Tuesday Book Club
Yes, I know–I’ve missed it, too. But I’m torn: on the one hand, it’s really, really good for me to have my brain fully in my current project, and basically cut myself off from the world for a while. That’s just how it works best for me. On the other hand, I like y’all, and I like reading, and since we’re all reading anyway, can’t we just check in with each other once a week and speak of it? I don’t know. Let’s try it. If it starts feeling like too much of a distraction, I’ll have to go underground again for a while. But for now, let’s talk some books!
On the way to Colorado last week we listened to The Call of the Wild by Jack London. Oh, my gosh! Have you guys read this? I’ve known about it, of course, but never actually read it. It’s exactly my kind of book–dogs, wolves, the wilderness, a good man who finally knows how to treat a dog kindly–loved every minute of it. Well, except for the parts where the evil men and evil dogs were cruel to our canine hero Buck, but generally I just ate that book up.
I’m on a classics kick lately, wanting to read and re-read oldies rather than new ones. You ever feel that way? Right now I’m reading one of my favorite books ever, The Once and Future King by T.H. White. I’m in absolutely no rush to finish it. And strangely, it’s a timely comment on our current war. At one point young King Arthur is telling Merlyn what fun that last battle was, and Merlyn points out that no knights were killed, but hundreds of foot soldiers were–men with families, loved ones, etc. So was it really fun? That’s when Arthur first starts considering the notion of the Round Table, and giving knights the task of using Might for Right. Do you think some of our leaders could benefit from reading Merlyn’s lesson? Hmmmm . . .
So now it’s your turn. What have you readers been reading lately?
Technorati Tags: Tuesday Book Club, Book Clubs, Reading Clubs, Books, Reading, The Call of the Wild, Jack London, The Once and Future King, T.H. White
April 8th, 2008 at 5:20 am
I have missed visitng each week. The portfolio writing for the national boards for teaching is done and in the mail. I read An Innocent Man by Grisham over break. It was heart wrenching to read but engrossing. I have been listening to the Newbery awards to and from school to prep for my written assessment in June. Finished Surviving the Applewhites and starting on Bud, Not Buddy.
April 8th, 2008 at 6:45 am
I’m reading quite a lot of stuff right now! Srah Dessen’s “The Truth About Forever”, Eileen Cook’s “Unpredictable”, and “The Time Traveller’s Wife.” I’m multi-tasking!
April 8th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Yah,Tuesday Book Club is back! Well,I finished The Host over the weekend and all I can say is,WOW! Such an amazing book-I may be giving it an early review at my blog this week,since it totally rocks:)
I’m now reading The Painter From Shanghai by Jennifer Cody Epstein,a novel based on the true story of a woman who became a self taught painter in China during the 1920s and had to flee to Paris during the Revolution,due to her controversial work.
Also reading Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch and A Short History of the American Stomach by Frederick Kaufman.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:18 am
I hate Jack London. But, to each book its reader, to each reader his book, or whatever my librarian mantra is supposed to be.
The highlights of my recent reading include Audrey, Wait! A really wonderful YA novel from debut author Robin Benway (LOVING the Robins in YA!!) and Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (hello?! How could I MAJOR in creative nonfiction and not have read this guy?!)
Now I’m enjoying Under the Banner of Heaven, also by Krakauer, which combines two of my favorite nonfiction elements - religious zealotry and murder.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:39 am
You’re not going to believe this. Or maybe you will. I am reading THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING too. I finished the first book, The Sword in the Stone, last night.
This is my first time through, and I’m loving it.
I’m also reading Camilla by Fanny Burney. That one is almost a thousand pages and I’ve been reading it for two or three weeks already.
April 8th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Oh - I have been missing this part of the week a lot!
I recently finished The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, E. Lockhart, A Posse of Princesses, by Sherwood Smith, and Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend, by Carrie Jones. Frankie was fabulous - totally unexpected in all kinds of ways and I’m still thinking about it. (Not that I expected it to be anything other than fabulous, you understand.) The Sherwood Smith was highly enjoyable, very sweet and funny - I’m sure my two would have loved it when they were younger. (It’s a great one for girls at the stage of wanting romance without anything embarrassing, and thoughtfully done.) The Carrie Jones was grand, but not really my cuppa, in which I am (yet again) unlike all the rest of the kidlitosphere.
Currently reading The True Meaning of Smek Day (Cybils!), and Marcus Sedgwick’s The Foreshadowing, which blew me away as an audiobook (girl from an upper-class family trying to be a nurse during World War I who has Cassandra’s “gift” for prophesying death and isn’t believed). I’m reading it partly for a project on historical fiction and guess what’s up next? A reread of The Sword in the Stone.
April 8th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Hey Robin!
Great to see you on the boards again. I’m glad all is going well.
Let’s see: I’m reading Nabokov’s “Ada,” because I have to for the Nabokov class I’m teaching. I’m enjoying old Vlad greatly this “spring.” (Still no spring-like weather. Today we had snow!)
And, I’m listening to Saul Bellow’s “The Adventures of Augie March,” just because I never have!!
April 8th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Tuesday Book Club! Yay!
Robin, I also love The Once and Future King. I used to reread it once a year, but I think it’s been five years since the last time I read it. Good stuff.
This past week, I read an ARC of Gordon Korman’s forthcoming The Juvie Three. I always enjoy Korman’s work, but I thought this was a step up for him–a little more ambitious than things he’s done in the past. After that, I jumped into a collection of humor pieces from McSweeney’s, Created in Darkness by Troubled Americans, which I’ve been reading in a haphazard way for about a year. I decided it was high time I read the essays I hadn’t, such as Tim Carvell’s “A Brief Parody of a Talk Show That Falls Apart about Halfway through” (http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2000/01/27talkshow.html). I love those crazy people at McSweeney’s.
April 8th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Hope the writing is going well, Robin!
I’m re-reading The Wednesday Wars.
April 9th, 2008 at 3:51 am
Hi, everyone! It’s so great to see some life over here. Of course I know there’s much going on behind the scenes, but I’m glad to hear from you, Robin, and to read about everyone’s selections. I have read Call of the Wild, but only as an eighth grader for class. I have never read Once and Future King or Sword in the Stone but know I’d love them. I’ll have to put them on my “next” shelf. I’m in the middle of Libba Bray’s trilogy (Sweet Far Thing) and enjoying it, but ready to finish so I can finally move on from her. (:
April 9th, 2008 at 3:53 am
Make that “in the middle of THE THIRD PART of Libba Bray’s trilogy.”
April 9th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Ms Brande, I just finished listening to Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature last night and I wanted to thank you for writing such an awesome book and for the interview with Professor Miller at the end of the audiobook. I look forward to reading more of you work, sooner rather than later please!
As to what I’m reading, here’s a sampling as I always have more than one book going at a time. Right now, it’s “Beauty Shop for Rent …Fully Equipped, Inquire Within” by Laura Bowers, “The Boy Who Dared” by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, “Just Call Me Mike” by Mike Farrell, and I just finished L.A. Meyer’s absolutely brilliant book “Mississippi Jack.”
April 9th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Well, haven’t I enjoyed having my phone and internet go out over and over during the past 24 hours? Actually, maybe I have. It’s perfectly quiet around here, and no one can get mad at me for not answering the phone. Some nice voice from the phone company tells them the line is down. Sweet!
Elizabeth, thank you so much for what you said! And you never, ever have to call me Ms. Brande again. Just jump in and join us, and adjust to the fact that sometimes many of us engage in TMI. That’s what makes it fun.
To all of my fellow lovers of The Once and Future King: Hurray! I had no idea so many of you were fans! And just so the rest of you know, The Sword in the Stone is the first section of The Once and Future King, so if you buy the whole book you’ve got it. I swear that book gets better and better over time–and means more to me the older I get. Maybe I can understand more of Merlyn’s point of view, and I find I have a lot more sympathy for Guenever and Lancelot than I did when I was a teenager. Anyway, please read it if you haven’t, or reread it if you feel like it. It’s such a treat for heart and mind.
Lady T, I’m so psyched you loved The Host as much as I did! Stephenie Meyer is no one-trick pony. That book is going to be a huge hit when it comes out next month.
Molly, what’s with the lack of love for Jack London? How can you not dig a book told from the perspective of a dog? And such an outdoorsy, manly/dogly book at that?
Kelley, I just (finally) bought the first in the Libba Bray trilogy. Because once again I felt the need to purchase books despite my overflowing To Be Read pile, so maybe let’s not speak of it. But I’m looking forward to reading it whenever I do. Having it on my shelf was the first step.
Vivian, I’m guessing Wednesday Wars is a great book if you’re re-reading it. Do I need to buy that, too? (Please say no. I need to control myself.)
Adrienne, I love those people at McSweeney’s, too. That sounds like a great collection. Love good humor writing–it’s such an art.
Kelly, I’m so sorry you had more snow. A little must be lovely, but I’m sure by now you’d rather move on to mud season so you can finally get to true spring and happy little flowers. Good luck. And good luck with your Nabokov class, Brainiac!
Lady S, quite a list there! Sounds like you’re having a great time reading your eyes off. And I hope you do reread Sword in the Stone next! There’s so much to love there. T.H. White was a genius.
Becky, I salute you on your own T.H. White reading, and salute you even further for wading through a thousand-page novel. That’s a real commitment–especially to something I’m assuming has no magic or wizards or any of those other things that keep us engaged. Persevere!
Katie, yay to The Time Traveler’s Wife! As many of you know, I went completely ga-ga over that novel when I read it year before last. Such creativity, and such a smart novel. It really challenged my brain–plus there were some hot scenes in there, aren’t you finding?
Jone, good luck with all your studies. Listening to audio books on your way to and from class sounds like a great idea–especially if they’re helping you prep for your final assessment. Plus, any long drive just begs for some story in the background. Good luck with everything!
April 9th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
I read over the mortgage application for the house I am having built. Absolutely enthralling! I seriously recommend it.
April 9th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
YAH! Robin’s back!! I stopped by to see what was up and…You stopped by!
Hope all is well!
I am a little late, but I have read a few books: Troll Bridge: A Rock’n’ Roll Fairy Tale by Jane Yolen , which was pretty good. I was expecting more from this author.
I am currently reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins! OMG! It is so amazing!
And of course, my audio book: I picked up Pride and Prejudice…Need I say more
April 10th, 2008 at 4:01 am
You should see my list of accomplishments for the last week or so… (Might need a super-microscope to find anything on there other than possible tea stains.)
But really wanted to add a resounding ‘yes’ to the question about whether you needed to put The Wednesday Wars on your TBR list in case Vivian doesn’t get back to do so. You really do. It’s wonderful.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Robin,
The Wednesday Wars is great. It is laugh your head off funny and poignant. I thought this was funnier than Spanking Shakespeare.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Oh, I forgot to add, in case you’re wondering what Spanking Shakespeare has to do with The Wednesday Wars, they both deal with Shakespeare.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Sorry I’m late on this. I finished The Last Knight and am almost finished with The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nichloas Flamel. I started The Once and Future King but lost interest in it sometime ago. I did not like Call of the Wild.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Hi Robin, YES, you need to read The Wednesday Wars!!!
Having a rock-star moment because I, a lowly YA librarian, can now say I am on first-name terms with a brilliant YA author!!! A teen at work tonight asked me about Evolution. I recommended it highly and directed her here too.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
OMG I almost missed it!
Cool books Robin!
I’ve read the 9th sweep book! (soooo close to being done with the series! XD) and also Little Women which was very cute though it got a little *women should be perfect house wives for men- ish* in the end.
Then I read Um, like OM : A Girl Goddess Guide to Yoga by Evan Cooper which was sooo amazing! I love it! She just seems like such a cool person! Her book was kinda life changing for me! Just really awsomeness! 
Also Finished Dancing in my Nuddy Pants by Loise Rennison another georgia nicolson book and it was great too! Sara Plain and Tall, Skylark, and Caleb’s story which I cry just about every time I read them! XD They are so sweet and the writing is so pretty in them! Then I finished my science book, and I read the last day on earth, and the velt. Short storys by ray bradberry which were good but I’m afraid I’m scarred for life on the velt… XD And I think that’s all! :O
BTW I saw your book at the library the other day and I set it out on one of those individual book holder thingys!
Hope your writing going well!
April 11th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Katie Sis bends to no one’s will! “The books you love stink!” That’s why we all get our own opinions here.
But just out of curiosity, Katie and Molly, what do you have against Jack London?
Dylan, thanks heaps for moving my book to a special holder in your library! Love that! And sounds like you’ve been reading your brains out. That yoga book sounds especially good–I’ll have to look at that.
Elizabeth, you crack me up. If you hang around here long enough, you’ll see that there is no glamour or star-power here, just some odd moments from a pretty regular life. You’ll see that more if and when I get back to regular blogging, which might be a while, since I’m in the thick of a new book. But it’s nice to have you join us.
Lady S, I know what you mean about letting the rest of your life go while you read as much as you want. Too bad for the laundry and all those other insignificant “must-dos.” Books are a far better use of time.
Vivian, saying Wednesday Wars is even funnier than Spanking Shakespeare is a huge recommendation, because I thought Spanking Shakespeare was the funniest book I’ve read in years. Now I have to check out WW.
Shai, hurray for you finally getting around to Pride and Prejudice! Yay! Hope the audio reader is good, because that book deserves the best.
Patrick, your mortgage application sounds like some fabulous reading. Did it make you laugh? Cry? Break out in a sweat?
April 11th, 2008 at 10:28 am
hehe your oh so welcome! ^^ I guess so! lol It does seem like I’ve been finishing a lot latly!
OH you so have to! It’s the best book ever! lol
April 11th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
It made me laugh, it was the anticipation that was killing me.
April 12th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I was in the eighth grade when I read Call of the Wild. I don’t really remember why I didn’t like it, probably because it’s not my type of book. I might like it if I re-read it, but at this time, I have no interest in doing so. I have something against books I HAVE to read. I vividly remember how much I hated the books The Pearl and Animal Farm, both of which I read in middle school. Maybe it’s got something to do with middle school, which was awful in and of itself. One of life’s great mysteries.