Edmonton discussion

Hello fellow Edmontonians. My name is Mike and I live near downtown. I am relatively new to goodreads, and while looking for a group to join, I discovered this one.

How long has this group been active? I don't see any recent activity here.

I am reading several books(as usual), Life, The Border Trilogy: All the Pretty Horses / The Crossing / Cities of the Plain, but the one I've been spending the most time on is The Book Thief. I am enjoying it; it is interesting, emotional, and difficult to put down.

What books are you reading?

Hi Mike! I notice not so much interaction or activity going on in this group as well. Sad really. I live near downtown myself, with my newborn and boyfriend. Doesn't it always sounds scandalous and promiscuous when you hear 'boyfriend' instead of 'husband' when a baby is in the picture?

Anyways, right now I'm reading The World According to Garp for my own pleasure at night (very addicting), and of course for my son we are addicted to the interactive and vibrant Tickle Monster.


I wish more people would join and comment!

Hey Kelly! It's great to see someone else active in this group. It sounds like you have your hands full with your baby and your boyfriend. By the way, I think there's nothing wrong with being unmarried--100% of all divorces are caused by marriage. I am currently of the un-tethered variety, so I can read as selfishly as I want to, with little consequence.

I looked at "The World According to Garp", it looks interesting--I will download it for my kobo (yeah, I'm one of those guys) and check it out. I am on break from school until the 3rd, so I am able to read to my heart's (or my head's) content until then.

I think one of us ought to take initiative and begin a book study in this group. I see you have added TWAtG, as a book this group is reading, why don't we start there? Maybe others will see and include themselves.

Let me know what you think.

Mike I think it's a great idea! Although I have this nagging feeling that we are the only lost souls in the Edmonton Group - the rest must just be fluff. Imaginary pieces of milk weed floating in the air.

You should definately read Accord., to Garp! If you don't you will surely regret it for as long as I am given the opportunity to remind you! Hopefully others will see the prospective book club and jump on the band wagon!

What are you in school for if I may be so bold? Also Re: Marriage - Agreed!

I am taking high school upgrading right now, and when that is complete, I will be going to college and then university for a BHSc in health. In short, I am going to become a counselor. I spent the first decade and a half in the energy sector: I worked the oil patch. I left the patch for a couple years and found my values have changed; I don't want to be part of the destruction of our planet any longer. I've finally decided on counseling. I have the knack for it and I have some valuable life experience that I might use to help others. I'm pretty excited.

Great metaphor and imagery regarding Edmonton Group!

That's quite the mouthful "....found my values have changed; I dont want to be part of the destruction of our planet any longer." Not quite sure how to respond in kindness so I will not respond at all.

As for the counselling - congratulations! It's wonderful when a person finally realizes what their purpose is career-wise. I have no interest in finding mine... Something about jack and trades.. Bla, bla.

So! Have you started reading Accord., to Garp yet? You have! Wonderful, I knew you would! Haha.

Although I appreciate your kindness, I am always open to challenging conversation and debate. In fact, I am intrigued by your response!

Thank you. Five years ago, if someone told me that was the path I'd be on today, I'd have laughed. Jack-of-all-trades--there is freedom in diversity.

As far as TWAtG: I can't find a pirated version on the web for my kobo, (there he goes again with his values...) and I couldn't spot it at The Mall this evening, so I am not yet reading it.

Why would there be laughter at the thought of becoming a counselor? Is it not something you would have valued five years ago? Personally, I love being a Jack as it leaves room for my real passions to be just that; Passions not careers or 'work'.

Maybe the library has a copy? Although my Miss sent a copy from Scotland for me. Horrible friend getting me addicted to John Irving. Haha. No, I appreciated it.

There would have been laughter from me at ME becoming a counselor--just something I had never even fathomed.

I found it last night, finished the one I was reading, "Ender's Game": Sci-fi (not usually my bag, but none-the-less I enjoyed it.) And I have begun to read The World According to Garp. I am only several pages in, but what I've read is interesting; I want to know what's next.

Oooh, not a big Science Fiction fan but I suppose as a reader I would try anything. I really hope you like Accord., to Garp! It took me about two chapters then I was hooked.

Having been a quick reader in the past (roughly a book a day) it is quite the feat for me to get through twenty pages in a day now with my son. I'm sure you'll finish it before me.

I was so bold as to message a few of the members in this group to see if some more activity would start up. Oh my the hate mail I might get for intruding on their personal time... Hopefully someone, anyone takes an interest?

The only book with any substance to it that I've ever read in one day was the seventh installment in The Dark Tower series--"The Dark Tower". My mind was mush for two days.

I hope so too. Happy pages!

So then do you have a preference for fictional novels? I have to say I prefer the 'dry' reads - I.e., Secret Keeping, Rule of Four, This Book Has Issues. At one point I even copied the Websters Dictionary. Two years later, useless binders stacked along my wall, I decided to give it up.

How's the book coming?

Happy New Year Kelly! The book is coming along well. I haven't read much in the past couple days, but when I do, I find myself easily absorbed into the story; it is easy to get involved in, and visualize the scenery. The author writes well! I am glad to read it, thank you for pointing it out. It is a pleasant, fun read so far.

I do prefer fictional novels and (or "however"--both apply), I am interested in writing, and I've heard that good writers read a lot, so I read a lot. I can relate when the narrator tells us that, according to Garp, writers don't read for fun. I will pretty much read anything though, including the dictionary. When I was a kid, my mother would make me copy definitions of certain words she thought fit the "crime" when I was in trouble. From that, I learned the value of the Dictionary and of writing to learn.

I read quite a bit of web-content also: news, consumer reviews, blogs, etc. I love to learn new things and I have educated myself mainly through written words (and then trial and error). My latest project was learning how to over-clock my PC's processor. I probably will never have to know how it's done, or need to do it, but, now I know. I learn because it's fun.

Hello Group,

I mostly read historical fiction and some non-fiction. Right now my interest is in and around Europe during middle ages. I am occasionally lucky enough to make a trip to Europe and sometimes visit a landmark that was in one of the novels I read. I usually read one book at a time as I borrow most of them from the library.

I would be interested in hearing what others find interesting and fun to read.

Hi Ryan! Welcome to Edmonton... the group. Presently, I am reading The World According to Garp. It is proving to be a fun read. Kelly (also from this group) turned me onto it.

I haven't read much, if any, historical fiction that I can think of. I am mainly interested in "stories", so fiction is my favorite genre, I guess.

Happy New Years Mike, and you as well Ryan! Yay, more people! It's nice to see the group picking up.

As for reading I am learning to love the 'stories' as you enjoy Mike but I have to say I read mostly Non-Fiction. Never tried historical fiction, might soon, though. I like point form and quick reads.

Guilty pleasures include 'For Dummies', too much tea and losing my reading glasses :) Any new book suggestions all?

Hi Kelly and Mike, I am afraid that my preferences may be unusual. The best couple of books that are first in a series that I have read lately is:

1) The Last Kingdom
2) The Greatest Knight

For me they were both page turners and made me want to read the next book in the series.

Those two look interesting. I am a fan of fantasy novels but it seems the plot for many that I've read has become cliché: Orphan (or otherwise socially challenged) boy, finds out he must save the world, meets all kinds of interesting people, and ultimately saves the world... Oh and finds a girl and makes her queen... Even the telling of the stories has become tiresome.

These two books you've posted, although I'm sure they contain little in the way of elves and dragons, seem like a refreshing bit of "rustic" or "pre-technological" fiction. Am I close?

I have such a hard time reading fantasy - my mind seems to distract easily and I have great difficulty in imagining scenery. Even now with what I am reading, I have to work hard to set the scene. Hence my love of Non-Fiction.

But I should, perhaps, try again and check out one of these novels.

These books are based on real people and/or real events (more or less, give or take). There is no real magic or mythical creatures. I think there might be some praying to pagan gods in the first one but that's about it.

The timeline for the first one is about 850 AD is about an English boy that was spared by the Vikings in one of their raids and raised as a Viking. He later has to decide on where his loyalties lay. I think the main character might be fictional but he interacts with some characters that were real in history.

The timeline for the second book is about 1150 AD or so (about the time of Robin Hood?) and is about the life of a real knight.

In both cases, the authors appear to fill in the gaps in history to make the story entertaining.

Heyo all,

My name is Renita and currently I am still on my Swedish kick. I started last year (Dec 2010) with The Demon of Dakar and Let Me In and then moved onto Stieg Larsson's The Millennium Trilogy.

I just finished The Girl Who Played With Fire a couple weeks ago and have started The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest in between reading textbooks related to my schooling (business degree).

Anyways, nice to meet you all. :)

Hi all, and thanks for the note, Kelly! I joined the Edmonton group a while ago, and I think this is the first activity I've seen. Good on you for getting the ball rolling :)

I think I have too many books half-finished right now, and I can't start Garp, though I believe I have it on the shelf, waiting to be read.

I've enjoyed the few Irving books I've read, but never got around to Garp.

Ryan, the Cornwell books look good - I might have to add them to my to-read pile :) Seems to me I read one of his Camelot-based books many years ago, and enjoyed it.

Renita, I just finished the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and it was a great, meaty crime story.

Happy Reading!
Curtis

Hi everyone!

How are you doing Kelly? Have you finished TWAtG? What's next? It'stwo weeks into my school term and today is the first day I don't have any homework. I've been neglecting my casual reading for structured reading! I haven't picked up a novel in over two weeks, but I look forward to spending the evening with TWAtG, indoors--(brrr), with a large cup of coffee.

Hi Renita! Welcome to Edmonton. How are you? I've heard mixed reviews of The Millennium Trilogy. I'm sure I will read them at some point though. :)

And Curtis, welcome back! I am also one that reads too many books at once. Usually I can keep track of four or five at once, but they're just so appealing, sitting there in all of their never-having-been-read-ness.

Wow I haven't been on in so long! Who knew an eight month old would keep you this active and busy! But I have still been maintaining my love affair with books and more books. I finished TWAtG and it was amazing! Since then I have read several books until the wee hours of the morning including The Waves, Einstein: His Life and Universe, Schindler's List and have started a new set of books that include such books as The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat & Other Clinical Tales and Surviving a Borderline Parent: How to Heal Your Childhood Wounds and Build Trust, Boundaries, and Self-Esteem.

So tell me all - what is new in the world of loving books? Has anyone woken up lately with your book closed, page lost and glasses crooked? I certainly have! It's worth the bags under my eyes :)

What is everyone reading this days? All have a good New Years? School? Work?