OFF Bookworms: What have you been/are you reading?

Hm, I've been ok with difficult subject matters, will check into it especially since the outcome isn't obvious.  I don't like "formulas" lol.

I am reading "Devil's Brood" by Sharon Kay Penman. Also historical fiction. It revolves around the marriage of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitane, and why the marriage broke up ... she pushed her sons into rebellion against their father, starting a war. If you've seen the movie "The Lion in Winter," this book is set before that movie. The movie is many years later, after she has been imprisoned for setting the rebellion in motion.

We have a book sale through my employer, where we sell the books we get for review through a silent auction, then the money goes to a charity called Santa Claus Girls. I get a lot of really good books I probably wouldn't have heard of for very little money (I think I might have bid something like $2.50 for this one). There are two books before this one ... I will have to read those too because I don't know much about Henry II and Eleanor other than Henry's relationship with Becket because of the movie "Becket," and I'm interested in it.

"Becket" was such an awesome movie!  So Penman also wrote the previous books about Henry then?  Sort of like the Arthur fantasy trilogy that Mary Stewart did?

Good thread!

I am reading "Naked came I"  BY David Weiss.  It is a novel about Rodin.  It is the second time reading it.  I read it a very long time and wanted to read it again. 

That title sounds familiar to me for some reason, have to check it out.

She wrote this trilogy and some other books. This is the first book I read by her and I really like it. She also has other historical fiction that I may pick up after I finish the other ones.

Hi Bookworms!
I'm reading "Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales right now on my Kindle. It is fascinating, talking about how the mind works in survival situations. He discusses how "survivor-truths" apply not only to surviving in the wild but also to surviving life-threatening illnesses, relationships, war, relationships, and grief. I'm riveted. The book that I read prior to this one was "The Help" by Katheryn Stockett. It was a story about a group of African-American housekeepers in the 60's in Mississippi- it's a great story, I highly recommend it. I saw it in Costco the other day.These are my two favorites of the New Year. I read a couple of others but won't recommend them. I wasn't too thrilled with them.
Julia

A few of my clients at the salon have read "The Help" and really enjoyed it.  High praise from women who are Southern, many of whom had "help". 

Hi Julia,
Deep Survival sounds like something I'd really like to read as I'm sure I've experienced what Gonzales is talking about.  Thanks for the tip, will put it on my wish list along with Devil's Brood that Eileen is reading.

Oh wow, I *loved* The Help.  I read it in the summer time and I couldn't put it down.  A few months earlier than that (maybe spring?) I read Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody.  Did you ever read that one?  It was excellent, covering the same time period and written by one who lived it.  Anne Moody worked for years as one of those maids before becoming an activist when she went away to college.

I only read ocassionaly. The book that I am reading now is called "Confessions of a pagan nun" by Hate Horsley

Very interesting if you are interested in religions from the beginning of time...celtics, etc