What are you reading?

"Paddy on the Hardwood" about a basketball coach who goes to Ireland to coach a team of misfits and also about his journey into Irish fiddle.  It's OK--it seems to be a bit bland though.

The End of Mr. Y by Scarlett Thomas

Please let me know what you thought of it once you're done. I'd love to have someone else's opinion on it!

I just finished this a few days ago - although it is grim, it is one of the best books I've read this year, or even ever.  And if you haven't already read The Kite Runner, that is also a fantastic book about Afghanistan.

The Kite Runner was on my to-read list until I read A Thousand Splendid Suns. But now I'm not sure I could emotionally handle it.

The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy

The Kite Runner was on my to-read list until I read A Thousand Splendid Suns. But now I'm not sure I could emotionally handle it.

I know what you mean.  Maybe let some time pass before you read it.  I think I read it at least a year ago, maybe longer.  It is a really good book, but it is grim.


Just finished Mudbound by Hillary Jordan, another harrowing but extremely well-written tale.  This one takes place in the deep south of the USA.  I think I need to find something a bit more light-hearted for my next book.

I'm in the final stages of my Ph.D. program, and I want to submit by Valentine's Day, and with all the activities around the end of term-time pressure has been mounting at an alarming rate over the last few weeks.

Obviously it's time to read the Baroque Cycle.  Three books, 800-odd pages each.

I kill myself sometimes.

I just read the Wikipedia article on this writer, and he seems intriguing.  Have you read his other books?

Please let me know what you thought of it once you're done. I'd love to have someone else's opinion on it!

I definitely will.  I am about half-way done with it. It's hard to put down.

The Kite Runner was on my to-read list until I read A Thousand Splendid Suns. But now I'm not sure I could emotionally handle it.

I finished A Thousand Splendid Suns over the weekend. It was strangely uplifting for such a sad story; I think this one has to go on my favorites list.

I will have to leave it a good long while before reading The Kite Runner, I think.

I am reading The Last Precinct by Patricia Cornwell.  I'm almost caught up in the Scarpetta series!

Alternating between Nella Last's War, Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets and Mayor of Castro Street. I'm on a serious non-fiction kick, I think.

The Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir...I am FINALLY getting through my library books!

I just read the Wikipedia article on this writer, and he seems intriguing.  Have you read his other books?

Neal Stephenson?  I read and loved Cryptonomicon, but haven't read his older stuff (e.g. Snow Crash.)  The Baroque Cycle is set in the same world (well, version of world history) as Cryptonomicon.

Neal Stephenson?  I read and loved Cryptonomicon, but haven't read his older stuff (e.g. Snow Crash.)  The Baroque Cycle is set in the same world (well, version of world history) as Cryptonomicon.

My husband really liked Crytonomicon.  Would you recommend The Baroque Cycle for him?

I need a gift from my brother in law. We usually exchange books at xmas but I'm kinda drawing a blank. He read and loved The Smartest Guys in the Room. Do you think he'd enjoy Barbarians at the Gate or Liar's Poker?

My husband really liked Crytonomicon.  Would you recommend The Baroque Cycle for him?

Yes, although it might take him two tries to get going.  I read the first 100 pages or so of Quicksilver, didn't like it, came back to it three years later (i.e. the other week) and got absorbed enough that I didn't put it down again.  I've been told that I'm far from the only one who had this happen.