OFF Bookworms: What have you been/are you reading?
Hi to all my fellow bookworms on OFF,
I'm happy so many people were interested in a reading thread. :) I wanted to post a thread like this every month right around the first and we could share about the books we've read in the previous month, what we're reading now, what we think of books, if we'd recommend them and so on.
I just got done reading "The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane. Some time back, I read "Mystic River" and thought it was one of the best books I'd ever read. The reviews for "The Given Day" said it was Lehane's best work ever so I had pretty high expectations.
It's a very good book and for everyone who enjoys historical fiction, I'd recommend it highly! I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys fiction period.
The story is set in Boston, circa 1918, and revolves around two characters and their families. Luther Laurence originates from the midwest but he has an encounter necessitating his hasty move to Boston, MA. There, he becomes friends with Danny Coughlin, a dedicated cop. All around them, unrest is brewing. Working people are beginning to protest their living conditions with marches, joining unions and becoming involved in strikes. Anarchists are becoming a larger threat to peace and safety. And then ... a the possibility of a policeman's strike? If the police strike, what will happen to the people of Boston?
Lehane's really good about developing his characters. In addition to that, there is a thread that runs throughout the book involving Babe Ruth. I thought that was really cool!
But ... if I was to compare "Mystic" and "The Given Day", I'd choose "Mystic" as the best he's ever written.
Today, I just started reading "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou. Nope--had never read it before!
I'm happy so many people were interested in a reading thread. :) I wanted to post a thread like this every month right around the first and we could share about the books we've read in the previous month, what we're reading now, what we think of books, if we'd recommend them and so on.
I just got done reading "The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane. Some time back, I read "Mystic River" and thought it was one of the best books I'd ever read. The reviews for "The Given Day" said it was Lehane's best work ever so I had pretty high expectations.
It's a very good book and for everyone who enjoys historical fiction, I'd recommend it highly! I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys fiction period.
The story is set in Boston, circa 1918, and revolves around two characters and their families. Luther Laurence originates from the midwest but he has an encounter necessitating his hasty move to Boston, MA. There, he becomes friends with Danny Coughlin, a dedicated cop. All around them, unrest is brewing. Working people are beginning to protest their living conditions with marches, joining unions and becoming involved in strikes. Anarchists are becoming a larger threat to peace and safety. And then ... a the possibility of a policeman's strike? If the police strike, what will happen to the people of Boston?
Lehane's really good about developing his characters. In addition to that, there is a thread that runs throughout the book involving Babe Ruth. I thought that was really cool!
But ... if I was to compare "Mystic" and "The Given Day", I'd choose "Mystic" as the best he's ever written.
Today, I just started reading "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou. Nope--had never read it before!
This sounds like fun! I wish I could read more, might be one of the things I'll work on this new year.
For Christmas, my kids gave me Alton Brown's book "Good Eats, The Early Years". I love his show on the Food Network, and his book doesn't dissapoint. There are a lot of really good recipes, things that might not be WLS friendly (but then, I can't leave a recipe alone anyway), but the little tips and tidbits of info are wonderful. Who knew that Great Northern beans are actually the SEEDS that are inside a green bean?
I'm waiting for the mail to come today with my book I ordered from Amazon.com It's "Winning After Losing. Keeping the Weight Off". Hopefully it will give me some insight into why I'm gaining and provide some material for my support group meetings.
For Christmas, my kids gave me Alton Brown's book "Good Eats, The Early Years". I love his show on the Food Network, and his book doesn't dissapoint. There are a lot of really good recipes, things that might not be WLS friendly (but then, I can't leave a recipe alone anyway), but the little tips and tidbits of info are wonderful. Who knew that Great Northern beans are actually the SEEDS that are inside a green bean?
I'm waiting for the mail to come today with my book I ordered from Amazon.com It's "Winning After Losing. Keeping the Weight Off". Hopefully it will give me some insight into why I'm gaining and provide some material for my support group meetings.
Susan
I am so sold on Alton Brown! My son loves his show and got me interested after the information about brining turkey. My son is now the official turkey roaster, LOL. No one makes turkey like he does--well, except for Alton Brown, that is! I will have to go look for the cookbook. I usually get my recipes from the computer but I have a feeling Brown's books are definitely keepers! Thanks for the tip!
I'd get the book! Every page has little hints and factoids about the recipes. He was a theater arts major, then directed tv commercials, and then decided to go to culinary school in New England...I'm thinking CT? Anyway, I love it.
The book I thought was coming today, Winning After Losing, is delayed. Oh well, I'll read more Alton!
The book I thought was coming today, Winning After Losing, is delayed. Oh well, I'll read more Alton!
Susan
Ever since I brined my first turkey using Alton Brown's method, and cooked it in two hours, I've been the official bird roaster of the family too.
I still remember that first Thanksgiving when the guests arrived and the bird was still in a bucket on the porch. The looks in their eyes were priceless! Then, when they saw me put it into a 500 degree oven......
I'm sure they thought that they'd end up with KFC for a holiday meal!
I still remember that first Thanksgiving when the guests arrived and the bird was still in a bucket on the porch. The looks in their eyes were priceless! Then, when they saw me put it into a 500 degree oven......
I'm sure they thought that they'd end up with KFC for a holiday meal!
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