Caleb’s Comments (group member since May 11, 2015)

Caleb’s comments from the Shreve Memorial Library group.

Hi all -

We just wanted to let you know we are currently reading 'The Pecan Man' by Cassie Dandridge Selleck for our One Book One Parish program. She will be visiting our Broadmoor Branch on Saturday, October 15 for a book talk and signing! We encourage anyone interested to read the book and see all the related events on our website: http://bit.ly/2cTzd7d

If you read the book, please let us know what you think! Thank you for participating.

Lynn wrote: "I started The Post-Birthday World a long time ago, then got interrupted and put it down. I really regret it, too, because I was enjoying it. It's just never come back into my consciou..." I liked the movie version of "We Need to Talk About Kevin." I remember that was really good. I'll have to look into Lionel Shriver's works. So many books, so little time.

Mark wrote: "This one is easy: Infinite Jest. As far as I know, I should love the darn thing, since I like DFW's nonfiction work. But I tried it once and stopped after about 50 pages. And, yes, I do..."
Hmm...you may know that is one of my favorite books! Haha.

I'm sure you're not the first person to pick that one up and put it down again. I was in college when I read it and had a lot of free time. It would probably more daunting to read now. I could see how easy it would be to cast it aside if you really aren't into it. It's a large time commitment.

There was a joint effort for a lot of people to read it at the same time in 2009: http://infinitesummer.org/

What is a book that you couldn't finish? Did you ever feel guilty about not finishing it?

For instance, I know that 'Catch-22' by Joseph Heller is a classic book. It has a dark sense of humor and is usually characterized as "postmodern" fiction. These are all things that I love about books, so 'Catch-22' should be perfect for me.

However, when I started to read it, I just couldn't get into it. I didn't really like the writing style and I quickly put it aside. I still feel that maybe I didn't give the book a fair shake, so I'm planning on revisiting the book this year to see if I like it. I'm hoping that I'm able to get into it this time and enjoy the read. :-)

Jason wrote: "Has anyone read any Rainbow Rowell books?"
I read "Eleanor and Park," and I enjoyed that. YA is not usually my cup of tea, but it was a good love story with an '80s nostalgia to it. I started to read her new book ("Carry On"), but I knew right away it probably wasn't for me.

Celeste wrote: "Anybody read "You're never weird on the interenet(almost)" by Felicia Day? Fantastic read. Made you feel like she was sitting with you talking to you. If your geeky At all I Highly suggest it... If..." I haven't read it...but we do have it at the library if anyone is interested!

Jason wrote: "I'm reading To Kill A Mockingbird right now."

That seems like an appropriate choice following Harper Lee's passing. Have you read it before? Or are you revisiting the book?

Yes, I was working my way through some of Brian Vaughn's comics, so I was planning on Ex Machina next. They are available through Hoopla (an awesome digital service available from the library).

I read "Between the World and Me" over the summer. It was a very moving book.

Cool! I must be on a graphic novel kick because now I started into "Y: The Last Man." I finished the first two volumes this week. Interesting to hear what everybody else is reading. Gives me some new titles to explore!

What has everyone read so far this year? My reading has been pretty eclectic. So far I've read (or am currently reading) NOS4A2 by Joe Hill, The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert, a few children's award-winning picture books, a boring YA novel, Saga by Brian Vaughn and Fiona Staples, and On the Move by Oliver Sacks.

100 books in 2016? Wow, that's an ambitious goal! Let us know how you do! :)

Thanks for sharing! Also, an appropriate Guns N' Roses pun in the title (with the impending reunion and all). I'll have to check it out -- I love cookbooks and good healthy cookbooks definitely help you to cook better food for yourself. :)

Hello fellow Shreveporters -

We are looking to reboot this group after some silence. In the New Year, I wondered if anyone has any reading goals for 2016. Last year, I met my Goodreads goal of 50 books, so I upped my number to 60. Hopefully I can meet the challenge.

On the SML website, we've started a 2016 Reading Challenge (http://www.shreve-lib.org/readingchal...). Each month we'll post a theme and a few suggested reads. To participate in the challenge, you can read a book in line with the theme (it doesn't have to be one of the suggested reads). Then, share with us what you read using #SMLSuperReads on Facebook and Twitter!

The theme for January is health, wellness, and improvement. This month, borrow the inspirational book you've wanted to read, the go-green cookbook focusing on fruits and veggies, or just a book that lets you reflect on how to improve yourself.

What are your goals for reading in the New Year? Let us know here!