You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

I'm going to give the alphabet a high octane try!

I'm looking forward to your selections!

Thanks, girls! Although I'm trying high octane, my plan is just the first 2 rounds of the alphabet. I know there are a few on here who will make several trips through the alphabet!

Well, personally, I think two rounds would be amazing! I will take two rounds any day!

Good luck!

Finished my very first task.
Round 1
A - Douglas Adams, , The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
B - Midwives by Chris Bohjalian
C - Nighttime Is My Time by Mary Higgins Clark
D - The Evidence Against Her: A Novel byRobb Forman Dew
E - A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
F - Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
G - An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
H - Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
I - The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
J - The Piano Teacher by Elfriede Jelinek

How did you find that? First read? I wonder if this might not have lost some of it's amazement factor now that every snotty teen on the street has a small gadget (smart phone) that can access the entire knowledge of the planet (the internet)! It was inconceivable when I first read it. (old fogy icon required)

Helen, you will have to excuse me as my brain is a bit foggy today. I'm not sure I understand your question, "How did you find that?" If you're asking how I liked the book....It was ok. Not something I would normally read as humor really isn't a genre I gravitate towards. I'm glad I read it and now I can say, "Yes, I read that book!"

And, yes....this my first read of anything by Adams!

B - Midwives by Chris Bohjalian

If interested, here is my very mediocre review. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

C - Nighttime Is My Time by Mary Higgins Clark

The book was bad but I think my review is funny. If you're interested: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Ah, you are doing good, April. Read away. I hope you are enjoying your reads.

I love Bohjalian but I never finished Midwives - not a DNF, just a 'not right now' that's lasted about three years!

Kat wrote: "I love Bohjalian but I never finished Midwives - not a DNF, just a 'not right now' that's lasted about three years!"

LOL....well, Midwives was the only Chris Bohjalian book that I have read. I have my suspicions that it isn't his best work. I do want to read The Double Bind and The Sandcastle Girls. What Bohjalian book is your favorite?

April wrote: "C - Nighttime Is My Time by Mary Higgins Clark

The book was bad but I think my review is funny. If you're interested: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

I take it you didn't like the book. LOL! I hope you next book makes up for it.

What's for D?

Pragya wrote: "What's for D?"

Hmmm....I think The Evidence Against Her: A Novel by Robb Forman Dew simply because I want it OFF my shelf! LOL 2013 should be shelf clearing year for me. However, I'm going to save it for the toppler. I have a couple more book club reads to finish up and then I have to get started on ! I've put it off for too long!

April wrote: "C - Nighttime Is My Time by Mary Higgins Clark

The book was bad but I think my review is funny. If you're interested: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Loved your review! How does hubby like it? ☺ Everyone's doing so great, I think I need to stop catching up on posts and go read.

Thanks, Jmom. I haven't shown Hubby the review. Do you think I should? I don't want to hurt his feelings or discourage him from buying more books for me!
I've been on my ipad all day! I was planning on reading a book, not posts! LOL

Is he any better at picking books for you now? If so, he'll probably see the humor. If not, well, what he doesn't know can't hurt his feelings.

Poor hubby. He's very thoughtful, but doesn't seem to have the knack for picking good books for a Stephen King fan! As J-Mom asked, is he doing better these days?

Loved your review, and think your hubby may find it funny. That's assuming he doesn't get his feelings hurt easily.

Debra wrote: "Poor hubby. He's very thoughtful, but doesn't seem to have the knack for picking good books for a Stephen King fan! As J-Mom asked, is he doing better these days?

Loved your review, and think yo..."

Well, he hasn't brought me a book lately, but I did just remember that he came home from work on two separate occasions (and for no reason at all.....just out of the blue) brought me Cell and Duma Key. I have also received a few King books from him at Christmas. Soooo, I guess he doesn't do too bad! I LOVE it when he brings me those surprises. You know, now that I think about it, Nighttime Is My Time is the only NON King book he has ever got me! Hmmmmm, I guess I'll keep him around afterall!

Sounds like his average is great, April! I'd keep him, too!

D - The Evidence Against Her: A Novel by Robb Forman Dew

E - A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

WOW! Brilliant and ingenious! I highly recommend this one! I gave it 4 stars for now. I will revisit in a few days to see if I should keep it at 4 stars or change it to 5. Very impressed.

Impressed with the high octane attempt - I wish I could read quicker!

Sarah wrote: "Impressed with the high octane attempt - I wish I could read quicker!"

Well........I'm not a fast reader, I just have a lot of spare time right now. I see some of the members reading 100, 200, 300, etc. books a year!! I can only wish!

F - Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

G - An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

H - Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

Review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I - The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

That's the same book I'got for I. I have been looking forward to this one for a while. The film's excellent (although it's been some time since I've seen it).

Thank you, Judy!

Helen, I haven't seen the movie but I am looking forward to it!

April wrote: "H - Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

Review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

You've got to read or listen to !

Thanks for the suggestion! I've added it to my wish list!

Finished J and K
J The Piano Teacher Elfriede Jelinek
Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

K The Girl Next Door Jack Ketchum
Review to come

Were you as horrified reading The Girl Next Dooras I was? It is based on a true story. Not a book for the squeamish.

JMom is right! You've got to read Horns by Joe Hill.

YES! I have my review written, just haven't posted it yet. I will post it later today. This was my first Ketchum book and I read it in one sitting. It was horrifying! I guess there is also a movie?

I have put Horns on my TBR. Maybe I can fit it in on my next round of the alphabet.

Ketchum's books hold nothing back. They get you in the gut! A lot of them are not for the squeamish, but I really like his writing style and I'm a horror queen, after all!

After reading The Girl Next Door I did a library search for all the Ketchum books. I got nothing! The only one they have is The Girl Next Door! And, we have a fairly large library system with several branches! I couldn't believe it! Then I had an ah-ha moment..."Oh boy! His books must be pretty horrific if the library doesn't have them!" LOL Now I have added Ketchum to my list for Book Mooch and for when I go to used book stores or to book sales. Otherwise, I will have to order them from Amazon. I MUST read more Ketchum!

That's really weird! Our inter-library has 10 of his books, but he's written more than that. I hate it when I have to buy a book to read it, unless I'm going to collect it. Look for the gently-used copies, I've had great success with that on Amazon.

If you find Off Season and Offspring: The Sequel to Off Season, be sure to read Off Season first.

Good luck in finding more Ketchum. It's worth the hunt!

April wrote: "Kat wrote: "I love Bohjalian but I never finished Midwives - not a DNF, just a 'not right now' that's lasted about three years!"

LOL....well, Midwives was the only Chris Bohjalian book that I have..."

Although I rated
The Sandcastle Girls higher, I would probably say Skeletons at the Feast is one of his best. I also found out yesterday he has another book coming out later this year.

Oh I LOVE Ketchum - proper grisly horrible horror books! And I agree, Debra, Horns was great.

Thank you for the recommendations!

I had Horns for my H author but changed it to Haunted Ground which coincides with the March read. Haunted Ground is very good but now I'll have to wait a while before I get to Horns. Darn... So many books so little time :)

Better late than never! Here is my review for The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

LOL! After all of that grisly, horror talk above, I cannot even bring myself to read your review, April.