Tea & Books - What are you reading?

1992 Replies
gmathis said

Just finished Execution Dock by Anne Perry: her William Monk mysteries feature the seedy armpits and underbellies of Victorian London along with some pretty brilliant courtroom drama. Monk’s wife Hester is fierce, staunch, loyal, and compassionate. Oliver Twist meets Florence Nightingale meets … (insert well-known backstreet cop here).

Wow … sounds like a very interesting setting and character. It looks like this is number 16 in a 21 book series. Is this a series that’s best read from the beginning, or can you jump in anywhere?

gmathis said

Since I graze for my reading material at used bookstores, I read series out of order more often than I do in the proper sequence. I think you could join this one in progress without difficulty (I did), but I’d recommend “Face of a Stranger” (the first one) and maybe one toward the middle to get a feel for the character development. They’re all good. (She also does a WWI series that’s superb and a long-running series with Thomas and Charlotte Pitt—closer to the 1890’s).

gmathis — Thanks! On my next trip to the used bookstore I’ll see what I can find. Will also check the library.

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I’m reading some classic novels (as I do in Autumn)- Shirley by Charlotte Bronte, and The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

gmathis said

I had a recent autumnal urge to pull out Mark Twain and Charles Dickens :) Now, to figure out how to schedule them into the to-read queue before the urge disappears!

I like to read Pickwick Papers in late Autumn/ early Winter.

What Dickens are you reading?

gmathis said

Great Expectations is on the stack. I have never read the Pickwick Papers, but now that you mention it…. :)

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Rasseru said

finished a head full of ghosts. (i read a lot, and even more as ive been ill) it was a 4.5/5. nice subtle ending and quirky style. interesting.

20% through NOS4A2 by Joe Hill, and eek! its getting creepy

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I’m drinking Imperial Gold Bud from Whispering Pines Tea and reading The Ice Princess from Swedish author Camilla Lackberg. A very decent mystery novel so far.

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Ubacat said

I am reading The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison. There are so many confusing names to keep track of I wasn’t sure who was who. I finally saw the list in the back of the book with an explanation of all the names. I don’t know how the author could have possibly thought up all those unusual names.

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Inkling said

I like to switch back and forth between fiction and non-fiction, so I just finished “Eleanor & Park” by Rainbow Rowell (one of the best YA novels I’ve read recently!) and am now starting “Better Than Before” by Gretchen Rubin (I got a lot of helpful tips from her “Happiness Project” and “Happier at Home”, so I’m interested to see what new ideas she has to share in this one.)

Serenity said

I adored E&P so much. I am waiting for Carry On at my local library.

Inkling said

Have you read anything else by Rainbow Rowell? I picked up “Landline” a while back and just couldn’t get into it.

Serenity said

Um, yeah: everything! Landline was not my favorite. The Attachments: enjoyed it. Fangirl = loved. And Carry On is a sort of fanfic of her own work in Fangirl. Can’t wait. But Eleanor & Park stands out for me. :)

Lindsay said

I just read Fangirl last week. :) Will have to try Eleanor & Park.

Inkling said

@Serenity Maybe I should try “Fangirl”. Thanks for the tip!

@Lindsay Yes, I definitely recommend it!

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nycoma said

the slow regard of silent things by patrick rothfuss

carol who said

I loved that series!

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MoxTea said

I’ve been reading ‘My Struggle’ Book 2 by Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgaard. It’s a lengthy and pretty in-depth book but he’s a great writer. Tea is my reading buddy through most chapters :)

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Currently reading an anthology of hard SF short stories called “Carbide-Tipped Pens”. But today I just posted my review of Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton: http://booksandtea.ca/2015/10/tooth-and-claw-by-jo-walton-pride-and-prejudice-and-dragons/

Rasseru said

interested in what you think of the SF collection!

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tigress_al said

I am reading “Enders game.” It is a teen sci-fi. It’s also recently a movie, but I have to finish the book before I watch the movie.

Inkling said

That’s a fascinating book! I found it extremely thought-provoking.

I read the book before seeing the movie. I enjoyed the movie more because I knew the details which got omitted or glossed over in the making of the movie.

Inkling said

@TeaExplorer Yeah, they definitely left a lot out in the movie (guess they had to or it would have been super-long and/or lost the PG-13 rating). I enjoyed it, but I thought the book was better!

tigress_al said

I tend to enjoy the books better than the movies. I like the details!

Uniquity said

I have that at home to read and look forward to it but I have personal issues with Orson Scott Card and some of his views on things, so I am torn about reading it. I can never fully separate an author from his or her work. :(

Roughage said

I have the same problem with Orson Scott Card, Uniquity, although I have read Ender’s Game and quite enjoyed it. I find the same thing with other authors and with actors: I can’t watch anything with Tom Cruise or John Travolta in it these days because I cannot separate the actor from the role. On the other hand, learning about Philip K. Dick’s real life has enhanced his works for me. Swings and roundabouts, I guess.

MzPriss said

I am anti-Orson Scott Card. I have a hard time separating as well. Beside, there is PLENTY to read.

tigress_al said

I had never actually heard of this author before I read this book. Good thing I guess because you 3 are right, it is hard to separate an author or actor from their work.

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