Books suggestions

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Books suggestions

Postby LadyT on Sun Sep 06, 2009 4:12 pm

I've just read a wonderful book and thought that it could be great to share our readings of books outside the manga world. :)

So, the book I just finished is "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows. Here's the résumé taken on Amazon:

The letters comprising this small charming novel begin in 1946, when single, 30-something author Juliet Ashton (nom de plume Izzy Bickerstaff) writes to her publisher to say she is tired of covering the sunny side of war and its aftermath. When Guernsey farmer Dawsey Adams finds Juliet's name in a used book and invites articulate—and not-so-articulate—neighbors to write Juliet with their stories, the book's epistolary circle widens, putting Juliet back in the path of war stories. The occasionally contrived letters jump from incident to incident—including the formation of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society while Guernsey was under German occupation—and person to person in a manner that feels disjointed. But Juliet's quips are so clever, the Guernsey inhabitants so enchanting and the small acts of heroism so vivid and moving that one forgives the authors (Shaffer died earlier this year) for not being able to settle on a single person or plot. Juliet finds in the letters not just inspiration for her next work, but also for her life—as will readers.

Simply charming. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, in the end it's a book that will simply make you smile. I've read on some comments that it's a bit too much like "chick lit" and have too much "goody-good" characters, but personally, all these good feelings and good people inside that novel is its biggest strenght. Sometimes, it's good to read a book that makes you warm inside. :) So, who's next? :D
"L'imagination est plus importante que le savoir" Albert Einstein
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Re: Books suggestions

Postby ruso_0168 on Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:21 pm

that book you suggest seems interesting, at least the name is attracting and makes me want to know where it came from :P I'll put it on my list of "will read" books.

One of my favorites is A Tale of Two Cities, written by Charles Dickens:

I found this at http://www.casadellibro.com/libro-a-tale-of-two-cities/

"Dickens's only serious, uncomic novel, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, is set during the French Revolution and tells a story of unselfish devotion. The beautiful Lucy Manette marries Charles Darnay, the descendant of an aristocratic French family denounced by the revolutionaries, among whom are the memorably evil fanatic Mme. Defarge. When Darnay is arrested and condemned to death(...)"

... and after that they say the best part, the ending :roll: the protagonist of the book is Sidney Carton who happens to be my platonic love :oops: :lol: but seriously this is one of the best stories I have read because of the complex characters and the treatment of french revolution, if you can get the book it would be good that you read it
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Re: Books suggestions

Postby LadyT on Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:15 pm

Oh wow, it seems nice, Ruso, thanks! ^^ Unfortunately, we don't have it at the library, what a shame, althought if I ask the librarian, I'm pretty sure he could borrow it from another library. :)

Still, it made me realized that except for the classical "A Christmas Carol", I've never read another Charles Dickens, shame on me! lol But that's me: a movie inspired by a book can make me read that book, but too much adaptations can kill my urge to read the book. I think mostly anyone know something of Dickens, wether it is "Oliver Twist" or "David Copperfield". :) That's why "A Tale of Two Cities" seems interesting: I've never heard of it in detail! ^^

It makes me think of another novel from an also famous author whose work also been often adapted. It's "Jane of Lantern Hill" by Lucy Maud Montgomery, more known for her "Anne of Green Gables" and "Avonlea" and "Emily" series. I've never read her series, just this novel and series of short stories. But I must say that I LOVE "Jane of Lantern Hill"!! I don't have space for a résumé, but just go on Amazon, it should be there! :D
"L'imagination est plus importante que le savoir" Albert Einstein
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Re: Books suggestions

Postby aoi on Sun Sep 13, 2009 4:37 pm

Thanks for the suggestion. I will keep them in mind. Right now I have too many books unfinished so I'm trying to not go to the book store for more new books :ohmy:

My fave book until now is "Extremely loud and incredibly close" by Jonathan Safran Foer. I have to admit, I don't read many books. Maybe 1 in a month or two. Anyway, Foer is a genius. He use not only words but also pictures & layout to tell his story. He's young and new and as far as I know he only have written 2 books. His first was made into a movie with Elijah Wood "Everything is illuminated". I didn't read the book but saw the movie and it was a very good one. His story is very absorbing, with those kind of tragic and sadness that pull you in emotionally, but also left you with a slight of hope.

I guess he's just my kind of a story-teller. His book covers draw me instantly and his titles would be those I would like to use for my own stories :) I hope he'll bring out a new book soon.

http://www.amazon.com/Extremely-Loud-In ... 864&sr=8-1
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Re: Books suggestions

Postby Ki-chan on Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:52 pm

Oh my, everyone is so literary! I only have the time to read when I'm on a plane nowadays. I will have to take a look at your suggestions!

I just finished reading Jodi Piccoult's My Sister's Keeper -- wanted to read it before I got contaminated by the Cameron Diaz movie coming out based on the book. It's a bittersweet story about a family where one of the daughters is sick with cancer, and the other one was born with the objective of being a perfect DNA match so that she could donate blood, bone-marrow, etc. I read this on the flight from Toronto to HK -- wanted to sleep, but the story kept me up. It's entirely gripping in its characters and the parallelism it draws between character motivations and triggers. I spent a good time bawling my eyes out and worrying all the other passengers in the plane -- I actually had to put the book down at one point so I could bawl at full force. :P

Definitely a good read, but not in public. XD
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Re: Books suggestions

Postby LadyT on Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:33 pm

"Contaminated"! :lol: I think that's the right word from what I've been told about "My Sister's Keeper" movie! I remember a friend suggested me one of Jodi Picoult's books, but I still didn't read any from her. ^^; And Aoi-chan, I remember seeing that book at the library, but it didn't catch my interest. However, with what you've written, I might change my mind... lol

I'm so proud, during my month in Chester, I've read 5 books in English and I've just finished a sixth one. :D And good ones too! But no, I won't suggest them all at the same time! lol

The first one is "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein. I'm lazy so here's the link for the resume:

http://www.garthstein.com/arr/index.php

It is a marvelous novel. Sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but never boring. I recommend this one for everyone! ^^
"L'imagination est plus importante que le savoir" Albert Einstein
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