a wonderful and truly original book. I reread it again during 2010 and enjoyed it just as much as the first time when it came out in 2005."

Yes, it was pretty silly- but very enjoyable. I particularly liked the footnotes.

Helena wrote: "A few of my favourites from 2010... a couple are re-reads that I did for book clubs, but I loved them in 2010 just the same:

In no particular order:
1. The Pearl
2.[book:Lamb: The Gosp..."

Love browsing in bookstores too- just wish there were more of them around to browse in!

Rick wrote: "Helena wrote: "A few of my favourites from 2010... a couple are re-reads that I did for book clubs, but I loved them in 2010 just the same:

In no particular order:
1. The Pearl
2.[..."

Best get a move on if you want to browse bookshops. Amazon have announced that they are selling 115 Ebooks for every 100 paperbacks & this years Mann Booker prize panel have been issued with Kindles.
Industry pundits reckon that chain store bookshops will go the way of video rental stores. I'm all for progress but if they all disappear it'd be a shame. I suppose pure economics will decide their fate as it does everything else in this world.

Robin wrote: "My idea of going into a bookstore, I head for the classics, and write down the titles that I end up trying to borrow at the library. I love also going into hardware stores but the books tend to fa..."

I can spend hours there too Robin. I didn't have paper with me during my last visit, so i texted my books into my phone. got one with a coupon, then headed home to the laptop and bought the rest from Betterworldbooks. I'm not a fan of hardware stores however LOL

R.D. wrote: "Rick wrote: "Helena wrote: "A few of my favourites from 2010... a couple are re-reads that I did for book clubs, but I loved them in 2010 just the same:

In no particular order:
1. [book:The Pearl|..."

I did hear about that on the radio on way to work this week- scary to think of a world with bookstores- to browse, socialize, meet authors...I am so happy I was born when I was- so many wonderful hours spent in small independent bookstores- long gone now

R.D. wrote: "Rick wrote: "Helena wrote: "A few of my favourites from 2010... a couple are re-reads that I did for book clubs, but I loved them in 2010 just the same:

How sad, but I can see it happening sooner, rather than later. There’s only one or two ‘mom & pop� book shops in my region now.

Helena wrote: "R.D. wrote: "Rick wrote: "Helena wrote: "A few of my favourites from 2010... a couple are re-reads that I did for book clubs, but I loved them in 2010 just the same:

How sad, but I can see it happ..."

Near me- there is a Barnes & Noble- which I love going to, a used bookstore and then the large stores that have book sections. The Borders and Waldenbooks have closed as well

in no particular order of the books published in 2010

Room by emma donoghue
Mr. Peanut by andrew ross
muscle memory by steve lowe
how to fail by aaron goldfarb
sex sin and zen by brad warner

Jasmine wrote: "in no particular order of the books published in 2010

Room by emma donoghue
Mr. Peanut by andrew ross
muscle memory by steve lowe
how to fail by aaron goldfarb
sex sin and zen by brad warner"

interesting- Room- which I did not read- has gotten alot of negative feedback in the Group- what made it stand out for you? love the diversity of thought!

Spoilers
Rick wrote: "interesting- Room- which I did not read- has gotten alot of negative feedback in the Group- what made it stand out for you? love the diversity of though"

Actually that's really interesting because I don't know anyone who didn't like it, and everyone I knew who read it didn't think they would or had serious reservations.

It's a really honest book. Instead of that terrible precocious child narrator you usually get in books narrated by children what you get is a lot closer to a normal child. He gets angry that he has to leave room, he worries about furniture and his things. I think the author really thought about what a child knows and what a child thinks.

Jasmine wrote: "Spoilers
Rick wrote: "interesting- Room- which I did not read- has gotten alot of negative feedback in the Group- what made it stand out for you? love the diversity of though"

Actually that's real..."
interesting- very much- check out the most dissapointing book thread- Room has been mentioned quite a bit- I.myself, withhold judgement:>)

well 800 posts is a bit much to get through, but basically what I see are the same complaints from other reviewers here. The way the child talked and the lack of detail. Both of which are central to the book working. If the child talked like an adult and knew everything that happened there would be no reason for the book to be narrated by a child.

but of course that's just my opinion.

Jasmine wrote: "well 800 posts is a bit much to get through, but basically what I see are the same complaints from other reviewers here. The way the child talked and the lack of detail. Both of which are central t..."

and that is what is most important- your opinion- in James Mason Land- there are no wrong opinions! just ones that differ

We have a bookstore, that has a little area for the kids to hang out and play. My daughter loved that area, she even wanted their wicker chair.LOL

Robin wrote: "We have a bookstore, that has a little area for the kids to hang out and play. My daughter loved that area, she even wanted their wicker chair.LOL"

isn't that the perfect family night out, Robin? a place for your daughter- and books everywhere!!

Some books I enjoyed in 2010, No particular order...

The "Eleanor of Aquataine" series by Sharon K. Penman
which includes "When Christ and His Saints Slept."
"Time and Chance" & "The Devils' Brood."
"American Caesar" by william Manchester. A biography of Gen. Douglass MacArthur. Fascinating glimpse into the character of the general who was a well--deserved hero in WW11, but became controversial in Peace.
"Independence Day" by richard Ford. Today's America, well written (part of a series of 3, using the same characters in slightly different settings.)
"Wish You Were Here" by Stewart O'Nan. A family closes a summer cottage, planning on putting it up for sale. Memories are recalled by different members of the family. Well=written look at today's America.

On the pure entertainment level the books of last year for me we're definately the "....Dragon tattoo series", They were pretty much the first books I read last year and I really feel like I want to read them again sometime, they really are fantastically gripping reads.

As for something a little more complex I finally finished Ulysses which was very rewarding because I never thought I would actually manage to get through it. The best I read though was the last book I read last year being Johnathon Franzen's new masterpiece "Freedom" which I really thought was an amazing read.

The only downside for me was that I kinda fell out with reading for most of last year, which is something I look forward to re-capturing this year!

Two of the books I read last year are among the besst literature I've ever read:

Dhalgren by Samuel Delany
At Swim Two Boys by Jamie O'Neill

Perhaps the most important book I read last year is Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, the "sequel to 1984"

Kernos wrote: "Perhaps the most important book I read last year is Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, the "sequel to 1984" "

how did you feel about that book? I read down and out in the magic kingdom and it just felt so stupid. But he's my fathers favorite author so if I just got unlucky I'd be willing to give him another chance

Simon wrote: "On the pure entertainment level the books of last year for me we're definately the "....Dragon tattoo series", They were pretty much the first books I read last year and I really feel like I want t..."

Congrats on finishing Ulysses!! something I cannot claim!

My top five reads for 2010 were:

1. Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver
2. The Castings Trilogy by Pamela Freeman
3. Along Came A Fifer by R. Michael Phillips
4. Green Rider by Kristen Britain
5. Fortune's Foe by Michele Stegman

Cheryl wrote: "My top five reads for 2010 were:

1. Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver
2. The Castings Trilogy by Pamela Freeman
3. Along Came A Fifer by R. Michael..."

interesting list!!

I read so many great books last year so I will just name a few stand outs in no particular order
In Fiction:
Saving Ceecee Honeycuttby, Beth Hoffman
Cleopatra's Daughterby, Michelle Moran
The Kitchen Houseby, Kathleen Grissom
Still Aliceby, Lisa Genova
The Girl Who Chased the Moon


In fantasy:
Stormwardenby, Janny Wurts
Silver Borneby, Patricia Briggs
Soulless by, Gail Carriger
The entire Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Series byDouglas Adams

in Non-Fiction:
Little Madhouse On The Prairie: A True-Life Story of Overcoming Abuse and Healing the Spiritby, Marion Elizabeth Witte
Everything by, Celia Rivenbark

Classics:
My Antonia by, Willa Cather
Jane Eyre by, Charlotte Bronte

Myteries:
Nine Dragons by, Michael Connelly

The Poacher's Sonby, Paul Dioran

In Young Adult:
Shiver&Lingerby,Maggie Syiefvater
The Hunger Games Series by, Suzanne Collins
Hatchetby, Gary Paulsen


thats just a sampling I had a great reading year last year!

R.D. wrote: "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, although completely silly is a wonderful and truly original book. I reread it again during 2010 and enjoyed it just as much as the first time when it came out in 2005."

I've tried to read this several times, I think I'll try again. Maybe I just wasn't in the right place to read it and enjoy it.

Marsha wrote: "
I've tried to read this several times, I think I'll try again. Maybe I just wasn't in the right place to read it and enjoy it.
"

I loved it, but it's definitely a weird book to read. I think it really needs to be savored, you can't just read it for the sake of it I think. If it makes sense you just have to let yourself go when you read it.

Rick wrote: "Helena wrote: "R.D. wrote: "Rick wrote: "Helena wrote: "A few of my favourites from 2010... a couple are re-reads that I did for book clubs, but I loved them in 2010 just the same:

How sad, but ..."

Bloomberg News says that Border's will be declaring bankruptcy by next week. Just used my border's bucks. It's sad, it's only a mile away and i love to go there, get a cup of coffee and browse. I usually took down the titles however, and bought from a discount online bookseller however. I just can't justify the $15 paperback that I read in several days. I've still got B & N about 25 miles away but...it's worth the drive to hang out with books.

Susie wrote: "I read so many great books last year so I will just name a few stand outs in no particular order
In Fiction:
Saving Ceecee Honeycuttby, Beth Hoffman
[book:Cleopatra's Daughter|634..."

great list- but standout for me is Stormwarden by, Janny Wurts - Janny is such a great person!! ..and James Masoner!

Bernadette wrote: "Rick wrote: "Helena wrote: "R.D. wrote: "Rick wrote: "Helena wrote: "A few of my favourites from 2010... a couple are re-reads that I did for book clubs, but I loved them in 2010 just the same:

..."

I agree completely and relate- just hanging out with books...it really is awonderful and calming atmosphere..and the knowledge that so many 100,000's of stories and adventures are just within reach is a great feeling!

Rick wrote: "great list- but standout for me is Stormwarden by, Janny Wurts - Janny is such a great person!! ..and James Masoner!"

Yes she is we have emailed back and forth and she has recommended some great books to me! I loved Stormwarden!

Susie wrote: "Rick wrote: "great list- but standout for me is Stormwarden by, Janny Wurts - Janny is such a great person!! ..and James Masoner!"

Yes she is we have emailed back and forth and she has recommend..."

such a kind and talented lady!

Bernadette wrote: "Rick wrote: "Helena wrote: "R.D. wrote: "Rick wrote: "Helena wrote: "A few of my favourites from 2010... a couple are re-reads that I did for book clubs, but I loved them in 2010 just the same:

..."

It looks like it'll be a Chapter 11 reorganization. I just went to an article at Google and they are talking about closing something like 125 stores. Just hope my local isn't one (okay, I do know of about 7 that aren't too far away).

Despite having a kindle, I still buy a fair amount of physical books, and most of them are done at Borders.

I, too, like the free card. I stopped going to B&N when they closed one store only to move across the street, leaving an empty store for 4-5 years. Cricket or Clear Line or something has finally moved in there.

At least when Borders moved, they moved a couple of blocks away and to a spot across the street from the new movie theater - so there was the possibility of more business, despite it being a slightly smaller store.

We went on vacation to the Big Island, and they were closing a Borders, and there were tons of people in that store. The economy is hurting everyone everywhere.

Robin wrote: "We went on vacation to the Big Island, and they were closing a Borders, and there were tons of people in that store. The economy is hurting everyone everywhere."

I just heard that Borders will likely file for bankruptcy next week. So sad!

Marsha wrote: "Robin wrote: "We went on vacation to the Big Island, and they were closing a Borders, and there were tons of people in that store. The economy is hurting everyone everywhere."

I just heard that B..."

I wouldn't panic. The article I saw last night made it look as if it would be a corporate reorganization-type bankruptcy, or a Chapter 11. They'll close some of their stores, probably where they are overpopulated. For instance, there are at least 7 stores within 5-10 miles of me.

They had a similar threat a couple of years ago. I think they unloaded most of the Walden stores then.

Jan C wrote: "I, too, like the free card. I stopped going to B&N when they closed one store only to move across the street, leaving an empty store for 4-5 years. Cricket or Clear Line or something has finally moved in there. "

I can tell you that they do this a lot. well not the leaving it vacant part that probably has something to do with the area. but as far as new york goes every time they closed a store they've opened a new one. On the other hand they aren't closing them for no reason it has to do with rents and stuff. But here various things move in, I know one became a trader joe's.

Jasmine wrote: "Jan C wrote: "I, too, like the free card. I stopped going to B&N when they closed one store only to move across the street, leaving an empty store for 4-5 years. Cricket or Clear Line or something ..."

It hss to do with the economy and the rents.

I learned yesterday that TJ's has been in discussion on one or another property in town for six years. The nearest one is about 20 minutes away.

Jan C wrote: "Jasmine wrote: "Jan C wrote: "I, too, like the free card. I stopped going to B&N when they closed one store only to move across the street, leaving an empty store for 4-5 years. Cricket or Clear Li..."

yeah totally. I mean here they usually move from a really expensive neighborhood to a close cheaper neighborhood.

2010 reads:
The Thirteenth Tale
The White Tiger
The Piano Teacher
Pride and Prejudice, again
My Utmost for His Highest

The Pizza Hut and Dominoes in our shopping center had to move. Due to high rent I suppose. They should have least kept the Pizza Hut one open.

Robin wrote: "The Pizza Hut and Dominoes in our shopping center had to move. Due to high rent I suppose. They should have least kept the Pizza Hut one open."

:) good with reading, I know. Economy ruining simple things lie that too huh? :)

Another two books that I enjoyed I 2010 were The Calligrapher and Night Music. Very good.

The Tiger: A True Story of Vengeance and Survival. Gripping.

Sonia wrote: "2010 reads:
The Thirteenth Tale
The White Tiger
The Piano Teacher
Pride and Prejudice, again
My Utmost for His Highest"

Sonia,
I've read both My Utmost for his Highest and The Thirteenth Tale - I agree, both were very good.

Horns by Joe Hill

Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman might just have climbed to the top of my best books ever list!

Lucien wrote: "Horns by Joe Hill

Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman might just have climbed to the top of my best books ever list!"

new one to me- thanks!

My faves from 2010:
Ordinary Wolves: A Novel
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Ghostwritten
A Prayer for Owen Meany
Small Wonder: Essays
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
The Speed of Dark

Oh, it was a good year! I almost forgot:
Peace Like a River

okay then I adored Peace Like a River, Loved Sawtelle even though the ending was strange and enjoyed Balzac. Forgot those for 2010. Thanks Judy.

I t ried reading Sawtelle, it seemed too distracting to me.

Robin did you read Peace Like A River? Very good. Strange and good.