Book Geeks and Bookniks discussion

I'm going with "The Sisters Brothers" by Patrick deWitt.

For me it's LEFT NEGLECTED by Lisa Genova, with the one I'm reading now, THOSE WHO SAVE US by Jenna Blum, only a whisker behind.

It's a tough decision, but I'll have to say State of Wonder by Ann Patchett.

That's been getting some amazing reviews. It's already on my list.

Decisions, decisions...

Traveling Light: A Novel by Katrina Kittle

Fiction- Child 44
Non-fiction- Columbine

I can never narrow these things down to just one. I'd say Room, How to Bake a Perfect Life & the The Hunger Games Trilogy Boxset.

Very predictable but girl with Dragon Tattoo trilogy

The one I finished a few days ago: The Magicians by Lev Grossman

I haven't read that much this year, but the ones I've rated 5 stars are: City of Thieves, The Last Unicorn, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

It's a toss up. I am torn between State of Wonder by Ann Patchett and A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. Both were new authors for me, but since reading them I have read Bel Canto (it was wonderful too) and I am starting Look at Me by Jennifer Egan tonight. I read so much that it is a huge thrill to find new authors I really dig. Finding 2 in 2 months has put me over the moon

Heather, I loved Bel Canto. I remember thinking it would be a great book for a discussion.

While there have been several books I have liked so far this year, I think the only two I have thought were excellent were The Passage and A Lesson in Secrets. The first is in a genre I don't normally read, so that came as a real surprise. The second is from one of my favorite mystery series, and I really like the character of Maisie Dobbs.

Mary wrote: "For me it's LEFT NEGLECTED by Lisa Genova, with the one I'm reading now, THOSE WHO SAVE US by Jenna Blum, only a whisker behind."

If you like Those Who Save Us, you should check out Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi.

Okay, thanks Heather! I'll do that! I recognize the name but it's one I haven't read.

Thanks for the recommendation, Heather! That looks really good. I've heard of the title, but didn't know what it was about.

Theresa wrote: "While there have been several books I have liked so far this year, I think the only two I have thought were excellent were The Passage and A Lesson in Secrets. The fi..."

ITA about The Passage. Haven't read the second one you mentioned. The Passage is so admirably complex--without being confusing-- with characters I cared about and was deeply interested in. It is a far, FAR better story than what the book jacket summarizes. I am very excited for the sequel in 2012.

I agree. Stones from the River is a wonderful book!

Yes, Stones from the River is one of my favorites, too! I have read it several times--I especially like to take it when I am traveling.

For me it is Unbroken

Beth wrote: "For me it is Unbroken"

Ooh, good one, I had forgotten about Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. I loved it too!

followed by

I'd have to say The Paris Wife!

I'm sitting here writing down all these books so I know what to look for at the library! I think this year so far The Passage and Room were my top rated books so far!

CJ Box can take me away to Wyoming in an instant. His depiction of everything that is Wyoming is so real..life like....it's a welcome retreat from the HOT and HUMID summer in Indiana

Box can certainly write some page-turners. I've read Blue Heaven and Three Weeks to Say Goodbye. One of these days I'm going to start the Joe Pickett novels.

I haven't read anything by CJ Box. I just ordered Open Season, #1 in the Joe Pickett series. Looking forward to it. Any recommendations on stand alones from CJ Box?

Stacey, the two I mentioned are stand-alones. Let me know what you think of the first in the series.

I've not read any of Box's stand alones. However, his newest sounds good Back of Beyond. Might try to pick that one up.

The Dragon Tattoo trilogy I really enjoyed

Oh, I might have to add another one! I just finished The Hypnotist - and if you like the Millenium Trilogy by Steig Larsson, this would be a great follow up!

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

No and Me by Delphine de Vigan and When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman which I have nearly finished.

Lynne - The Book Squirrel wrote: "No and Me by Delphine de Vigan and When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman which I have nearly finished."

Those both sound great Lynne!

Finished When God Was a Rabbit at midnight. It was so good! Shed a tear or two near the end, but hey, what are books supposed to do but speak to you and give you strong emotions - whether sad, or funny?

Miranda wrote: "Oh, I might have to add another one! I just finished The Hypnotist - and if you like the Millenium Trilogy by Steig Larsson, this would be a great follow up!"

Thanks like the look of that and put on to read list
Bob

Melki wrote: "I'm going with "The Sisters Brothers" by Patrick deWitt."

I am reading this right now and find it wonderfully quirky.

Theresa wrote: "Melki wrote: "I'm going with "The Sisters Brothers" by Patrick deWitt."

I am reading this right now and find it wonderfully quirky."

Have this on my wish list getting more and more interested.

Another vote for Unbroken!

Lynne - The Book Squirrel wrote: "Finished When God Was a Rabbit at midnight. It was so good! Shed a tear or two near the end, but hey, what are books supposed to do but speak to you and give you strong emotions - wh..."

Thanks for the rec. The cover is beautiful too.

Finished Mudbound last night and miss it already. Character development and writing is wonderful

Miranda wrote: "Oh, I might have to add another one! I just finished The Hypnotist - and if you like the Millenium Trilogy by Steig Larsson, this would be a great follow up!"

Miranda
i MISSED THIS RECOMMENDATION but on reading about it will put on to read list
thanks
Bob

Caroline wrote: "Theresa wrote: "While there have been several books I have liked so far this year, I think the only two I have thought were excellent were The Passage and A Lesson in Secrets at the library this week. When I read the jacket I thought it sounded like a book my husband might like, so he is reading it right now and enjoying it very much. My turn is next!

Heather wrote: "Caroline wrote: "Theresa wrote: "While there have been several books I have liked so far this year, I think the only two I have thought were excellent were The Passage and [book:A Le..."

My husband read it before I did too, though I found out about it first and recommended it to him. He loved it.

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan was definitely the biggest disappointment I've had bookwise this year, after all the hype and the GR challenge for it I really expected something brilliant, instead I ended up with a one star read. I was not impressed!

Sam wrote: "A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan was definitely the biggest disappointment I've had bookwise this year, after all the hype and the GR challenge for it I re..."

I completely agree, Sam. I just could not get engaged in the stories.

Heather wrote: "Sam wrote: "A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan was definitely the biggest disappointment I've had bookwise this year, after all the hype and the GR challenge..."

I found that, I think the stories themselves were so disjointed. I don't know whether they would have worked better as distinctly separate short stories rather than a 'novel'.

I've heard an interview with Egan, and she talks about the form of the book, admitting that it certainly isn't a novel. She compares it to the concept album. I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would, though I'm actually not a fan of concept albums!

Theresa wrote: "I've heard an interview with Egan, and she talks about the form of the book, admitting that it certainly isn't a novel. She compares it to the concept album. I ended up liking it a lot more than ..."

Which I'd known that before I read it, for some reason it came across as more of a novel than anything else. Even though I knew it jumped around between characters and time (I've read others that do the same but in a more coherent way) it still drove me mad reading it!