April book thread

[maryc]

This is the debut of a monthly book thread. I'm know I'm a day early, but I seldom have time to post early in the morning and often times breaks/lunch can be hectic. SO, here goes for our first month.

I have two books that I intend to start. The first is The Testament by Eric Van Lustbader, author of The Bourne Legacy. I also picked up Devices and Desires by P. D. James, who is sometimes know as "Britain's Queen of Crime!" As you can tell, I'm on a crime/thriller kick!

I'll report back on whether or not I enjoyed these.

I'm also trying to do some reading in a French travel book searching for 'countryside' outings. Paris is OK and we'll be there for DH's meetings but I want to go to the south of France. I'm trying to line up places to see. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

What are you planning to read in the coming weeks?

[MindaAnn]

Good start, mary! I do hope others join in!

I have Where Memories Lie by Deborah Crombie. This was a gift and I hope to start it as soon as I finish The Judas Strain. I'm plugging along with that one but its one of those too good to give up on and not quite good enough..... I like deborah Crombie and have read all of her books so far. They are Scotland Yard books and you know I like thrillers!

The second one is another James Rollins, Subterranean. but I may put that on the bottom of the stack and go for something lighter and funny.

Looking for ideas....y'all tell us something good to read!

[callalily]

Ladies - You are going to want to sit down for this one!!! I, Callalily, went to the local library yesterday and got a library card for the first time since I was in high school. :eek:

Have you recovered from this shock yet? I know, you ask, how could I NOT have a library card? Well B&N and I have been very good friends for a very long time. But I have realized that sometimes there needs to be a little distance put between co-dependency relationships.

My mother's jaw is going to drop when I tell her. Not only does my mother volunteer at her library, she is also the president of the library board. (not to mention, in a previous life, she was the librarian there.)

I will now be able to explore books that I would never have bought at B&N in fear that I would not like them and therefore not read them, wasting precious money. Yes, I have to admit; this has been happening, probably being my final motivation for going to the library and getting a card.

I took out 2 books; I will have to get back to you on what they are since I am at work. One of the books is about an elephant (this would be the one I would not have bought, but looked interesting) I even used one of the services, I ?ordered? two Karen White books through inter-library loan. (Mari ? Can you believe they don?t have any of her books other than The House on Tradd Street?)

Now if they would only add a Starbuck's kiosk in the library!!! :D

[scarlettdouble]

I am still looking for something wonderful to read. My book club has chosen "Testimony" by Anita Shreve. I've already read it and it is a good one! I promise you will be hooked after the first 3 pages.

[MindaAnn]

Thaks for that info, Scarlett. Looks like this thread is off to a good start. :)

Callalily, I didn't expect that much of a shock!! I'm glad you've taken the "plunge" and ventured out! I don't know how I would live without our local library. I know what you mean about Karen White's books. Maybe the interest will grow. (I understand your wish for Starbuck's in the library. Nothing like the combo of good coffee and a good book!)

[Christi Wharton]

Thanks for the new thread Mary. Congrats Calalily, I hope you love your new card. When I worked at the library I had added a calculator to the website to show how much you save by using the library. You put in the # of books, magazines, movies, etc. that you borrowed in a month and it calculated how much money you would have spent if you didn't get them at the library. They don't have the calculator posted anymore but a lot of libraries do. I thought it was interesting to show people how much they save. Since they lost the calculator after I left, I may have been the only one there who found that interesting:D

I'm still working on One of Those Malibu Nights by Elizabeth Adler. Interesting so far, short chapters, which I like. After I finish this I'll go back and finish the rest of the Dorothea Frank Benton books.

[ozsmom1]

I just finished "The Midnight Club" by James Patterson. I thought I had read all of his books, but somehow missed this one, and it was good. I also finished John Grisham's newest, "The Associate" I think it was. Good I thought, but thought the one previous to it was better. Our nearest library is 43 miles away and to get a library card in the nearest city, where we have a business but don't own property is $60 a year! I suppose I spend that much on books at the bookstore, but still...do you have to pay for your library cards?

[Sandra C]

. . . Our nearest library is 43 miles away and to get a library card in the nearest city, where we have a business but don't own property is $60 a year! I suppose I spend that much on books at the bookstore, but still...do you have to pay for your library cards?
I don't as I live in Nashville, but those who live outside the county do. It may be worth $60 if you consider your time and cost to drive -- plus the selection, of course!

[KathyNC]

I love to go to the library and just browse. I don't check out a lot of books because of my addictions (Facebook, computer games, etc.) I don't read as much as I would like to. I just cannot keep myself away from this computer! Since its a laptop, it sits right beside me in the living room, so its WAY too convenient! I'm still trying to get through Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo and I'm also reading Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods. I had never heard of her but its a good book.

I've never heard of a library where you have to pay. Are there a lot of those?

[brianna]

I've just started an Elizabeth George book and have a long list that I want to look for at the library. I need a big stack of books in the house or I feel lost!

Callalily, I'm glad you have a library card. Your mother is probably a happy woman! :)

I like a thread for each month.

[Christi Wharton]

Brianna, I loved the Elizabeth George books. So funny.

[Nora]

Anyone have a suggestion for historical fiction? I need something to read!

[Christi Wharton]

Nora, have you read any Anne Perry books? Most are set in Victorian era England. Very well researched details. She writes mysteries. I recommend the Monk series. An English police detective wakes up in a hospital with no memory of who he is. This series follows him as he re-discovers who he was and he tries to come to terms with being someone he really wouldn't like. He solves mysteries and meets interesting people along the way. The first book in the series is The Face of a Stranger.

[callalily]

Nora, have you read any Anne Perry books? Most are set in Victorian era England. Very well researched details. She writes mysteries.

Christi - this author sounds right up my alley. I love books set in that era. I will have to use my new library card and go check her out... no pun intended!!! :D

[maryc]

Christi - this author sounds right up my alley. I love books set in that era. I will have to use my new library card and go check her out... no pun intended!!! :D

Thank you, Christi, I think I'll join callalily and check her our....pun intended!

[Mari']

Maryc, This is great! Thank you for starting the thread. I am on a gardening and decorating kick right now. I've been pouring over the Carolyne Roehm books for color ideas and have been going back and forth between a number of gardening books I have on my shelf. Hitting the Charlotte Moss website for more reading.

At some point I'll get back to my regular reading and pick up all my fav authors and genre's. Laura Child's should be coming out with a new one of the Tea Shop Mysteries. I never did start my book club.:( I may have to wait until I don't have such a packed schedule.

I will be going to the book signing with Karen White for her new book on the 23rd.

[MindaAnn]

Maryc, This is great! Thank you for starting the thread. I am on a gardening and decorating kick right now. I've been pouring over the Carolyne Roehm books for color ideas and have been going back and forth between a number of gardening books I have on my shelf. Hitting the Charlotte Moss website for more reading.

At some point I'll get back to my regular reading and pick up all my fav authors and genre's. Laura Child's should be coming out with a new one of the Tea Shop Mysteries. I never did start my book club.:( I may have to wait until I don't have such a packed schedule.

I will be going to the book signing with Karen White for her new book on the 23rd.


Enjoy! Give KW my regards and a big THUMBS UP!!

[callalily]

I just realized I am reading three books at the same time. One is my book and I put aside since I discovered the library and those books have a time limit, so I thought I should read one from there first. So, the second book is the library book and the third book is from the library that I got through inter-library loan.

So... my book is Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult

Second book is Black Ship by Carola Dunn (not sure if I like her writing style yet) Has anyone read her books? She writes mysteries with her main character Daisy Dalrymple.

Mari - My third book (and then 4th book) are Karen White books. I loved The House on Tradd Street, so I wanted to read her others, which seem almost impossible to find. I read 100 pages last night of The Color of Light and the other one I picked up is Learning to Breathe. I know I will have to share both with my Mom before they go back to the library. You mentioned she has a new book coming out; do you have any details on it?

[MindaAnn]

I really like KW's books and hope Mari' will be able to share info with us as soon as she "meets" KW!

Callalily, I always have a couple of books started. I carry one with me everywhere I go just in case I might have time to read a sentence or two!

[maryc]

Have to quickly share this with you all. When we returned home, someone had left a garbage bag full of books on our screened porch! I feel like Santa has been. :D

[MindaAnn]

Have to quickly share this with you all. When we returned home, someone had left a garbage bag full of books on our screened porch! I feel like Santa has been. :D

Merry Christmas! Wish Santa had paid me a visit. What a great find when you got home. Now if y'all care to bring a big bag of books over to my house....the screen porch is always open!

What kind of books, mary.....or is it just a mixed bag??:D

[MindaAnn]

I finished Where Memories Lie by Deborah Crombie. I thought it was a very good book and I've enjoyed all her books. In case anyone might want to read them, all of the books stand alone, but its better to read in the order they are written because they do build on one another.

[Christi Wharton]

Mary C. - lucky you to have a book Santa! Minda Ann, a great idea to always carry a book with you. I don't know how many times I have ended up having to wait somewhere and wish I had a book to read.

[callalily]

Have to quickly share this with you all. When we returned home, someone had left a garbage bag full of books on our screened porch! I feel like Santa has been. :D

Well, I am jealous!!!!

Mari - Finished the first Karen White book in 2 days. I am going to start the second one after I finish visiting here. I loved The Color of Light. My mom wants to borrow it before I bring it back to the library. Thanks again for introducing this author to us.

[Mari']

callalily, I'm so glad you are enjoying the Karen White books. I'll be going to her next booksigning on the 23rd so I'll let you know if there is any new things on the horizon.

[Mari']

Hey y'all, I just received an e-mail about Karen White's new release and I went to her website and found some info for all y'all that have come to enjoy her writing....




AVAVAILABLE April 2009 at a bookstore near you or your favorite online bookseller.
About THE LOST HOURS:
New American Library, ISBN# 978-0-451-22649-5
Read Excerpt (http://www.karen-white.com/thelosthoursexcerpt.shtml)
For more info on this book, please click here (http://www.karen-white.com/mediakit/LOSTHOURShermitageplantationONESHEET.pdf) (pdf)
"The Lost Hours reads as an intricately plotted mystery...White makes a good case for why new generations should sustain ties with the old--and why certain stories have to be told, no matter how long it takes." Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 5, 2009.
Award-winning author Karen White creates heartfelt stories "full of vibrant characters and emotion that leaves the reader satisfied yet hungry for more" (Booklist). Now she returns to the Lowcountry with a gripping tale of family secrets, fate, and forgiveness.
For more reviews click here (http://www.karen-white.com/#reviews)

When Piper Mills was twelve, she helped her grandfather bury a box that belonged to her grandmother in the backyard. For twelve years, it remained untouched.
Now a near fatal riding accident has shattered Piper’s dreams of Olympic glory. After her grandfather’s death, she inherits the house and all its secrets, including a key to a room that doesn’t exist—or does it? And after her grandmother is sent away to a nursing home, she remembers the box buried in the backyard. In it are torn pages from a scrapbook, a charm necklace—and a newspaper article from 1939 about the body of an infant found floating in the Savannah River. The necklace’s charms tell the story of three friends during the 1930s— each charm added during the three months each friend had the necklace and recorded her life in the scrapbook. Piper always dismissed her grandmother as not having had a story to tell. And now, too late, Piper finds she might have been wrong.
Reviews
"An evocative setting, dark family secrets, and as tory that will keep you reading late into the night."
—Award-winning author, Diane Chamberlain

"...characters and images as lush as the gardens of Georgia...satisfying and compelling."
—RT BookReviews magazine

"(The author) drew me in like a tall glass of sweet tea on a hot summer's day but instead of quenching my thirst, reading The Lost Hours has only made me crave more from the very talented Karen White."
—PJ Ausdenmore, RomanceNovelTV.

AND....
The House on Tradd Street has been nominated for a RITA Book Award!!!!

[MindaAnn]

Good job, Mari', wish I had that book in my hands right now!

[Christi Wharton]

Oh Mari, that book sounds great. I'll be watching for it.

[callalily]

Mari - I am ready to leave right now for B&N to get a copy. This book sounds fabulous.

I will check on it when I go to the library next week.

[maryc]

I'll be looking for that book, Mari. Thank you.

My bag of books turned out to be wonderful. One I took out and passed along to someone who loved it. It was The Shack. I didn't care for that one at all and never finished reading it. I think there was only one that I had read, the rest were ones I had heard about and WANTED to read! Wish I could spread them out here and let everyone have their pick!

[Christi Wharton]

Mary C. - tell us more. What were the best prizes. Do you have any idea who left the books?

[callalily]

Mari - I just finished Learning to Breathe yesterday by Karen White. It started a little slow for me, but once it hooked me I could not put it down. I will have to go to the library tomorrow and see if I can get my name on the reserve list for her new one and have to do an inter-library loan for her other books.


I picked up Black Ship by Carola Dunn, which I had started reading before the Karen white books, I am going to return it unfinished. I just cannot get hooked on this book. After about 40 pages, she had made no progress in the plot whatsoever.

I then started a book about an elephant and I will have to get back to you with the name as it is on my bed side table and DH is still sleeping (what a bum).

[KathyNC]

Mari -
I then started a book about an elephant and I will have to get back to you with the name as it is on my bed side table and DH is still sleeping (what a bum).

Is it [I]Water For Elephants[I]? I loved that book!

[MindaAnn]

Now that we have the house to ourselves once again, I'm starting a new book tonight! It's called Dissolution by C. J. Sansom. Takes place in England...Tudor period. You know I love English history! Best part is this is the first of four books this guy has written, so.....if this one is good, I'll have more to follow!

[MindaAnn]

Bumping this up for a new reader at SL....

[callalily]

Is it Water For Elephants[I]? I loved that book!

Kathy - I read [I]Water for Elephants last fall. I loved it too. I was so sad when it came to an end.

The elephant book I am read is Hannah's Dream: A Novel by Diane Hammond. I am about 75 pages into it and I like it. It is different than what I normally read, but I think it will be a good read overall. It is moving a little slow, but I think it is getting ready to take off.

[esampson]

I have lived in mostly small towns with small libraries all my life. As soon as the babies could walk, we headed for the libraries and everyone had their own cards. I am proud to say all my children love to read. I still live in a small town but things have changed. I can order any book in the state be sent to my little library. You can read just about anything online these days but a book in your hand in a quiet corner is like heaven to me.

I am reading The Book of Reuben by Tabitha King who is Stephen King's wife. It is the first book by her that I have read. There is a lot a descriptive sex which I could do without but the story is okay. Perhaps the weird kid in the background will add a twist to the ending.

[MindaAnn]

Glad you found us, Elaine. Our children were read to and started reading at a very early age.....grandchildren are the same. Everyone in our family enjoys reading.

[KathyNC]

I grew up in a small town just a few blocks from the library. It was a different world then and perfectly safe for kids to be out by themselves. My friends and I walked to the library and spent a lot of hours there. I loved the smell of the books and the whole atmosphere. The only thing we didn't like about it was the librarian, who was the typical "mean old lady" who wouldn't let you make a sound. She seemed very old at the time but probably was not nearly as old as we thought she was. I go to the library now and hear cell phones ringing and people being loud and sometimes wish for the "old librarian."

[MindaAnn]

Kathy, I know what you mean about noise in a library. I want quiet!!

I've finished up my last book and I'm going to my TBR stack in just a little while and see what I might like to start next! The last one was Tudor England and since I don't have the next book by that author I think I will go for a murder/mystery in present day time! Oh, the joy of a new book!!:D

esampson, I think you expressed what a lot of us feel......"a book in your hand in a quiet corner" is definitely like a little piece of heaven to me!

[MindaAnn]

What are y'all reading now? And Mari', hope to see you back soon. You'll be going to KW's book signing soon, won't you? I'd like to hear about that. Be sure and tell her she has a fan club here!

I have the second C.J. Sansom book to start tonight. The first one was pretty good and I'm hoping this one will be also.

[luckydog]

A few weeks ago, I was standing around with a couple of my friends & they started discussing the Twilight series of books/movies. I was completely amazed at how excited they became. They were completely giddy & talking a mile a minute.

I hadn't even heard of Twilight, much less read it. :confused: My eyebrows were raised, more than a few times, as they went over the basics for me. They were laughing their heads off at my facial expressions/reactions. I thought they couldn't be serious! A teen (first true love) love story between a vampire & a human...the vampire was a vegetarian vampire that only bite animals/not humans...he wasn't a bad vampire, he was a good vampire, they insisted. I would just shake my head & laugh, because it all sounded so far out. They professed that the books made them both fantasize about being in the Cullen family, living in Forks, WA & being married to Edward (the vampire). They were definately Edward-crazy. He made them swoon.

I jokingly (okay, only half jokingly:rolleyes:) asked them some questions. The first was, had finally gone off the deep end & were they pulling my leg. They assured me that they weren't putting me on.

They are intelligent, mature women & this is a series written for teens. Weren't the books a little juvenile for them, I asked? They replied that Twilight was like Harry Potter...a series written for young readers, but ultimately appealing to all ages and destined to be wildly popular. I love Harry Potter just as much as my DD does & could see their point.

They admitted the specifics they were giving sounded very silly & far out, but explained that that was what made it so appealing. It was so different from reality that it provided an escape...they "just got lost in it".

One said, her DH had had the same reaction I did....the "are you kidding me?" reaction. She convinced him to see the movie with her. He did like it...especially when he realized there was a pay-off for him. :D She said that Twilight had ultimately heated things up between them, behind closed doors.:eek: We were all ROFLMAO! Those two??!! I just couldn't imagine! We were all laughing so hard at that point, we were literally crying. My sides hurt.


They were soooo caught up & enthusiastic about Twilight, that I can't help but be intrigued. I told them I might order the first book from Amazon & see what I thought.

I'd love to hear opinions from y'all. Have any of you read the Twilight books? What did you think of them?

[maryc]

I''m back and the only thing I read while I was gone was travel books and train schedules!

Do you realize that in little more than a week we'll have to start a May Book Thread? Time has flown this month. Hope to catch up with what everyone is reading when I have time to unpack and get back here.

[KathyNC]

I posted about the Twilight series in the old book thread. My adult daughters have read them and loved them. I've picked the first one up at Sam's or in a book store and looked at it, but couldn't make myself buy it. I just can't imagine myself getting caught up in a series about vampires, but everybody who reads them raves about them.

[I_luv_2_bake]

Hello ~ I'm a new poster on the book thread. I love to read, but rarely have the time unless we are on vacation. We went away for a few days so I went to the library to pick out some books. I was going to get Testimony (SD's suggestion) but it was checked out, so I got: The Pilot's Wife (Anita Shreve), Beach Road (John Patterson w/ Peter DeJonge), and The Associate (John Grisham). I read The Pilot's Wife and Beach Road. Of the two, Beach Road was my favorite. The ending is quite a surprise.

[brianna]

Hi luv and welcome to the book club. I've read most of Patterson's books except the one you mentioned. I'll have to get that the next time I'm at the library. I hope you post often and help us make some selections.

Kathy, I looked at a couple of those books after you made your post but I didn't find it quite what I like so I didn't read one.

Anyone know where Mari' has disappeared to? Did she go back to the other board? I miss her. I hope she comes by and tells us about the book signing.

[MindaAnn]

Luckydog, I haven't read any of the Twilight books but I never could get interested in the Harry Potter books so I'm probably not a good judge. As far as "escape" reading I guess my escape is backward rather than forward....I love historical fiction and anything concerning early English history is fascinating to me. If you read any of the books, please let us know what you think of them.

luv, I'm glad you found your way over here! What type books do you enjoy or are you like me....sometimes I love a good murder/mystery, action, historical fiction.....mood varies. I guess I just love to read.:)

Mary, I'm glad you're back.....we'll need a new thread soon!

[callalily]

I finished my elephant book the other night; Hannah's Dream: A Novel by Diane Hammond. I highly recommend it.

I was crying so hard at the end of the novel, I had tears streaming down my face and my nose was running. DH wasn't sure what to do. I told him I was OK and that the book actually has a happy ending. Ever read a really good book that has a happy/sad ending?

So my question, has anyone ever cried while reading a book? I have done it several times. I am thinking that is a sign of a good author when they can bring out those emotions.

I am now reading my Jodi Picoult book Vanishing Act. I need to get to the library this Saturday.

[MindaAnn]

Hand waving in the air, Callalily! Yes, I've cried while reading a book.

I'm going to drop by the library today and see if I can find a book. The Jodi Picoult book sounds good.....and so does Hannah's Dream.

[Mari']

I'm here y'all. I haven't been on the boards in a loooong time. Thank you for looking for me, Bri and Minda.

I'm off to Karen White's booksigning tonight at B&N. Can't wait to see what she has coming up.

There are also some new books by other authors that I want to pick up. Laura Childs has a new one out.

I have to get my beach / pool stack ready. A stack per room keeps away the gloom...corny huh!

I'll get the scoop on KW and carve out time to get back here and tell.

Miss you all...better get on the phone to my conference.

[maryc]

Hi Mari', good to see you back. I'll be looking for a post sometime soon about KW's latest.

[brianna]

It will soon be time for the May thread. Can you believe April is almost over??

Someone dropped of a book by Steve Berry, The Alexandria Link. I started it last night and its pretty good.


Have fun tonight, Mari' and be sure to tell KW we are fans!!

[KathyNC]

I never could get interested in the Harry Potter books

I thought I held the distinction of being the only person who hadn't read the Harry Potter books!

[MindaAnn]

I thought I held the distinction of being the only person who hadn't read the Harry Potter books!

Kathy, I've found that I am often the odd one out in book discussions because I didn't read Harry Potter and didn't like The Shack. They just were not for me.

Mari', glad to see you! We'll expect a report on the book signing! Wish I could have been there.

Bri, I read The Alexandria Link and thought it was pretty good.

[I_luv_2_bake]

Brianna, thanks for the welcome!

MindaAnn, I like suspense/mystery mostly. I really got hooked on reading when I read Sandra Brown's Fat Tuesday. So I've read most of her suspense books. She started out by writing romance books, but since I don't like reading flowery romance books, I've not read any of those. I've read a lot of John Grisham's books. I just don't like writers who put way too many words in - LOL!

Callalily, I don't remember ever crying over a book, but I don't cry at movies either. My DH calls me a cold hearted %*#@^ - LOL! I'm not really, though.

I've never read the Harry Potter books or the Twilight series. Neither of them interest me at all.

I'm hosting an Open House tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be pretty nice so I may have some people walk through, but in the down time I will be reading the John Grisham book (The Associate) that I didn't get to on vacation.

[Mari']

Hey y'all,

The book signing was just great. I love to talk with authors and find out the motivations behind the stories. Karen White is really very interesting. I wrote more at my blog if you want some more details. Karen white's newest book is The Lost Hours.

Also found out that she has signed on for a total of four books in The House on Tradd Street series. The next in the series will be The Girl on Legare Street which will be in book stores the first Tuesday of November '09.

I picked up The Lost Hours and she signed it. I'll start reading tonight. I'm always excited to start a new book

I also found an author that I have not read. Her name is Beth Webb Hart and she has written a few books. Another South Carolina author. I picked up her first one titled Grace at Low Tide set in Charleston. Here is a short synopsis from her website:
From debut author Beth Webb Hart comes a coming-of-age tale about God's terrifying, befuddling grace.
When a business venture goes sour, Charleston blue-bloods Billy and Dee DeLoach uproot their family and move into the caretaker’s cottage on what was once the family plantation estate on Edisto Island. And while the rest of her family falls to pieces, teenaged DeVeaux sustains them through her reluctant help and her stubborn hope.
Told in DeVeaux's wry, observant voice, Grace at Low Tide chronicles the adjustments, tensions, and tragedy that ultimately force the family to see God’s grace in the raw and untouched beauty of the lowcountry island.
A haunting tale of stumbling faith, hard-won hope, white-knuckled love and a mysterious mercy.


I love book signings.............

[MindaAnn]

Glad you had fun, Mari'. We have to wait until November??? :D I'll try to find something to read before then....!!

I'll have to see what Beth Webb Hart has in the library....thanks! Let us know how the first book goes....

[maryc]

Glad you went to the book signing and had fun, Mari'. Please let us know if that new book is good!

[KathyNC]

This is not the normal reading material, but I'm considering re-reading Julius Caesar! I heard on NPR the other day that it was "Talk Like Shakespeare" day in Chicago, which I posted on Facebook and that led to a conversation about Shakespeare. I really liked Julius Caesar in high school and think I might read at least some of it again.

[MindaAnn]

I like Shakespeare. :D But don't tell anyone! People think I'm nuts when I say that out loud. Others have thought that for years!! ;)

[MindaAnn]

I like Shakespeare. :D But don't tell anyone! People think I'm nuts when I say that out loud. Others have thought that for years!! ;)


I meant to add to my confession that we went to the Globe Theater and the Shakespeare Museum when we were in London. The production was Taming of the Shrew. I really enjoyed it.

[maryc]

Not to worry, Min. I'm sure it will be our little secret! :D I think the like or dislike of the "bard" is usually due to the teacher/prof. we had.
We went to the Globe Theater. Great place.

[brianna]

I can't say 'the bard' was my favorite writer. Could be because his works were required and therefore I had already formed my opinion! Maybe finding something he wrote, without outside direction, I might have thought differently. :D

[callalily]

I can't say 'the bard' was my favorite writer. Could be because his works were required and therefore I had already formed my opinion! Maybe finding something he wrote, without outside direction, I might have thought differently. :D

I agree with you. I was forced to read his works and cannot say they are amongst my favorite. But to this day, the the worst thing I was "forced" to read was for an English class in college.... The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. I am quite sure it took close to the entire semester to disect each character completely.

[KathyNC]

I agree with the above post that said it probably depends on the teacher. The year we read Julius Caesar I had a very good teacher who I really liked and she made it interesting. I didn't like Macbeth as much because I didn't like the teacher as much.

[callalily]

Is anyone reading? No one has posted any new books that they are reading for awhile. What are you currently reading?

I picked up An Accomplished Woman by Jude Morgan at the library the other day. I have never heard of this author, but the plot seemed interesting so I am giving it a try.

[brianna]

Do you realize its almost time to start another month? :eek: I can't believe this month is almost over!

[MindaAnn]

I have a couple of Smithsonian mags to read. I'm trying to catch up with those and National Geographic. I need to make a library run. Someone told me about an author by the name of Simon Beckett.....I'm going to check that out as soon as I leave SL tonight. Anyone read books by this author?

[Christi Wharton]

I have finished all of the Dorothea Benton Frank books. Will have to say, I liked her earlier ones better than her last one.

Starting with Karen White now (since y'all suggested her:D). Started with Memory of Water. It was very powerful. Reading After the Rain now. Have a couple more on hold at the library.

[MindaAnn]

I think I've read all of DB Frank's book. The first one I read was Sullivan's Island. Don't you love it when you like an author and find out there are more books by that author.:)

[callalily]

I think I've read all of DB Frank's book. The first one I read was Sullivan's Island. Don't you love it when you like an author and find out there are more books by that author.:)

MA - I am hooked on our Mari's friend (we can call her Mari's friend since Mari has been to her book signing, right?), Karen White and her books (The House on Tradd Street). My mom just got her new book from the library and she is going to loan it to me when she finishes reading it. I should be able to pick it up this weekend. :D

[MindaAnn]

MA - I am hooked on our Mari's friend (we can call her Mari's friend since Mari has been to her book signing, right?), Karen White and her books (The House on Tradd Street). My mom just got her new book from the library and she is going to loan it to me when she finishes reading it. I should be able to pick it up this weekend. :D

What's the title of that one, Calla? I've had to put in requests and get KW's books from other libraries. I started with House on Tradd then Memory of Water and I think one more but I'd have to get my list since I can't remember. :o I love Karen White's style.

[maryc]

I was hoping Mai' would be here and would start the May book thread. Maybe give us more info on the Karen White books? Would someone like to start us off for the new month?