Smokinjbc’s Comments (group member since Aug 29, 2007)

Smokinjbc’s comments from the SDMB - Straight Dope group.

Don't hate on westerns- working on my Nanowrimo western now :).

I got "Today I Baled The Hay For the Sheep That The Coyotes Eat" by Bill Stockton. It hasn't actually made it here yet, but can't wait to read it. My local library is so great now that I told people no book gift cards necessary this year, but that one was harder to get.

Wow..love the Lonesome Dove love here.

Yes, still read it if you have seen the movie. The movie was beautifully done, but the book is just jaw-droppingly well written and wonderful. I recommend reading the others in the series as well, especially "Dead Man's Walk".

I recently read "Great Expectations" and I was glad I did, although I hurried through the first half, got towards the second half and realized that this was an incredible book and needed a little more care. So re-reading it now.

Well, I got the book from the libray, finally. Of course now I don't have a computer except for at work but if you all would like to start a group read, we can whenever you all are ready!

My paperspine queue has a mind of it's own so haven't gotten it yet- could run to the bookstore tomorrow though- can do either Great Expectations or David Copperfield- I did like the miniseries for D.C.

Just an update- I just sent back my most recent book today and have Great Expectations on the top of my queue. Will take about 7-10 days to get and we can start a group read then? Or if everyone is anxious to start- I can just take my cheapskate self to the used book store and buy one :).

I think I will start with Great Expectations, I will put it in my Paperspine queue, it may take a few weeks but will let you know :). I think it is the one with Ms. Havisham- I haven't seen the movie except the modern version with Ethan Hawke/Gwyneth Paltrow.

Thanks again!

Thanks for the great suggestions!

Hi all,

I am trying to work in a classic or two into my regular reading. I end up basing the one's I pick on PBS mini-series I enjoyed like "The Forsythe Saga" or "The Way We Live Now". I couldn't get into Dickens when I was younger but after seeing a recent biography, I wouldn't mind giving him another try. I was intrigued by the "Bleak House" mini-series, although I only got to see half of it- but it seems to be his heaviest work and maybe I should start with "David Copperfield" or "Great Expectations" instead?

Which Charles Dicken's book would you recommend to start with?

I've read "Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife" which was quite racy and not at all authentic but fun if you like that kind of thing. I think I read another one about the daughters - can't remember what it was called though- it was just "ok". I would like to read "Mr. Darcy's Diary" though (running to to-read list now :)

I think you are making the right choice with Misery. It was my first Stephen King book and I can still remember certain horror scenes almost verbatim. I was lucky enough to read it before I had seen the movie too. Green Mile would be my second choice- I don't think I ever got around to Thinner or if I did, I promptly forgot all about it.

I'm about 200 pages in and I have a strong feeling this will be my new favorite book soon. I love Capt. Illium... the other narrators are interesting too but he's so sarcastic and hopeful at the same time. I am imagining the movie already with James Purefoy (Marc Anthony from HBO's Rome) as Capt. Illium. I want to have his babies !

Ok.. I just realized that I may have just shed chick lit light on the book by that last comment, but its really solid historical fiction VBG.

Great idea! (I never had so many friends, makes my myspace page look pathetic :) )

My top three:

"Lonesome Dove & Dead Man's Walk" by Larry McMurtry (I think of them as one)

"Trainspotting" by Irvine Welsh

"Nop's Trials" by Donald Macaig