Book Discussion Books

Well, we are down to the wire on this years first half of the book group books.  There have been some really good books and some of the usual stinkers. 
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain was a really good book and a great balence between fiction and truth.  the story of Earnest Hemmingway's early adult years seen through the eyes of his young wife was a really good choice for the group.
Nine Lives by Dan Baum falls under the stinker category.  Even though the stories are riveting and varied showing us the lives of several Katrina survivors, the writing left us cold.  I think Dan should stick to reporting.
Finn by Jon Clinch.  I don't even know where to start with this one. compelling, disturbing, sometimes confusing on the time line and yet I kept reading to find out what happens. This is the story of Huck Finn's father, one of the most discussing characters you will ever read about, but it is liking watching a train wreck. You can't look away.
Room by Emma Donoghue.  We read this book last year for the Meadowdale Book group.
The Worst Hard Time The Untold story of Those who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan was a wonderful look at a horrific time in American history.  It was so well written you would forget you were reading a non fiction account with real people. This was my favorite book of the 6 month series.
The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle is a well told story of a family with a lot of problems who are able to come together for each other when they need to.  I don't think I would recommend this to others but I did appreciate the story and the writing..

So many good books and bad ones too

So lately I have finished. a Chet and Bernie Mystery, To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn, which was great, a YA title, When She Woke by Hillary Jordan, which was terrific, and a book group book, Finn, by Jon Clinch, which was disturbing.  Of these three I really expected to love Finn so I guess that is why I was sooooo disappointed.  I love (and remember well) Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain and while Clinch has captured Twain's style of writing and the dialect of the time (and place) the path the story takes is so hard to read.  It really was the stuff of nightmares.

To Fetch a Thief was really good. I just love all of the Chet and Bernie mysteries.  Quinn has not let us down in any of his books.  I can't wait for the next one.

When She Woke is a futuristic Scarlet Letter.  I thought it was a bit preachy at first but found out it just telling the story of where our society could go. Totally believable and a bit scary.

Janet Evanovich's Seventeen & Eighteen

With Christmas over I am back to reading.  I picked up Stephanie Plum in

Smokin’ Seventeen  and couldn't wait for #18 so. . . . . .I bought it in ebook form for my Nook.  I can't wait for the Movie to come out this month, in fact in 2 days it will be showing.  Hopefully this is a begining of a long and funny film series.

In Seventeen we thing Stephanie is finally going to decide between Ranger and Joe. That is the cliffhanger you are left with. No wonder I had to go buy the next one right away.  These two should be read together. If you don't know the series you should start at the  begining, One for the Money, so you don't miss anything.