What are you reading?

[Meggie'sMom]

Any readers here? I guess I always thought this thread was for books about dogs, but by the description, that's not necessarily true. So, since I'm always on the look out for a good book and I love recommendations, I thought we could share some.

I recently finished the fiction book Any Bitter Thing by Monica Wood. It begins with a young woman named Lizzy being hit by a teenage driver while jogging. Her sense of awareness during the time she is left on the road, found by a driver, and the time she is in the hospital, leaves her convinced of one thing in particular -- she saw her deceased uncle, Father Mike (a Catholic priest), who raised her after her parents' death when she was a small child. In her search to find someone who'll believe her, she has to confront her troubled marriage and her relationship with her best friend, and she must revisit her childhood in a way she never could before. It is full of twists and turns that leave the reader reeling and thinking. I loved it. It would actually make a great discussion book for anyone in a book club.

[Jo Ellen]

I am reading The Last Days of St. Pierre, The Volcanic Disaster that Claimed 30,000 Lives.

It's about the volcanic eruption of Mount Pelee on the island of Martinique in 1902.

I mostly read non-fiction. One of my all-time favorites is Isaac's Storm about the hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900.

[waterabbit]

Hi guys! I LOVE to read!! I have been wanting to get in on a book club, but so far haven't been able to. I am reading JEB - America's Next Bush - His Florida Years and What they Mean for the Nation
I have had to deal with this guy as our governor for the last eight years. :eek: It is a little scary, but a good read.

[Lady Di]

Just finished Mitch Albom's "For One More Day". Good book. I love to read. My favorite author is Pat Conroy and my favorite book is Beach Music.

[Meggie'sMom]

Oh, I LOVE Pat Conroy! My favorite title of his is The Prince of Tides, though I love them all. I just wish he published more often! Seems like South Carolina has many wonderful authors from their state (Sue Monk Kidd, Anne Rivers Siddons, Dorothy Allison...). I just love the escapism of fiction and being from the American south, southern fiction is one of my favorite genres.

I like nonfiction as well though. Bill Bryson is one of my favorite nonfiction authors. I love A Walk in the Woods and recently read his childhood memoir The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid. What a riot! I'm not sure his works are ALL nonfiction though, lots of exaggeration, but very funny.

[Lady Di]

Meggie'sMom, I liked the Prince of Tides too. I enjoyed his book The Lords of Discipline as I have several friends who's son's have gone to The Citadel. Conroy took alot of flack for writing that book but apparently all is forgiven and he's been welcomed back at The Citadel. When he describes Charleston it's like I can close my eyes and picture it. He's an amazing writer. He lives on Fripp Island and people tell me he's just like the regular folks down there. Have you ever read any of his wife's books, Cassandra King is her name. I read one of them and it was an ok read. I really enjoy the southern authors especially Anne Rivers Siddons. Enjoyed Sullivan's Island by Dorthea Benton Frank but wasn't that crazy about her other books. Can't say I'm all that crazy about Sue Monk Kidd and I don't know why. I find her books a little depressing. Can't say that I've ever read any Dorothy Allison, I'll have to google her and see what she's written. :380 Any Bitter Thing by Monica Wood, thanks Meggie's Mom that sounds good, I'll have to pick it up this weekend.

[Meggie'sMom]

The article Southern Living did on Pat Conroy a couple of years ago was really good. I did know he is married to Cassandra King, but have not read her. I am a high school librarian and I tend to read books with a young adult 'hook' to them. I'm not sure she fits the bill -- same with Dorthea Benton Frank. I have had others recommend them. Maybe I can get to the public library this summer and read a real adult book. :)

Dorothy Allison is known for ******* Out of Carolina. VERY good, but perhaps on your "depressing" list Lady Di. (sorry I see that's a censored word)

My favorite NC authors are probably Kaye Gibbons (On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon) and Shelia Kay Adams (My Old True Love).

We also lay claim to Orson Scott Card, though he is really an import, still I love his sci-fi and fantasy. Which is probably my other favorite genre. I love anything King Arthur (Mists of Avalon is my favorite). I'm getting ready to start Anne McCaffrey's Black Horses For the King. Sounds like it may be the 'horse whisperer' version of the legend.

[Lady Di]

Meggie's Mom, I'm taking notes of some of these books you've mentioned. Thanks so much. I read an excerpt of Any Bitter Thing online and I liked it :029

[silverngold]

Just finished reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. Mark used to work at a school with autistic children and I think he really understands how they view their world. I liked the story, as seen from the eyes of a 15 year old autistic boy. Its a short book but the ending is very satisfactory and will touch the heart of any golden retriever lover.

[Lady Di]

I tend to read mostly fiction but I think it's time to explore some other venues. It's funny, all the books mentioned sound interesting and I would probably enjoy them but I tend to just stick with what's on the best seller list. Time to break out of my comfort zone :D Have you ever read a book you absolutely hated? I started one years ago that was so bad I threw it in the garbage, then pulled it out again and tore the pages out of it. My husband asked me what I was doing and I told him, it was so bad I didn't want anyone to pick it up from the landfill and read it. rofl3

[Meggie'sMom]

it was so bad I didn't want anyone to pick it up from the landfill and read it.

LOL!! It must have been really bad! I tend to stop reading if I'm just not interested, but some books have kept me going and then I get to the end and just want to throw it across the room and demand the hours of my life back! The Horse Whisperer was one of them, I'm sorry to say, because it was just the ending that did me in on that one. If you've read the whole thing you probably know what I mean. Yeah, right, like THAT's going to happen! Argh! It still makes me mad. Thankfully, Robert Redford knew to change the end when he did the movie and gave his character some integrity! Thanks, Bob!

I also hated Life of Pi which just gets rave reviews about how fantastic it is. Phooey! Hated it. I felt completely cheated.

[Lady Di]

It's been years since I read the Horse Whisperer, I can only remember the ending in the movie :( There were a couple of Oprah's book club books I didn't like. I think my biggest pet peeve is when an author has a character do something that you feel is so wrong for this character....know what I mean? You sit there asking yourself where did that come from, or there's no way that should have happened. Ok, so now that I read what I've just written I realize I sound like the character Kathy Bates played in Stephen King's Misery banana

[Meggie'sMom]

You're scaring me Lady Di!! :eek:

I do know what you mean though and that was what ruined Horse Whisperer for me.

On to better books. Has anyone read The Mercy of Thin Air by Ronlyn Domingue The publisher's comments are intriguing enough: The Mercy of Thin Air entwines two heartbreaking and redemptive love stories that echo across three generations and culminate in a finish that will leave readers breathless. It is a poignant and brilliant first novel that beautifully captures the nature of love and shows how it transcends all barriers — even death.

I absolutely love this book. It is set in New Orleans with both the turn of the century and modern day time periods. A beautiful southern fiction novel that woud be fun to discuss in any book group.

[Lady Di]

Meggie's Mom, That sounds really good. I'll have to go out and pick this one up. We could have an online book club :029

[Meggie'sMom]

We could have an online book club

I'm up for it! The more the merrier! Anyone else?

[Belleisgolden]

Great thread! I love to read. Lately everything has been puppy, puppy training and more puppy training and Goldens of course. I ordered Marley and Me because of another thread on this forum and it has already arrived. I just got to start it today and it is a great read so far. I know I'm going to cry though. I also ordered Ginny, the Dog who Rescues Cats. I have listened to this before and enjoyed it. It is an older book. I don't have a lot of time to read anymore, but I'll keep these titles in mind. Thanks for the ideas.

[Meggie'sMom]

Do get the hankies ready Belleisgolden. Marley is going to get you before it's over, but you'll experience so many emotions throughout the book and it is a cleansing cry that will make you hug your Belle hard and tell her "You're a great dog."

Speaking of dog books, has anyone read From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava? I have picked it up several times in the bookstore, but haven't heard any first hand accounts from anyone about how they liked it. The cover picture is precious, I can imagine how a puppy would be a lifeline for anyone in a war.

Somehow that reminds me of Connie Mae Fowler's When Katie Wakes. She is a wonderful southern fiction author (Before Women Had Wings), but this is her autobiography and describes the abuse she suffered as a child and at the hands of a man she was involved with when younger. Her lab puppy (Katie) gave her the incentive to get out of the abusive relationship. It's a sweet tribute to a dog and really gives her reader some insight into the themes of her books.

On another note entirely, I am anxious to read Jodi Picoult's latest. I can't imagine how she churns them out so quickly and still manages to keep her books so good. Nineteen Minutes sounds intriguing, she finally takes on the topic of high school shootings. Though I am a bit afraid it may really get to me since I teach in a high school. Kind of makes my stomach knot up to think about it, but I would like to see how she handles the topic.

[Lady Di]

Meggie's Mom, Haven't read any of those either. I'm adding to my list. I read The Pact and that was really good so I'm sure I'd enjoy Nineteen Minutes. I read alot in the summer, my husband and I have a boat and spend alot of time on it and I read constantly. Hubby fishes, Cowboy swims and I read :D Belleisgolden I loved Marley and Me. My husband even read it and he usually only reads Sports Illustrated. We rented a movie the other night called Flicka I'm sure it was based on the book My Friend Flicka I loved it. I remember reading that book when I was very young. Now this movie certainly won't win an Academy Award but it was sweet and with all the violence in movies now it was a refreshing change :029

[Meggie'sMom]

I could so get into your summer boat reading, Lady Di! With the warm weather we're having right now, I am already there! (mentally!)

I heard Flicka was good, but still haven't seen it. I did purchase the 2006 version of Lassie recently from Amazon and it is wonderful. They really did a good job of the remake of the original Lassie movie. I never saw this in the theaters. It's a great one for kids -- no bad language, but of course, there are the tear jerker scenes.

[Lady Di]

Meggiesmom I have never seen the original Lassie either. I remember the TV series but don't remember the movie. I'll have to rent the remake. Our weather this week has been beautiful but today it's cooler and rainy. This weekend it's supposed to be much cooler.:mad:

[Meggie'sMom]

If you can, watch the original Lassie Come Home with Elizabeth Taylor and Roddy McDowell. It is still the best. The remake was well done, but you can't beat the first one. :) Kids today need a really good dog movie! IMHO (In fact, we all do!)

[lammer29]

My favorite is also Beach Music, I usually recommend to people and they never seem to like it, though. So I am glad to see that I am not the ONLY one! I also loved The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, I did love the Life of Pi, too. I have read lot by Jodi Picoult and I just bought Nineteen Minutes this week( Ireally likeher books, especially My Sister's Keeper. I also bought the new book by Chris Bohjalian. I love to read, but I am more productive in the summer.I am also a fan of Nelson DeMille. The Memory Keeper's Daughter was a good one,too. I am in Special Ed, so The Curious Incident was a great read, too. I have a 13 year old who has a book report monthly,and his choices have been interesting, so I have been reading his picks, too. (It also helps when I proof read his work!) I hope to read the Picoult one soon, maybe we could all compare by a certain date. I don't get to read so much during the week, by the time I get to sit to relax, I fall asleep almost immediately!(Of course during the night it's the staying asleep that's the challenge). I can't read too many animal books, I usually cry too much (I can't read or watch Black Beauty - I cry, cry, cry!)I did enjoy Marley, though. I didn't like The Dogs of Babel.I really like to read the most when my Golden lays with me!

[Lady Di]

lammer29 That's so funny what you said about Beach Music, I gave it to my Mom to read and she said she couldn't get into it. I've had other people tell me they really didn't like it either. Now I have to say it is probably my favorite book. I loved The Poisonwood Bible as well. I think we need to drop Pat Conroy a little note requesting he write another novel. A friend of mine saw him one day downtown Charleston. He was just walking down the street!!! I asked her why she didn't talk to him and she said she didn't know why she didn't. I think I would have had to say something to him, but I probably would have come across as some crazed fan banana I'll try to pick up Nineteen Minutes this weekend. That's a great idea lammer29 we can pick a date and then discuss the book. Meggiesmom are you up for it?? Anyone else out there like to join our online book club ? :094

[Meggie'sMom]

Definitely up for it! I'll try to get to Borders and pick up a copy within the next week. Maybe even tomorrow. I know once I start a Jodi Picoult book, I'll make time to keep reading -- of course nothing else will get done! (But Meggie will get her walks!)

I can't imagine not being able to get into a Pat Conroy book! Loved Beach Music -- and all the rest of them! He is such a gifted writer.

I'm also a Barbara Kingsolver fan. I lovedPoisonwood Bible, and also Prodigal Summer. I thought the way she handled several environmental topics in Prodigal Summer, mixing a fiction format with nonfiction issues was wonderful, and it got me curious over the movement to bring back the American Chestnut tree. I recommended it to one of our science teachers and she just loved it.

[Meggie'sMom]

Oh, and lammer29, I am with you on Black Beauty. I have loved that book since I was a little girl and it just breaks my heart too.

"There is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man and beast it is all a sham . . . "
-- Anna Sewell Black Beauty

" . . . we call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they have no words."
-- Anna Sewell Black Beauty

[lammer29]

Well, I have been trying to read it somewhat today, am on page 104, but I won't have much time tomm though, so don't worry about catching up!

There is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man and beast it is all a sham . . . "
-- Anna Sewell Black Beauty

" . . . we call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they have no words."
-- Anna Sewell Black Beauty

That is beautiful!

[Meggie'sMom]

Beauty was a wise horse. I've gotten so I call my 30-year-old mare Beauty more than I call her Wendy (her real name). Though she never suffered at the hands of humans like Beauty did, here's another quote for her:

“My troubles are all over, and I am at home; and often before I am quite awake, I fancy I am still in the orchard at Birtwick, standing with my old friends under the apple-trees.”
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

Must get to the book store today!

[lammer29]

Horses have a special place in my heart, I had a bayquarter/throughbred mix mare since I was in 4th grade until I went off to college. Her name was Duchess and I know that is one reason I can't deal with Black Beauty! I remember when my son was little and I bought the movie,I was so excited to share it with him and all I did through the movie was cry - he thought I was nuts( I mean I was sobbing). Now when there is a sad animal part to a movie, the joke is to watch mom cry!I envy you having a horse, wish I could have one again, there is nothing like a girl and her horse! (Except her golden, I guess)

[Meggie'sMom]

I bought my copy of Nineteen Minutes yesterday and have started reading. It is engrossing, isn't it? I find it interesting that she is pulling in characters from other novels (Jordan McAfee, Selena and Thomas are from The Pact, and it even mentions the name of the boy he defended in that book). So far I'm impressed with the character development in this title.

Oh and Lammer, my Wendy is a bay Quarter horse with a strong Throughbred background -- her great-great grandfather is Man O' War!

[Lady Di]

Ok I am so going to get kicked out of our book club :( I didn't get the book this weekend. I will pick it up this week for sure. I can't believe we are all horse people :029 I rode for years and worked at a stable as a teenager.

[Meggie'sMom]

No rush, Lady Di. We'll be glad to discuss after you've had a chance to get the book and read it. Anybody else want to read Nineteen Minutes with us? I've got to tell you, though, after the fruitcake student I had to deal with today -- this could get a little scary. Of course, she wasn't a disgruntled child who'd been bullied all her life -- she was apparently the result of a mother on crack who had taken up the habit herself! Honestly, I've taught 24 years and never encountered anyone like this. :eek:

[lammer29]

Wow! I work in an elementary school in an affluent community (which certainly doesn't mean that the high school doesn't have any students on drugs) so I thankfully don't run into drug problems in the students. Being an affluent community, there is quite alot of drinking, drugs, and sexual issues in the high school - no doubt about it. These kids have been handed mostly everything and have the disposable income to use on substances. I have to say that on certain professional development workshops on violence in the nation's schools that I have attended, I could recognize some kids in the profiles (ones that I worry about,not literally), for what I think they would/could be capable of doing in the future and it just scares me! I was in the car with my son (7th grade) and his soccer friend and I overheard a conversation about a student who verbally threatened to a few other students that he was going to break into a girl's home, and hurt her and continued to talk about blowing things up, this scared me so much, I had to report it to our school adjustment counselor for her to pass on. My son has no idea that I did this, but I could not have lived with myself if anyting had ever happened. The school investigated, and it turned out to be just talk, but you never know, and this is a student that I worry about in the future and just pray I am wrong. And just being a parent and having to listen to some of the stories that my son would come home with, and sometimes crying over bullying, it is hard to read certain parts of the book and not be moved by the cruelty children act on other children.It makes you hope that by discussing it and following up with our own children it eases the pain so that it doesn't fester and grow. I had a problem with my son yesterday and the theft of his watch from his gym locker. He got it back through the help of one gorl who came forward, but otherwise, I don't think we would have ever identified the boy(s). I can't prove that they broke in to the locker,as I have no witness other than my son that his ocke was locked and the boy who ended up having the watch (the principal called him at home afte school) simply said he had the eatch and "forgot" to turn it in!Now, my son wasn't singled out, it is clear that these boys routinely break into the lockers and rummage through them. The locks are so old it doen't take much, and no $ in budget to purchase new ones, so I bought him a new one today that he can bring in as long as he records the combination with the gym teacher. I only hope that in dealing with the kids that I do, when they come to me with an issue (trivial or not) I handle it so that the kids learn to be kind to each other and learn to let an adult know if there is a problem so we won't have future issues! well, obviously I will have much to say on this, I'll try not to run on in the future! enjoy the book, it will be interesting to hear different points of view, as we all have baggage in this area, either from our own experiences growing up, our childrens' experiences, and school personnel versus non school personnel.

[waterabbit]

I got the book at Sam's yesterday, :032 but probably won't be able to finish it until the weekend. When are we going to discuss it? Will I be on time?

[Meggie'sMom]

I feel sure I won't be finished with the by the weekend -- it's just too hard to find much time to read during the week -- and Lady Di has to purchase a copy! Glad to have you reading with us, waterabbit.

Interesting situation lammer. I am a librarian at high school with a population of about 1700. We are definitely inner-city -- though it is in Winston-Salem NC so we are not a "big" city. (NC doesn't really have any BIG cities) Our student population is very diverse. We have everything from some of the most affluent families in town (can you say Broyhill furniture?) to dirt poor project kids and about an 8% population of ESL students about half of which know very little English. A little bit of everything. I have been at this school for 7 years and our population has changed quite a bit in that time -- less affluent, more project. Before this I worked as a librarian in elementary schools for 8 years and before that I was a high school math teacher. I really think I saw more bullying at the elementary level than I do at high school. It could be that it is just less visible here. One good thing about our diverse population is that there are so many groups of students (jocks, geeks, misfits etc) that everyone finds a niche. I'm sure there are kids who don't feel like they fit in though. That's always going to be true in society and kids seem to be especially cruel if they can alienate someone else to make themselves jump up a notch on the food chain. Human nature I suppose.

[lammer29]

It would be extremely unlikely that I would finish by the weekend, even though I am enjoying the book (so to speak).What would be a realistic time frame for all present and future participants? 2 weeks to a month? Too long? Not enough? Anyone want to take a stab at a mutual date? I know that even though it may be a good read, we all have other commitments, the last book club that I was in met monthly. Does that seem realistic for us? Or every other? I'll go with the flow and try to keep to the schedule the best that I can!

Meggie's Mom, your situation is interesting, too. Can't wait to hear all you have to say about the book with regard to your experiences, too!Thanks for your input!

[waterabbit]

Okay guys- page 196 - I barely got through...Fresh wounds :(
Taking deep breath, I feel I need to stop until tomorrow. But on the brighter side, I am really enjoying it.
As far as time, a book this size shouldn't take too long to read. On average, if a book is good and holds attention- maybe a week - everyone should put in a time and we could try it. Of course, if schedules differ or the book is very long, we could make the time period longer. But, monthly meetings sound good, and gives time to write down proper questions and notes.

[Lady Di]

Hi y'all. Sorry to be the party pooper but this week at work has been crazy. I think we got like 6 new listings and I've been swamped. Anybody want to buy a house in South Carolina? :D Anyhow, my son is coming home from college tomorrow and I'm going to pick him up :029 I'll stop at Barnes and Nobel on my way to Charleston and pick up the book. I'm a quick reader so it won't take me long to catch up. I'll have plenty of time to read as I wash the 6 loads of clothes I just know he's bringing home. :eek: I'm so excited to see him. Just set a date to discuss the book and I'm sure I'll be ready. Thanks again for including me in this, y'all are great.

[waterabbit]

I'm finished!! :029 :029

[Lady Di]

Just picked the book up and I'm sitting on my deck reading :) I'll catch up quickly......I promise. Watterabbit, did you like it??

[Meggie'sMom]

I'll probably finish this weekend. Like Lady Di I have a young man home from college for the weekend, but I'm sure he won't stay crammed up under mom!

[waterabbit]

Lady Di- I liked the book very much! We will all have a lot to discuss, though. I have read all of Picoult's books, and she has a knack for exploring very interesting issues. I think our first book club meeting is going to be fun! Enjoy :)

[Lady Di]

I'll probably finish this weekend. Like Lady Di I have a young man home from college for the weekend, but I'm sure he won't stay crammed up under mom! Meggie's Mom My sweet boy managed to hang around long enough to eat and play on the computer :) Did anyone notice that all the members in our little group are from States that are on the Atlantic? Funny coincidence isn't it? Meggie's Mom is from North Carolina, waterabbit is from Florida, lammer29 is from Massachusetts and I'm from South Carolina. watterabbit, I'm so glad you enjoyed the book, I have a million questions I want to ask but I will wait. I'm well into it now and it's good, sad but good. Oh and by the way my name is Dianne, hope that's okay to say my name on here :D

[waterabbit]

Lady Di- That's a great observation about where we all live. The Atlantic Coast Book Club!! I'm also very excited about talking with everyone about the book! By the way, my name is Lynn- :happy2

[lammer29]

I am still reading! BTW - My name is Linda

[Meggie'sMom]

Hey to the ACBC! I'm Cindy.

[Meggie'sMom]

I finished reading the book today. I think we do have a lot to discuss; she covers a lot of ground in this one. Though it is not my favorite title of hers, I did like it.

I'm going to do a google search and see if there are discussion questions out there we may want use.

[Lady Di]

I think I need to slow down a bit as I find myself in a hurry to see what's going to happen next. I have a bad habit of skimming sometimes and I don't want to do that with this book. I'm really anxious to hear what all of you think. Especially the teachers. From your posts I'm sure each and every one of you could write a book.Cindy did you read The Pact? The ACBC how cool...we have a name!!!!

[Meggie'sMom]

I know what you mean, Dianne. I tend to read the same way with a book that has me on the edge -- I just have to know! :)

I have read The Pact. It is still a pretty popular book in our high school library, which when you think about it can be a little scary, but I think word of mouth among teenage girls over good books is still the best recommendation. Jodi Picoult seems to have a good grasp of the teenage mind, feelings, popularity issues etc... Her website does have discussion questions and a lot of links to more information about school shootings. She even had a podcast in which she talks about why she wrote the book and how she researched it. Very interesting and a bit unnerving. (http://www.jodipicoult.com/nineteen-minutes.html)

One of the things this book has made me think about is the cliques at school and what we (as a school) do to encourage them. I was an elementary librarian at one of our feeder schools for a couple of years and some of the students coming through HS now were my "babies" then. What has repeatedly struck me are the friendships I've seen that have stayed and those students who used to be included in a group, but now are so obviously on the outside. Especially the girls. It appears to me to have everything to do with "tracking". Schools are full of it when they say they don't do it any more. Elementary does a pretty good job of mixing a class with academic ability, but then they have pullouts for Academically Gifted (AG) and Highly Academically Gifted (HAG) and students who need remediation to pass the end-of-grade tests (that No Child Left Behind forces us to give). Don't think those kids don't feel all those pullouts internally -- they do. But by high school there is no generic mixing of students except in freshman PE and Health classes. Our kids can pick from Advanced Placement (AP), seminar, honors, and regular level classes in many subject areas -- of course that's tracking! And by simple geography, you are going to be friends with the people who are in your classes. This doesn't even take into account the special ed kids and within their group there are "occupational" students who work toward a certificate rather than a diploma. All of these kids are basically self-contained -- I mean they do move throughout the day from class to class, but the same students are in every class by designation. I have seen girls, and some guys, that were very popular in elementary school be dropped into classes with no one that they know and it's easy to see the isolation they feel. They immediately lose their status. They guys have the jock status to fall back on. If they are in a lower academic group, but are good atheles, they tend to be able to keep their status, whereas girls' sports don't carry the prestige that boys does.

Also by our racial demographics we have so many designated groups. Our kids tend to segregate themselves racially by choice. There are always a handful of African-American students who are in the very elite popular kids' group (perhaps by socio-economic factors? and BTW they are the ones in AP classes), but for the most part for every cliques that exists we have a white and black counterpart.

I know society is just this way, but it can be heartbreaking to watch.

[lammer29]

I also finished the book last evening. We will have alot to discuss, I hope i can type to keep up (and you are able read it!) That's all I'll say, it is hard not to comment! Let me know what the game plan will be for the discussion, do we all log on at same time or just discuss at our leisure?Maybe we could research any info on online reading groups for ideas, I'll see what I can find.

[Lady Di]

Just finished. Wow, didn't see that twist coming. Hmmm got to sit and mull over all I've read. Cindy, I totally agree with you on the cliques etc. This book just makes you think. I have one son who is a sophomore in College who just happens to be a jock. As I drove him back to school I had alot of questions for him about his experiences. I actually learned alot of things I hadn't heard before :( I'm anxious to hear everyones opinions. Since we've all finished now I guess we're ready to get started. Any ideas how we are going to do this??

[waterabbit]

I think a good way to start would be for everyone to give their general overview of the book. After that I think everyone should take a turn ( we'll decide who goes in what order) and ask 1 question or make a statement(to start) then we all respond to that person's question or statement. After a predetermined time, ( so everyone can respond) we will move to the next one in line who gets to ask a question or make a statement. Just go down the line. What does everyone think? Any suggestions?

[johnwa]

If you want to discuss a specific book, I would start an individual thread just for that book in the Media forum. :)

[waterabbit]

Great idea! Thanks Johnwa :)

[Lady Di]

Okay Ladies, let's head over to the Nineteen Minutes thread I'm getting ready to start per Johnwa's suggestion :029

[Meggie'sMom]

I picked up Aryn Kyle's first novel, The God of Animals yesterday at Borders and it is wonderful. The reviews have just been glowing on this book and after reading the first chapter (which was orginally a short story), I can see why. You can read it on the Barnes and Noble web site. It is set in Colorado on a ranch with a 12 year old protagonist named Alice telling the story. Her father raises horses, gives riding lessons and takes in boarders. Her sister has just run off with a rodeo cowboy, and her mother has confined herself to her bedroom. The first sentence grabs you and she doesn't let go. Those of you who love horses will find a special affinity for it.

[lammer29]

I will be a 'bachelorette' this evening,so maybe I will go to Barnes and Noble and treat myself.(I can get lost in there, and this totally frustrates DH and our son). I have Chris Bojalian's new book as well as a borrowed book that 2 coworkers recommended, "The Birth of Venus", but the "God of Animals" sounds really good, too. Also "The Road" which is an Oprah's pick (sometimes that is a good thing, sometimes that is bad thing) got good reviews on Amazon.I also have a couple of DVDs I need to watch, so many choices! DH is doing a benefit auction for the Lung Association (he's an auctioneer,I am not in the mood to go and I'd probably feel the need to buy something! and our son is invited to a birthday dinner celebration with his best friend's family) It is cool to be on my"own" even just for a few hours!
Meggies'smom Since we seem to be winding down on 19 Minutes, do you want to suggest "God of Animals"? Do you and [B]LadyDi[B] want to keep this reviewing of ours going? Or just once in awhile? I'm game for along as I can keep up with the required reading. It seems we have the same or similar tastes, and I know one of the reasons that I spend so much time in the book store, is that I so want to enjoy a book, not just read one, so I take my time to be sure it is something I'll stick with,you know those books that you can't put down and then are sad when they end! Do you both like movies, too? We are big movie watchers in this house, too. Guess it keeps us off the streets at night! :laugh2 I wish we could all discuss books and movies while walking our dogs!!

[Lady Di]

I'm all in favor of keeping this going. I love to read and enjoy hearing others opinions on something I've read. Right now I'm reading John Grisham's The Innocent Man. It's his first non-fiction novel and even though one of my co-workers insisted I read it I'm still not too sure. She warned me it was a little hard to get into but worth it. Soooo I keep plodding along. I love watching movies too. Which reminds me, we went to see the movie 300 last weekend. My son insisted on taking us even though it was the 5th time that he had seen it. banana Lot's of testoserone in that movie which probably explains why my son and his friends think it's the best movie they've seen in years. Must be a guy thing :D

[lammer29]

Funny, our son had a skating party last eve, the location is really convenient for a pick up from home at 10 o'clock,so DH and I wne tout for a bite and then a movie. My son said that we should see 300, but we went to see The Shooter instead. Definitely a good rental but not worth the price of 2 tixs at movies!Very predicable and not a great plot to begin with. Lots of action, though. I have The Pursuit of Happyness and Children of Men to watch this weekend. Wish I had stayed home to see either of them last night!Last weekend We brought our son and his friend to see Bridge to Tarabithia. It was fantastic, but too young for your son's set. My son ans I had been in a mom and son book club and that was a book we had read, so we wanted to see it. I do recommend it, though. For once I liked the movie better than the book.I had a hard time visualizing Tarabithia from the book,but it came to life in the movie. DH sobbed at at ending. I want to see Wild Hogs, it would be nice to laugh for a change, DS requested we NOT see that one without him! Not sure when we can fit that and 300 in!
I used to read Grisham as soon as they were released, but for some reason fell out of enjoying them, I am not sure why.

[Lady Di]

Not sure i would recommend you see 300. If you want to get an idea of the movie go to www.youtube.com and type in 300 clips. It is a really strange movie. Apparently it was filmed on a set with a green screen which means none of the background was real. After seeing it my husband said it was definitely a young guys type of movie but he didn't particularly like it either. We went basically to humor our son :D Now Wild Hogs was good !!! I would love to see Bridge to Tarabithia. We rented an older movie a couple of weeks ago that was cute. I think it was called The Kid It had Bruce Willis in it and I thought it was cute. The young boy in the movie is adorable. Oh and 300 has some pretty graphic scenes in it. I was very uncomfortable watching it with my son. At one point I leaned over and told him to cover his father's eyes, which he did not find funny at all. I couldn't beleive when we left the theater that the man in front of us had two young boys with him. The youngest may have been 6 or 7 and the oldest was maybe 10. Now we are talking about full frontal nudity (women of course). A couple love scenes with the king and queen. I would imagine those young boys won't forget that movie for a long time. Oh your hubby cries at movies too. My husband is a real softie too!

[Meggie'sMom]

I wish we could all discuss books and movies while walking our dogs!!

Wouldn't that be wonderful?

I'm game for keeping the book discussion going. The God of Animals is great, if you guys are up for it, I think it may be a good one. I'm sure we'll be able to find things to discuss even after reading just the first chapter, especially since we all seem to have some connection with horses. (BTW it's my old mare's 30th birthday today! Carrots and apples for everyone.) Reading the chapter on the website might help you decide whether it's worth it to you to read the rest of it or buy the book. And if anyone else wants to join us, the more the merrier!

I'm not so much on movies. It's kind of sad to go to movies by yourself and that's the only way I get to see one. I'd love to read y'all's comments though.

[Lady Di]

Wow, 30 years old. Give her a big birthday smooch from me. I'd love to read The God of Animals I'll probably be finished this Grisham in the next day or so. Not thrilled with it though :mad: Cindy, anytime you want to go see a movie you just let me know :003

[Meggie'sMom]

Awwww, thanks Dianne. That would be some road trip for a movie! :D

[lammer29]

Well, I went to B&N and I bought The God of Animals -please don't tell me I'm going to cry - not over people mind you - but the horses! Please!!Sounds like that is the new book and I'm glad not all of us have it yet, it'll give me time to read and catch up on my DVDs at home,too! I read the first few pages at the store and I liked it. I also picked up Roads and read the first 15 pages or so and hated it! I did not buy that one, and it's supposed to be a bestseller!As we get towards the end of the book I guess we can start that new thread, too! P.S. Can I come for the movie, too???Although Meggiesmom,I used to go to the movies by myself all the time,it's not so bad, but thank goodness for DVDs now, you can watch'em even alone! And Happy Birthday to your mare!

[Lady Di]

I went for a 5 mile walk with the hubby and Cowboy.....I'm exhausted. Linda, of course you can come with us to the movie jump2 So our next book is The God of Animals. We need to let Lynn know too. Where are you Lynn??? cheerleade

[Meggie'sMom]

Five miles! Dianne, good for you! Meggie's days of walking five miles are behind us I'm afraid. We used to do it fairly often, but she plays out on me after about one now, and on hot days we don't get that far.

Road trips and movies! Good times! Hey, Lynn are reading this next book with us?

And since you guys are all horse lovers, just wondering... have you read Monty Roberts' The Man Who Listens to Horses? I just love him and his book is fascinating. He's the real horse whisperer.

BTW, Wendy enjoyed all her attention yesterday. She got some graham crackers even this morning with her breakfast. I figure 30 years + one day needs celebrating too. ;)

[waterabbit]

Are we going to be back on here? lol - I will post on both.. I ordered the book this moring from Amazon, it will be here Wednesday.

[Meggie'sMom]

We'll make a separate thread for when we decide to discuss God of Animals. I figured if I were going to talk about other books, this would be the thread to do it rather than the one just for Nineteen Minutes. Do we have you confused enough, Lynn? :)

[Meggie'sMom]

I just finished reading Kate Atkinson's Case Histories. I've been meaning to get to it for a while and picked up a paperback at Target this week. Strange -- funny and sad at the same time. I'm glad I didn't order it for the library -- a few things thrown in there are a bit much, but it's an interesting read and definitely kept me going. Certainly not a traditional mystery, but I think it would appeal to mystery fans.

[Belleisgolden]

Hello all! i just wanted to say that I have been reading some of the books mentioned in this thread. My husband picked up the available ones at the libary for me. I read Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult and My Sister's Keeper. I thought both were good, but I really thought My Sister's Keeper was well written and a great read. I read The Mercy of Thin Air by Ronlyn Domingue. I thought it was very well written and interesting. I found it hard to believe such a well crafted book was a first novel. I did find it sad often. I liked the two storylines and relationships interconnected. I also read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. I thought it was another good book. I loved the golden showing up at the end. Along those lines though, I liked the Bad Place by Dean Koontz which I read a long time ago.I like Dean Koontz a lot and picked up some of his books I hadn't read yet yesterday when I stopped by the libary. Prodigcal Son and City of Night, and The Taking. I also picked up Unspoken by Angela Hunt which Publishers Weekly says:
What can animals tell us about God? Do animals have souls? The prolific Hunt (author of more than 100 books) offers a compelling story that asks both questions. Sema is a 250-pound western lowland gorilla referred to as "my girl" by 30-year-old Glee Granger, who has raised Sema from a newborn at her home away from the zoo. Glee teaches Sema sign language and hopes to show her how to read, proving that gorillas can assimilate abstract concepts and use their imaginations. Sema's talents cause the director of the Thousand Oaks Zoo in Clearwater, Fla., to demand her return so he can exploit her abilities to help fund zoo projects. Helping Sema's assimilation into the gorilla habitat is "by-the-book" Brad Fielding, a potential romantic interest for Glee. Hunt knows how to craft believable, interesting characters, and readers will find themselves drawn to the lovable Sema, the conflicted Glee and Glee's scripture-spouting "Nana," the proprietor of a Florida motel. The tension accelerates after a near-death trauma, when Sema begins signing to the nonreligious Glee about a "shiny man" who offers insights about God. Hunt handles this unusual and potentially touchy plot development adeptly. The ending may seem abrupt, but the Christy Award–winning Hunt will please many of her faith fiction fans as well as animal lovers with this poignant tale.
It sounded interesting. My husband and I learned some ASL to teach our daughter to communicate when she was very small and KoKo the gorilla has always facinated me. Thanks for the reading suggestions, although I spend too much time reading now. Looks like I have enough books to last a while.
Good Reading everyone!









































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[waterabbit]

Belleisgolden- Hello!! :003 Join our club! We always wait for everyone to finish a book, and it's really fun! I know what you mean about reading, I LOVE it. We are finishing up a book now, but we will be moving on to another soon! Everyone in the group is great, and I think you'll like it! :) By the way, My Sister's Keeper is so far my personal favorite of Picoults, and my daughter is a nut about Dean Koontz. I tend to try and not to read stories about animals because they break my heart. For example, Marley and Me, and The Dogs of Babel. Good read, but lots of tissue. :(

[Lady Di]

Belleisgolden We'd love for you to join our book club. Lynn's right, we wait for people to finish books so there's no rush. Please join us :029

[Belleisgolden]

Hello again. Ladies, you are so nice. That is why I love this forum. I would love to join but I really would be afraid that I would hold you up sometimes. I have a little girl and sometimes its hard to keep up with everything. How about I join on books I can get ahold of in a timely manner?? I do check the media forum often.I really love your discussions and they started me trying to find time to read again, other than puppy behavior, and info on pet foods and pet food ingredients which sometimes feels like a full time job!
waterabbit I know what you mean, I cried buckets reading Marley and me. I do cry a lot when reading actually. Hmmm Wonder what that means??? And thanks Lady Di consider me unofficially joined! :029

[Lady Di]

Belleisgolden, Welcome !!!! We'll wait for you to get the books and we'll wait for you to finish. I'm usually the one who is the last to pick up the book. Wonder what that says about me :confused:

[Meggie'sMom]

Anybody reading anything that you want to recommend? I've read a few books this summer, but none of them just made me want to say: "You HAVE to read this!"

I just finished Me & Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter. A cute light little romantic read. I've been working on Dwelling Places by Vinita Hampton Wright a while now. It's a bit slower reading and has a darker slant. I'm not sure where it's going or if it's just a portrait of this family and their particular issues. It is interesting though.

I also read Brothers by David Talbot who I saw on c-span discussing his book in a Boston bookstore. Fascinating slant on the Kennedy assassination and some interesting information that sent me looking for more facts. Probably too political to discuss here, but I would recommend it to anyone with an interest.

[JsMom]

The whole Harry Potter series! ;) I am a NUT on Harry Potter - just finished the last book - it's wonderful - no spoilers but have to warn you - that last 250 pages.. you will not be able to put the book down! But don't start with the last - start with the first or you will be lost. It is most enjoyable if you like fantasy. :D

Jo
Mom to Griffyn - otherwise known as
Twisted Spell of Gryffindor :p

[lammer29]

JSMOM - I agree, a GREAT book. It was the best of them all, the way there was something exciting in every chapter. I won't spoil it either, but I found that reading the interview on MSNBC.com from the Today show was helpful for some loose ends that I didn't feel were tied up at end. I recommend reading the interview with J.K. ony AFTER you have finished the book. My son is still reading, I bought it that Saturday that it went on sale and finished it Monday morning. It will be a fantastic movie, I hope!I have posted about some other books that I have read this summer in other threads, too.

[Belleisgolden]

Wow, I've been reading the whole Harry Potter series. I wanted to reread for when the last book came out. I love all the HP books. We got the last book around 12.20am the morning it came out. I started it that morning and finished it pretty quickly. I haven't seen the interview. I'll check it out. I saw some stuff on an amazon forum right after it came out. I think she did a GREAT job with the entire series. I hated to see it end. Right now I'm reading Janet Evanovitch, Twelve Sharp. (gotta love the trashy stuff) It's kinda funny, because this summer when I was reading and rereading the HP to get ready for the new book, ( all 1-6 with nothing in between) I kept saying I would hate to post on a book forum that I was reading HP at my age, but it seems lots of adults have always loved the books. ;) My husband just finished it. No comment. He doesn't really like Harry as a character, but likes the stories :204

[Soda]

Harry Potter is an addiction! I got the book Sunday afternoon the weekend it was released. Could not put it down until I finished it....uh, 4 am Monday morning....ok, so I was very unproductive at work!

Great great series!!!! I actually was pleasantly surpised at the ending!

[Meggie'sMom]

Not really into HP. I read the first three and never really got all the hype. I guess after being a Tolkien fan the vast majority of my life, it just seems like "light" fantasy. I'm glad it's brought so many young people so much enjoyment and hope it entices some to continue to be readers well past the middle school years.

I do love fantasy though and almost forgot, I read the fourth in the Kushiel series (Kushiel's Scion) by Jacqueline Carey. Amazing (and very adult) series! She can weave a story like no one I have ever read. Completely fascinating. The next book in the series is out in hardback, but I'll make myself wait for the paperback. If you have not read these (they begin with Kushiel's Dart), and you can wrap your head around good fantasy (like Mists of Avalon) -- read them! They are wonderful!

[JakeandMe]

I'm in two book clubs. I'm an avid reader, but mostly mysteries and political/espionage type thrillers. So these book clubs have really helped me expand my reading horizons and I've found there's a whole lot of enjoyment out there in books besides mysteries! I just finished Good Grief by Lolly Winston. It's about a young woman whose husband dies of cancer and she has a nervous breakdown. It sounds depressing, but actually, it was a hoot! I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to enjoying some good wine and fun discussion with the gals at the next meeting.

[Friends of Zoe]

Wow, reading for pleasure? Must be nice!
I'm about to start David Christian's Maps of Time, which is due the first meeting of my Global Environmental History class in September.
I guess being a grad student in world history means that I don't get to read for fun. I did read Marley & Me and Cesar Millan's book recently though, but mostly just academic non-fiction.
That said, if there are any history buffs (well, mostly 20th century world history buffs) out there, I could probably recommend some of the books I've actually enjoyed reading during my studies! (haha)
Zoe still tries to eat my books, so I don't think she likes history very much. ;)

[lammer29]

I have just started reading "The Rest of Her Life" by Laura Moriarty, it was at Costco when I went shopping, so I picked it up. It reads sort of like a Picoult novel, got very good reviews at Amazon. Any takers? I only have this week plus Monday and it is back to work for me, ARGGG!I hope this week is nice and lasts the equivilent of one month!I have enjoyed some books that I read over the summer, some not. Best 2 so far probably were A Thousand Splendid Suns and Water for Elephants (not counting Harry).

[Brooklyn's Mom]

I'm more than half way through reading Sarah Bradford's biography America's Queen: The Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Its fascinating! Only being in my 30's my image of Jackie is based on magazines and the zapruder film. Its so interesting learning about the extensive travelling she did in her youth and all the work she did on the restoration of the White House. She could be one tough lady...or as fragile as a piece of crystal. Very complicated woman. And the research the author did for interviews - very thorough. I'm just now getting to the part where she married Onassis....

Definitely recommend to anyone who's interested in her.

[Meggie'sMom]

Thanks for the review of America's Queen, Brooklyn's Mom. It sounds really good. I'll have to look for it at the library. I have always been fascinated with anything to do with the Kennedys.

I just finished Whistling in the Dark by Lesley Kagen. Really good first novel set in the summer of 1959 that is loosely based on some events in the author's own life. It is told through the voice of 10-year-old Sally who has an extraordinarily close relationship with her sister Troo, which becomes even closer after her mother is hospitalized and the girls end up basically surviving on their own.

I just started one of Jodi Picoult's older books -- Keeping Faith -- and it has me riveted.

[lammer29]

Meggie'sMom - I am also reading Keeping Faith. I am wondering where the book will go, I won't say too much. I am enjoying it, though. School is back in session (I'm exhausted and fall asleep this week), so I hope I'll get some reading time in soon! Let me know when you're done, hopefully I won't be too far behind!

[Cham]

Having just been away on vacation I did manage to get a few books read. The last Harry Potter book, a real summer junk book called Prime time by Hank Phillipi Ryan (New Englanders should recognize the name) and am currently working my way thru a couple of light tomes called, "The Great Deluge" by Douglas Brinkley about Hurricane Katrina, and one called "The Jesus Papers", one of the books supposedly spawned the DaVinci Code. Now that vacation is over, I will most likely bounce back and forth from book to book until I finish both.

Sorry FOZ, as much as I love history, 20th century is not my thing, having lived thru a good chunk... LOL now if you want to talk other periods of time and locations... Tee Hee

[Acamarrr]

I spent the summer reading Georgette Heyer, a Regency "romance" (not in the sense of modern romances) and mystery writer who wrote from the 20s to the 70s. Good stuff! If you like Agatha Christie mysteries, you'll like GH mysteries.

Loved the reminisces about animal books. I was a freak for them! I still collect Albert Payson Terhune first editions, when I can find them (and afford them).

Right now, I'm reading, for about the tenth time, Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence".

[Meggie'sMom]

Anybody reading anything too good to miss? I recently read Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant and thought it was quite good. Also read Chris Bohjalian's Midwives. Though I was not a fan of Double Bind, this one was really good. Very much like an older Jodi Picoult book. Her books used to really impress me, but lately I think she's writing for a deadline and the stories just seems to fall flat.

[waterabbit]

Hello everyone! Reflecting back on the summer we have had, I am surprised that I had time to read anything :eek: I really enjoyed Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy. I even ended up rereading Tender is the Night by Fitzgerald ( last time was in high school) Overall, it seemed to be slim pickings this summer, or maybe it was just me! Right now I am trying to get through Bad Dogs have more Fun by Grogan. It is basically his articles for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and is pretty good, but is not a favorite. I am, as always, on the lookout for something new to read...

[johnwa]

...A dog lover's story of joy and anguish, by Mark R. Levin.

I received this book as a gift and have begun reading it

[Meggie'sMom]

I just finished Jon Katz's A Good Dog. Almost killed me. I cried through the last 3 chapters. I have got to stop reading books about dogs.