Hello everyone. It's good to be back...
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| Mon, 09-26-2005 - 1:31pm |
to the board. Family circumstances have kept me away, but I believe I'm back until the next problem! I've been reading alot, but don't ask me what. Most of the time, I read to get me thru a few rough patches & don't remember all that much. Also, I've been reading alot of light, fluffy stuff for sheer entertainment just to keep reading. That's because I'm going thru a phase where I'm searching for a reading niche. I'm sure everyone has probably done this. My last phase was heavy duty non-fiction (Under the Banner of Heaven) plus lots of thrillers & mysteries. Then I jumped to Elizabeth Berg & books like hers which were ok. Now it's hit or miss.
At the risk of being long winded....I'll briefly note the last few that I've read...
Cruzatte & Maria by Peter Bowen. Very different mystery & very unusual terse writing style. I think I found it on the BC Board. I have another one of his that I'm reading now. They're called Montana mysteries & the history & geography about the area is intriguing. It's lite fare, but good. You'll like the main character.
Death of a Snob by MC Beaton. I like this author very much. For sheer mystery & entertainment she's very good.
The Gardens of Covington by Joan Medlicott. This is the sequel to The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love. The premise is charming. Three women ages late 60s to early 70s begin life anew in a small town in North Carolina. It flows fairly well, but Medlicott ends her books in a predictable way which is tiresome & boring. However, her characters are nice & good people (that you'd love to know or have as neighbors)with considerable depth despite the occasional flowery prose.
I also tried to read 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith. Everyone raves about his #1 Ladies Detective Agency books. But I just couldn't warm up to his style, nor his characters that I didn't particularly like.
Also have a big announcement. Tomorrow, 9/27, my cousin (a high school American Lit teacher for 35 years) & I are going to hear Pat Conroy speak. Both of us are real fans of his & many critics say he is one of our countries greatest writers. If you have not read Beach Music & Prince of Tides by him, you absolutely must try. I could go on, but I'll just hope that you've read or will read him. If you're interested I'll report on seeing him. dee

Dee ~
Hi!
Welcome dee- I go through spurts also where every book I pick up is just not giving me that spark. I read it and enjoy it but I'm not enthusiastic about it. That's why I love it here! I can always find a good book title and recommendation to pick me out of my slump.
Have you ever tried Olivia Goldsmith? She has very strong women characters and she is sooo funny. First Wives Club I'm sure you've heard of but give "Bestseller" or "Flavor of the Month" a try
Hi Teri: So glad you liked Tea House....by Sharon Owens. I think it was her first novel & like you I really enjoyed it. It was "Maevish"! I did read the Julie & Romeo books. They were good, but I like Tea House.....better. I don't think finding something good to read has to do with the changing seasons...it has to do with the changes that come with birthdays! LOL. I've noticed the same thing about radio & TV. There's not much of anything I like except Mystery! (especially when it's based on mysteries I read)I also like the House & Garden Channel.
Yes. Pat Conroy did write the Great Santini with Duvall in the movie. Prince of Tides was also made into a movie with Nick Nolte & Barbara Striesand. He also wrote Beach Music, my favorite. Hope they do a movie. TTFN dee