share.triangle.com - What are you reading this summer? - Comments

"Eat, Pray, Love"

Kelly — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:58:28 -0400

I'm listening to the audiobook of "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert for the third time sine buying it earlier this year. I highly recommend it to anyone who knows what it's like to try to define yourself in life. Or for anyone who enjoys travel. Or, well, for anyone.

"You Suck: A Love Story"

Kelly — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:53:56 -0400

Although "You Suck: A Love Story" is not nearly as funny (in my mind) as "Lamb", it is still a great piece of work from Christopher Moore. It's about two vampires living in San Francisco and trying to figure out how to be vampires and early-20-somethings at the same time. But with a really sarcastic overtone. Not for the light of heart.

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"

Marie Wright — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:30:00 -0400

This is a beaautiful story based on lives of residents of Guernsey Island in the English Channel during and following World War 11. It is a very sensative story and and told in a very interesting fashion--do not overlook this one.

summer reads

Visitor — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 14:15:30 -0400

I am doing a re-read of the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series (Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, and A Breath of Snow and Ashes). She has some other books out about one of the minor characters, the Lord John Grey books. I haven't read all of them, yet, but have all 3. (Lord John and the Private Matter, Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade, and Lord John and the Hand of Devils).

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Alice Osborn — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:37:46 -0400

I just finished reading Sylvia Plath's only novel, "The Bell Jar." I've heard about this book for many years, most notably in "In Her Shoes" by Jennifer Weiner (2002). Knowing a month after this book's publication Plath killed herself and left behind two children when she was only 30, I thought that "The Bell Jar" would be a very serious "literary" novel. It is literature, but it's also funny. Esther Greenwood, the protagonist, is 19 years old and feels lost. After not sleeping for weeks, she feebly attempts suicide and then she takes 50 sleeping pills. The rest of the novel describes her decline in the bell jar (a vacuum-sealed laboratory jar) and then her eventual recovery. Esther is Plath's alter ego and this book is almost creative nonfiction with the names/places changed, except she called it a novel.
I really liked Esther and even though she is extremely depressed, she rationalizes everything so she appears like a "typical" person. She also observes people and hits upon their idiosyncracies so well, I knew these people too, like the poseur, the rich bitch, and the misogynist. Although all of the novel's events take place in 1953, the novel still feel fresh and modern. Esther wonders how she can balance being a woman writer in a man's world. She doesn't want to marry the wrong person and she wants a meaningful career. This novel (written in 1963) deals with sex, birth control, depression, and even homosexuality (in a small scene). Her images are poetic: "A dispassionate white sun shone at the summit of the sky. I wanted to hone myself on it till I grew saintly and then and essential as the blade of a knife." She uses her black patent leather shoes and her old beach town as reflections of her mental journey.Although it's not appropriate to say that reading about depression and suicide makes a fun read, I had fun reading this book. Esther's voice is clever and ironic, yet authentic. I feel that Plath was born 20 years too early. If she was born in the 1950s instead of the 1930s, maybe the intense pressures she faced as a writer and mother would not have contributed to her suicide. Perhaps we would have enjoyed more of her novels and her intelligent wit with words. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Firefly Lane

alice — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:30:05 -0400

Saw this book in the library yesterday and was intrigued by the title. Had not heard of Kristin Hannah before and the story looked like it might be good. WOW! I cannot put this book down. Make yourself comfortable because you will not want to put this book down once you've started. An amazing, wonderful story of friendship. I am about the same age as the two central characters in this novel and could relate to every word. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!! Buy this book today for your best friend!

The Kite Runner

Alice Osborn — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:59:41 -0400

The Wonderland Book Club (my book club) discussed "Kite Runner" on Friday and we collectively enjoyed it, yet as a writer, I always deconstruct novels and try to figure out what works/doesn't work. I loved Hosseini's characterization and images, BUT he is the most unsubtle writer I know -- so many lines started with, "and that was the last time I ate..." "and that was the last time I saw Hassan smile."" DUM, DUM, DUM. Cue soap opera music. AND I'm a Mustang enthusiast and he states that Amir's (the protagonist)father drives him to school in a black Mustang, like the one Steve McQueen drove in Bullet (1968). BUT, McQueen drove a GREEN Mustang -- this missed detail totally distracted me. In addition, Amir was the most unlikeable narrator I've encountered in a long time -- anyone else out there feel this way?

Going back to the classics...

alilewis — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:42:17 -0400

I have a "classic summer" planned. The following books are on my list:

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen

The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger

Lord of the Flies - William Golding

Gosh, maybe I just wish I was in high school again...

for library patrons...

AHamm — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:39:32 -0400

I'd like to add my own book, Dear Jane Letters, to those by locals. It is a humorous love story, very light reading, and is available for free through Wake County Libraries.

Personally, I have Anne Rice's Christ the Lord sitting on my shelf waiting for me. I bought it several months ago on the recommendations of a few friends and just haven't quite got to it. I also recently heard about Right Lane Ends and intend to check it out sometime this summer.

The Namesake

needlepointernc — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:34:57 -0400

I was watching Charlie Rose a few weeks ago and he had Jhumpa Lahri on. She has written several books. I am reading "The Namesake". It is really interesting. It is about a Bengali family who comes to America. They have a naming tradition and the book is about how this tradition goes awry when their son is born.

I can relate because I have "name issues". My Mom gave me a hyphenated name and it was not a common one. I have gone through different phases with my name. What irks me is when many people shorten my name and then get insulted when I correct them and explain that my first name is hyphenated. Also, many computer programs still cannot handle the hyphen.

Her writing style is a little difficult. I hate longggggggggg paragraphs and long chapters without breaks. But she makes you have to keep reading.

Peace is Patriotic.

Novels for teens

A. Wimberley — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:05:09 -0400

I was the average shopper going to barnes nd noble and found out about Stephanie Meyer. She has amazing books! At first I read the twilight series. Edward is the best!Its more about the vampire falling in love with one of the characters, but it really is awesome!Then I moved on to her latest book The Host. It's a science fiction for people who don't like science fiction. It kept me turning the pages.
The Perfect Score is another book that I liked so far this summer. This book is about 6 teens who decide tosteal the SAT you child might have seen it in the movie theatre, but I find it a good read if you're not too into the thick books like the one above and the authors are by David Levithan(novilization),based on the story by Marc Hyman.
Oh My Goth is by Gena Showalter and is a Mtv book. There are many other Mtv books find one you like! Its about a goth girl that gets transported to an opposite universe. I know what your thinking science fiction,"Ick", but I actually found it enjoyable, but not a 1:00 in the morning page turner unlike Stephanie Meyer.
Finally, the book I'm currently reading Can't Get There From Here is a bout kids that runaway from either abusive homes or parents that kick them out not because of behavior. It makes you think of what you have and how easily it can be taken away. I'm only half-way through it so I don't know much yet, but so far it's really humbling.Hope you enjoy the book list.

Great summer reads...

Stephanie DeKeyser — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:16:39 -0400

For the past four years, I've kept a book journal, and I've got some wonderful recommendations for that perfect summer read!

1. Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers- Mary Roach...What exactly happens when you donate your body to science? It's not all about ending up on a table in front of bewildered med students. You'll be surprised at just how busy dead bodies can be! Roach is a great non-fiction writer, her gory facts tinged with refreshing sarcasm, check out her other works, Spook and Bonk.

2. Welcome To The World, Baby Girl!- Fannie Flagg...The author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe brings forth a woman with a mystery to solve- but the answers probably won't be what you think. A surprising conclusion to a warm, funny book.

3. The Hundred Secret Senses- Amy Tan...What love and family really mean, even when it's difficult to live with them. Heartwrenching, beautiful and important.

4. Unveiled: The Hidden Lives of Nuns- Cheryl L. Reed...When you think of nuns, you think of women in a "penguin suit," right? You'll be amazed by the changes that have come to women of the cloth, as Reed visits many different orders of women who live to serve God.

5. Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal- Christopher Moore..Read this in private, because you'll spend most of the book snorting, chortling, guffawing and gasping for air while you roar your laughter out loud. A surprisingly reverent yet still hysterical account of Jesus's life (Jesus is called Josh in the book), told by his best friend, whose name is, you guessed it, Biff. Any book where Jesus learns kung-fu HAS to be good, right?!? Moore's books are weird and laugh-out-loud funny, he makes for a great, light-hearted summer read.

6. A Tale of Two Cities- Charles Dickens...One of my favorite books of all time, it tells a tale of selfless love during the French Revolution, and the time leading up to it. It's slow getting to the action of the revolution, but Dickens' prose and wild descriptions of the riots and guillotines, and the ultimate sacrifice made in the end, are worth the lengthy backstory.

7. The Time Traveler’s Wife- Audrey Niffenegger...Ahh, a love story. Love, time travel, mystery, it's all here, but be sure to have your tissues handy- you're going to need a LOT of them.

8. A Clean Slate- Laura Caldwell..The best chick-lit book I've read yet. Kelly's not remembering huge chunks of her life, and her friends and family are treating her differently. What could possibly have gone on in those parts she's forgotten, why can't she remember, and what does this all mean? Strongly written, with a deeper meaning than most novels of the genre dip into.

9. Never Suck A Dead Man's Hand: Curious Adventures of a CSI- Dana Kollmann...A woman who worked for years as a CSI tells hysterically funny and sometimes revolting tales of her experiences. You'll never watch those crime shows the same way!

10. The Poisonwood Bible- Barbara Kingsolver...An amazing painting of a missionary family in the Congo, headed by a crazy, controlling father who refuses to bend any of his plans, and the tragedies it brings upon his family. Kingsolver's writing is so crystal-clear, so on-the-spot, that you'll feel like you're right there. Save the plane fare and explore Africa with this book.

11. Angry Housewives Eating BonBons- Lorna Landvik...The story of a group of women who by chance live in the same cul-de-sac, the book club they form, and the friendships that span thirty years. Reading this book ensure plenty of laughter and tears, and the strong desire to read more of Landvik's work.

12. A Certain Slant of Light- Laura Whitcomb...It's a ghost story...Wait, it's a love story! Actually, it's both, with a healthy dose of a love of literature thrown in. This is one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read, with a story that will remain with you forever. It's a quick read, but take the time to enjoy each word, because it will end much too quickly.

Just a handful of the 550+ books I've read and enjoyed since 2004. Hope someone out there enjoys them as much as I did!

What I'm reading this summer

Cindy — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:04:37 -0400

I picked up "The Last Lecture" at the bookstore the other day because I had heard such good reviews of it. It is an enjoyable easy read but has you really thinking about putting things in perspective in your life,what I think all of us could be reminded of at times. It seems we get too lost in our daily grind that we sometimes overlook the most special moments of all.

My recommendation for summer

Wendy Roberson — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:33:00 -0400

My recommendation for summer reading is
The Year of Fog
by Michelle Richmond

An interesting mystery/romance with twists and turns and some surprises!

Summer reading

Karin — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:19:59 -0400

"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. There is not one wasted word in the entire text. It is beautiful, thoughtful, and a masterwork of creative writing.

What are you reading this summer?

marcysmith — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:45:15 -0400

What are you reading this summer? Share the title, author and a comment about why you're reading it. We'll share reader's picks throughout the summer on the Read pages.