What are you reading?

verjoy · Post by **verjoy** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:04 am

Recently read Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates by Gary Kurz (Pet loss comfort from a Christian perspective).

I also recently read and recommend some older books:

The Far Pavilions (historical novel set in British colony India and what is now Pakistan)

The Kent Chronicles by John Jakes
I am currently reading the third in the 6 book series-The Seekers. Historical novels about the Revolution and early American expansion.

I have read the "Caribbean", but it was many years ago. At that time it didn't hold my interest the way that "Hawaii" did, but it was constructed similarly. It started with the original inhabitants the Tainos? then they were conquered by the Caribes I believe. I still have the paperback-I should reread it!

flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 7:41 am

I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/044658 ... Monster of Florence</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cari ... 0446581194" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="">
on our last trip. It was a great nonfiction read about a serial killer (or killers) that killed in the countryside around Florence for over a decade.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/revi ... ence_N.htm

LysaC · Post by **LysaC** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:00 am

I am about to finish <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076791 ... 05">Sex Lives of Cannibals</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cari ... 0767915305" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="">
and it's really really good. Many parts have made me laugh out loud!

The author moved, with his girlfriend, to an island in a chain of islands used mainly for federal purposes like bomb testing and colonialism. The author's take on government & beaurocracy (or lack of) in this chain of Pacific islands reminds me a lot of the stories I hear about the VI government and WAPA. But much much worse. The natives continue to hold onto many non-western beliefs and how these two cultures collide is very interesting.

Previous to this, I finished Waiter Rant which was good but I was looking for an Anthony Bourdain kind of humor and it didn't quite get there. There were actualy some touching stories about repeat customers and seeing these people change over the years etc. I do reccomend it.

I've also become a fan of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html? ... 57">Tim Dorsey's</a><img src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=car ... &l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt=""> Serge Storm series. I've only read two so far and I'm sure I'll get sick of them soon. For right now though, drug riddled and gun filled sunny Florida serial killer humor tickles me funny bone.

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:08 am

LysaC wrote:I've also become a fan of Tim Dorsey's Serge Storm series. I've only read two so far and I'm sure I'll get sick of them soon. For right now though, drug riddled and gun filled sunny Florida serial killer humor tickles me funny bone.

Of course, Carl Hiaasen is the king of that genre, and Dorsey is a close second. Very amusing stuff.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:44 am

I read Caribbean way back before I even set foot on an island. I remember forcing myself to finish it but I suspect I would appreciate it more now.

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:53 pm

sherban wrote:Question for all you Caribbean forumites....
Has anyone read Michener's "Caribbean"?
If so, how was it?
I'm considering getting it but would like to hear any "reader comments" first
Thanks!

I'm not getting a warm and fuzzy about Michener's Carinbbean...no-one saying "I loved it"...it is too looong of a book to start without a reccomendation!

Nothingtoloose- I loved ...Mangoes...ripped through that book.

Maybe I'll see if the library has Caribbean, then I can just return it if it is a "dog"...

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 11:15 pm

Sherban - I LOVED it too - was sad that it ended and found myself not wanting to read more because of not wanting it to end. I eventually made myself finish it though.

I tend to have that problem with books that I really enjoy.

verjoy · Post by **verjoy** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:38 am

I forgot to mention that while on St John in June I read The Island by Victoria Hislop. The story of a leper colony island near Crete. Highly recommended!

Teddy Salad · Post by **Teddy Salad** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:31 am

sherban wrote:Question for all you Caribbean forumites....

Has anyone read Michener's "Caribbean"?

If so, how was it?

I'm considering getting it but would like to hear any "reader comments" first
Thanks!

Sherban, I read Caribbean a couple of years ago. I've read most of Michener's books and don't consider Caribbean to be among his best because there weren't any real memorable characters in it. It does have some good history and explains how the various islands came under different influences (English, French, Danish, Spanish, African), so if you're interested in that kind of stuff it might be worthwhile. Also, he goes into how the slaves were treated and the slave rebellions.

One thing I couldn't figure out was why he created a fictional island called All Saints. I didn't see the reason for doing that.

My two favorite Michener novels are Hawaii and Centennial because even though it's been years since I've read either, I can still remember some of the characters in it, they are that vivid.

If you want to give it a try, I suggest getting it at the library and saving yourself a few bucks.

canucknyc · Post by **canucknyc** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:38 am

LysaC wrote:I am about to finish Sex Lives of Cannibals and it's really really good. Many parts have made me laugh out loud!

LysaC - I loved that book! I agree, parts were hysterical!

JT · Post by JT » Wed Oct 15, 2008 6:12 pm

I recently finished one of the more rewarding novels that I've read in a while. It's called "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. It's a 1st person perspective of a man in his 90's relegated to an assisted living home by his kids. It goes back and forth from his memories of his past as a circus veterinarian and to his present frustrating position. Engrossing, vivid and an easy read.

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:12 pm

Teddy Salad wrote: Sherban, I read Caribbean a couple of years ago. I've read most of Michener's books and don't consider Caribbean to be among his best because there weren't any real memorable characters in it. It does have some good history and explains how the various islands came under different influences (English, French, Danish, Spanish, African), so if you're interested in that kind of stuff it might be worthwhile. Also, he goes into how the slaves were treated and the slave rebellions.

One thing I couldn't figure out was why he created a fictional island called All Saints. I didn't see the reason for doing that.

My two favorite Michener novels are Hawaii and Centennial because even though it's been years since I've read either, I can still remember some of the characters in it, they are that vivid.

If you want to give it a try, I suggest getting it at the library and saving yourself a few bucks.

Teddy S.- Thanks for the feedback...cheers.
Sherb

NIKKI · Post by **NIKKI** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:38 am

Hi

I am reading "The Yes man" by Danny Wallace
This is being made into a film as we speak starring Jim Carrey
I dont know quite how it will work from a
London-Hollywood perspective but it is quite funny
and I can see it would be a good film

loria · Post by **loria** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 10:50 am

i just finished 'three cups of tea'--i found it a very worthwhile and interesting read.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:34 am

Today I am started my annual re-read of MFK Fisher's the Art of Eating--one of my all time favorites. How to Cook a Wolf will be especially illuminating this year. Two bags of groceries cost me $76 on Saturday.

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