USVI-On-Line

liamsaunt wrote:I have to report that Freedom is really, really good so far! I was so absorbed in it this morning that I forgot to get off the train at my stop!

Oh I just love those kind of books!
AH

canucknyc wrote:

liamsaunt wrote:I have to report that Freedom is really, really good so far! I was so absorbed in it this morning that I forgot to get off the train at my stop!

I'll have to look up "The Book of Negroes." I've never heard of it.

Liamsaunt, the book is called Someone Knows My Name in the US. Apparently the publisher thought no one would buy a book called The Book of Negroes in the USA.

CanuckNYC, good point. I found a link showing the book with both of it's titles: http://www.lawrencehill.com/the_book_of_negroes.html

Just finished "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. I would like to thank whoever recommended this book. I loved it and could not put it down. It is a novel set in post-WWII Guernsey and refers to the German occupation of the Channel Islands during the war. It is funny, well-written, and just a great read.

Dusty Pete wrote:Just finished "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. I would like to thank whoever recommended this book. I loved it and could not put it down. It is a novel set in post-WWII Guernsey and refers to the German occupation of the Channel Islands during the war. It is funny, well-written, and just a great read.

I just finished this book and I couldn't agree more! Loved it.

Just finished "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet" by David Mitchell. It's set on a Dutch trading post off the shore of Nagasaki in the late 1700's. Unusual setting and occasionally slow going, but a worthwhile read with some beautiful writing.

Just read Water for Elephants. Loved it! Picked it up at O'Hare on my way to DC for a few days. Much better than the typical "airport read."

Who has read Freedom? I am halfway through it. It sort of depresses me but I think the way the author portrays the characters' childhoods, personality types and how that impacts their life choices is brilliant.

chicagoans wrote:Just read Water for Elephants. Loved it!"

Oh I felt the same way!

AH

"The Last Child" by John Hart
From Amazon: A year after 12-year-old Alyssa Merrimon disappeared on her way home from the library in an unnamed rural North Carolina town, her twin brother, Johnny, continues to search the town, street by street, even visiting the homes of known sex offenders, in this chilling novel from Edgar-winner Hart (Down River). Det. Clyde Hunt, the lead cop on Alyssa's case, keeps a watchful eye on Johnny and his mother, who has deteriorated since Alyssa's abduction and her husband's departure soon afterward. When a second girl is snatched, Johnny is even more determined to find his sister, convinced that the perpetrator is the same person who took Alyssa. But what he unearths is more sinister than anyone imagined, sending shock waves through the community and putting Johnny's own life in danger. Despite a tendency to dip into melodrama, Hart spins an impressively layered tale of broken families and secrets that can kill.
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Child-John-H ... 0312359322
I loved it! 9.5/10

Blaine was at the book store at 9:00 am Tuesday, to pick up the new release (that day) by Lee Child. We tried to download it to the ereader but it wasn't available yet. He said it was great.

The Winthrop Woman

Really, really good read. A little slow at first but great once the characters get to America. For woman, history buffs, New Englanders (spec East Coast).

From Amazon-

First published in 1958 and set in the early 17th century, this bestselling novel—and follow-up to Katherine—follows Elizabeth Winthrop, a courageous Puritan woman who finds herself at odds with her heritage and surroundings. A real historical figure, Elizabeth married into the family of Governor John Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In those times of hardship, famine, and Indian attacks, many believed that the only way to prosper was through the strong, bigoted, and theocratic government that John Winthrop favored. Defying the government and her family, Elizabeth befriends famous heretic Anne Hutchinson, challenges an army captain, and dares to love as her heart commanded. Through Elizabeth’s three marriages, struggles with her passionate beliefs, and countless rebellions, a powerful tale of fortitude, humiliation, and ultimate triumph shines through.

Has anyone read the new Nelson Mandela book (Conversations With Myself?) For that matter, has anyone read Long Walk To Freedom? I'm considering these as good winter reads...

PA Girl wrote:Who has read Freedom? I am halfway through it. It sort of depresses me but I think the way the author portrays the characters' childhoods, personality types and how that impacts their life choices is brilliant.

I read it. Stick with it, it is very satisfying.

Right now I am making my way through this year's "Best American Short Stories" compliation. I wish I had looked at the list of stories before buying--a bunch of them are were published in the New Yorker and I have a subscription to that magazine so I've already read them.

liamsaunt wrote:

PA Girl wrote:Who has read Freedom? I am halfway through it. It sort of depresses me but I think the way the author portrays the characters' childhoods, personality types and how that impacts their life choices is brilliant.

I read it. Stick with it, it is very satisfying.

Right now I am making my way through this year's "Best American Short Stories" compliation. I wish I had looked at the list of stories before buying--a bunch of them are were published in the New Yorker and I have a subscription to that magazine so I've already read them.

I finished Freedom last night. Overall, I liked it.