Whatcha Reading?

Hedgetrimmer · Jan 25, 2008

Hey, guys. I thought it would be nice if we all shared what we're currently reading, whether juvenile or adult. Perhaps we can turn each other onto authors and works we may not otherwise come across on our own.

Right now, I'm enjoying a collection of nature essays (Winter: Notes From Montana) by the wonderfully talented Rick Bass. Very engaging writer.

myscribe · Jan 25, 2008

What a great idea! I love to find new ideas for books.

I tend to read several things at the same time, but I'm a fast reader (somehow that makes it okay?). Usually something fiction paired with something(s) nonfiction

First on the list is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. This book is magical.

Then there's Jane Yolen's Take Joy: A Writer's Guide to Loving the Craft. It came highly recommended and has not disappointed yet.

Lastly I'm reading Jesus of Nazareth by Joseph Ratzinger aka Pope Benedict (for a class). Lots of biblical scholarship (and big words), but I've found some interesting concepts in it so far.

brittanimae · Jan 25, 2008

Moby Dick (I have a feeling it will take me a while)
Peter and the Starcatchers (Dave Barry and Ridley Scott)
Finishing The End (Lemony Snicket) even though I already listened to it on CD over the holidays, because I'm hoping more loose ends get tied up when I read it than when I listened.

C.J. Rockwell · Jan 25, 2008

myscribe said:
What a great idea! I love to find new ideas for books.

I tend to read several things at the same time, but I'm a fast reader (somehow that makes it okay?).

I also read multiple books myscribe. I'll have divide this list up a bit-

What I've recently finished (Children's Fiction)
Smart Dog by Vivian Vande Velde
I discovered this book when it was mentioned in an issue of Children's Book Insider, and I'm glad I did. It's the only book I've read apart from The Tale of Despereaux that I read in one sitting, and I enjoyed every chapter of it. If you like dogs, this is a must-read.

Walter: The Story of a Rat by Barbra Wersba
If anyone's heard of Literacy and Longing in L.A. by co-authors Karen Mack and Jennifer Kaufman, this book is like a light-hearted, though still poignant YA version of it in terms of how rich in detail it is, and how smart and witty it is. Plus, the splash of nice illustrations doesn't hurt either.

It's about a literate rat who wishes to befriend a reclusive woman who's a children's author. Not only is it a satisfying read, but also it mentions books and authors worth checking out. The only bummer (And it's minor) is that unlike Literacy and Longing, there's no bibliography, so you'll have to skim through to find a book you were interested in referenced.

The Boy, The Rat, and The Butterfly by Beatrice de Regniers
This book will be hard to find, and it might set you back a few greenbacks, but it's worth it. It has a literary feel like Walter, but for the picture book crowd. This was one of the books mentioned in Walter so that's how I discovered it. It's one of the crown jewels of my collection as it represents the kind of rich tale I'd like to weave in the picture book form.

Funny, Funny Lyle by Bernard Waber
Ever since I discovered this series, I've been on a mad dash to have every book ever created, and this one of the five I have thus far. This is the kind of book I wish someone read to me when I was a kid, but I'm glad I've read it now. I won't say what happens, as I don't want to spoil it. It's that good, and lives up to the title. Highly recommended to picture book readers of any age.

What I've recently finished (Adult Fiction)
Blondes Have More Felons by Alesia Holliday
Love mysteries? OR are you more into legal thrillers? Either way, you must give this book a shot. It combines the best of a mystery with the suspense and pacing of a thriller, without all the gory violence, and it's hilarious to boot. I couldn't ask for more, and I'm waiting impatiently for the next one in the series.

What I'm reading currently (Children's Fiction)
Poppy by Avi
Judy Moody #1 by Megan Macdonald

What I'm reading currently (Adult fiction)
Literacy and Longing in L.A. by Karen Mack and Jennifer Kaufman
An Ornithologist's Guide to Life by Ann Hood
The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood

If anyone knows of any good Fantasy/Mystery stories, or quirky fairy tales with a funny bone, let me know.

BrookieCookie777 · Jan 30, 2008

Currently reading YOUR FIRST TWO YEARS IN YOUTH MINISTRY and A TALE OF TWO CITIES.

Cassidy · Jan 30, 2008

Anne Stone- Delible
MJ Hyland- Carry Me Down
Both adult fiction and both good...

Hillary · Jan 31, 2008

I'm reading the fourth Clementine book in the series by Sara Pennypacker.

But you guys can't read it, it's just pages in my hand. However, you can get a jump on the earlier part of the series. First one is coming out in paperback soon, and the second is out in hardcover. The third one will be out in the spring.

But go ahead and buy them all in hardcover. I've got serious college loans that need to be taken care of, and soon.

I'm also reading some Flat Stanley, but that's research.

Lisa F · Feb 6, 2008

I always have more than one book going. One comment first - someone said they are reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. I have signed proof copy. I got it the week it came out at a teacher's conference. I read it to my class the very next Monday. I told them we were probably the first class to ever get to read it!

)

I'm reading...

Children's...
(Just finished...again) Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown
(For the 3rd time): Tales of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
(Going to read next...Charlotte's Web)
I read (and reread) picture books every day (It's part of my job

)...recently: A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon, Owl Moon by Jane Yolen, The Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting, American Journeys (a big book)

Adult...
Whirlwind Affair (Regency romance...my weakness) by Jacquie Dalessandro

Writing...
The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes by Bickham
Time to Write by Kelly Stone

Just bought...
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

Just preordered...
The Fiction Class by someone named Susan who posts on AW (The book sounds really sounds interesting.)

Just arrived...
Parenting with Love and Logic by Jim Faye

butterscotch · Feb 14, 2008

VERY GOOD BOOKS

Well, right now I am reading the lord of the rings series again :hooray:

They are really good for those of you who have not read them (shame on you) And I really enjoy them.

sissybaby · Feb 14, 2008

I'm reading A Tale of Despereaux to my 7 year old, and just finished Olive's Ocean. Now I'm halfway through Surviving the Applewhites. Oh, and in between I'm reading Vision in Death by J.D.Robb.

MsJudy · Feb 14, 2008

Always reading, all over the place...

But here's a fascinating one you may not have heard of: Memories of Silk and Straw: A Self-Portrait of Small-Town Japan by Dr. Junichi Saga. This country doctor went around interviewing everyone in his town who'd been alive before WWII. Geisha, fishermen, tofu makers, charcoal burners, rice farmers, merchants. Fabulous details about their lives, and beautifully translated so it's very easy to read.

ishtar'sgate · Feb 14, 2008

Sorry but it's not that exciting. Research material on ancient Assyria and Babylonia. Of course at night I read a chapter or two of a murder mystery. My current read is 'Shell Game' by Carol O'Connell.
Linnea

slhastings · Feb 15, 2008

I'm reading a bunch of books by Alan Rabinowitz--adventurer at large. One is called Chasing the Dragon's Tail, the other is Jaguar, the third is Life in the Valley of Death. All of his books chronicle his life work of saving our big cats and other animals from extinction. The books read like fiction. (He's been stabbed, maimed, drugged...and that's just a small sampling). They call him the Indiana Jones of wildlife.

I'm also reading a bunch of MG novels...

writin52 · Feb 21, 2008

What I've been Reading

Other than my own stuff ad nauseum, I just finished "Knit Fast, Die Young" by Mary Kruger and back issues of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. I find the mysterious photograph in many of the issues a good starter for my own writing.
Books from my small kidlit collection I reread as often as I can:
Princess to the Rescue by Barbara Cartland
The Canadian Children's Treasury foreword by Janet Lunn
and in honor of the Irish in me: Irish Fairy Tales,selected and edited by Joseph Jacobs

Bookworm · Feb 21, 2008

I am currently reading a novel by Dutch author Simone van der Vlugt (www.simonevandervlugt.nl her site has an English section, too). She is my favourite Dutch writer. She has written several thrillers now and a lot of historical books for children.

Symphony · Feb 22, 2008

Adult:

Have just finished Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (loved it)

Just started: A Thousand Splendid Suns (same author as The Kite Runner)

Braindead Sunday sort of reading: Darkest Fear by Harlan Coben. Main character has a horrible name and is pretty boring but once you get past that one of the secondary characters is absolutely fantastic. And I love the writing style (in a Sunday-afternoon-movie sort of way, if you know what I mean!)

brittanimae · Feb 22, 2008

How's A Thousand Splendid Suns? I loved Kite Runner and keep meaning to check the other one out.

I stopped reading Moby Dick--ran out of renewals at the library, and I could never remember where I was plotwise when I'd pick it up again. I think I'll have to get to that one when there are less little people around asking for peanut butter sandwiches. So now I'm reading:

Treasure Island
Peter and the Shadow Thieves
Toxic Taffy Take-over
a couple of Magic Schoolbus books.

Not an adult title in the bunch, mainly because the library here doesn't charge fines for juvenile stuff! I'm thinking about rereading A Farewell to Arms though--Hemingway goes down so much easier than Melville.

SmartAsh · Feb 22, 2008

ishtar'sgate said:
Sorry but it's not that exciting. Research material on ancient Assyria and Babylonia. Of course at night I read a chapter or two of a murder mystery. My current read is 'Shell Game' by Carol O'Connell.
Linnea

I'm in a similar boat... right now, I'm just reading boring law junk, trying to commit it to memory for my exam

But I can't wait until next Thursday, when I can read for enjoyment again... some of the suggestions in this thread have definitely made my list

TrishD · Feb 22, 2008

Adult: I just finished an ARC of James Patterson's Sundays at Tiffany's. I think it comes out in April, but don't waste your money. A better book with a similar premise is Cecelia Ahern's If You Could See Me Now.

YA: A Little Friendly Advice by Siobhan Vivian. It's her debut novel, and it's fantastic.

MG: Waiting For Normal by Leslie Connor, whose MC I found really lovable.

Eldritch · Feb 22, 2008

Just finished Bleak House by Charles Dickens.
Will probably start something by Neil Gaiman tonight.

wyntermoon · Feb 23, 2008

I'm working with my kindergartener on her books so mark me down for The Adventures of Curious George and the series of books by Vicki Coghill on Dad (VERY funny and perfect for beginning readers).

I wanted to see what all the fuss was about so I put down the Book Thief (zzzzz) and picked up Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts. Now I need to hire those little squirrels she uses to keep her brain going long enough to pump out 200 novels at a time...

brittanimae, how did you like Peter and the Starcatchers?

Zoombie · Feb 23, 2008

I'm reading the sci-fi book Crossover by Joel Shepperd. It's fun, if a bit raunchy. The main character sleeps with lotsa people. She also can kick through a bulkhead with her bare feet.

I also found an old book in my closet called Robota, by Orson Scott Card and some other guy I never heard of. It was fantastic, if short. It had great visuals and a neat plot line and...robots!

Layla Nahar · Feb 23, 2008

Sabriel, Garth Nix.

Trish · Mar 1, 2008

Great Books.

I'm reading Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson. Winner of the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize. It's a great read so far.

The ones I'm reading to the little ones are, SALLY ANN On Her Own by Terrance Dicks. (She's rag doll who likes to be involved in everything that's going on.)

Also, my favourite kids story book, Naughty Stories for Good Boys and Girls by Cristopher Milne. I love this book. But someone borrowed it. Looks like I will have to buy another one. It was a Winner of the Young Australian Best Book Award.

Gina_Marie · Mar 1, 2008

Adult: Women at teh Front(I think is what its called. A bookabout women during teh Civil War)

YA: Rooftop

Whatcha Reading?

Hedgetrimmer

What happened, just there?

myscribe

Who's the ninja now?!?

brittanimae

making a fresh start.

C.J. Rockwell

Not so new, really

BrookieCookie777

Cassidy

writing for kids and teens

Hillary

Neural Trailblazer

Lisa F

butterscotch

sissybaby

MsJudy

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

slhastings

Purple pills and Vodka!

writin52

Bookworm

Symphony

brittanimae

making a fresh start.

SmartAsh

TrishD

Eldritch

wyntermoon

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

Layla Nahar

Seashell Seller

Trish

Gina_Marie