Pick-a-Shelf discussion

Just getting the thread started, knowing you guys your already through some books :0p

I just finished reading The Wednesday Sisters A Novel and gave it 5 stars. I wanted to be a part of these women's little group of friends who decided to be writers. I loved how the author based each of these strong women after classic novels. Couldn't put it down...I read fast, but I actually stayed up to finish this one.

I read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It was a sad story of two sisters, one with leukemia and one birthed to be her donor. The book raises some serious questions and is bound to leave the reader torn. I gave it five stars.

I read The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and I give it 5 stars. I loved the main character! I love the fact that she was strong individual even though her reasons for doing the acts may have been immature. She was flawed, but rose to see herself as more than, just a pretty girl. Highly recommend to YA lovers.

Vicki wrote: "I read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It was a sad story of two sisters, one with leukemia and one birthed to be her donor. The book raises some serious questions and is bound to ..."

This was a powerful book. Are you going to see the movie?

Terri wrote: "Vicki wrote: "I read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It was a sad story of two sisters, one with leukemia and one birthed to be her donor. The book raises some serious questions an..."

Yes I am going on Monday. I really loved the book, so I don't expect the movie to compare, but I want to see what it's like anyway.

I hear they changed the ending from book to film.

Savvy by Ingrid Law. 5 stars.

I would classify this more as fantasy (along with 97 other people on GR), but there are four people here on GR who feel that the realistic aspects are enough to classify it as such. And there are some great realistic aspects to this story. I love the family relationships and the new friendships developed throughout the course of the story. It is the first book by Ingrid Law and I look forward to reading anything else she writes in the future.

A Walk to Remember a true Nicholas Sparks book, sweet, sentimental, and sad at the end. I gave the book three stars. I picked this book because the movie is one of my favorite movies, and usually if I like the movie, I will like the book better. The book usually gives me extra insight into the characters. While I liked the book, this is one of the rare cases where I actually liked the movie better. I felt that the characters in the movie had more depth to them then those in the book. The book spent too much time getting to the part where Landon realizes that he loves Jamie, and not enough time on the relationship. One of the things that I particularly liked about the movie was the way Landon began to fill all of the items on Jamie's list for her. In the book, there was no list, so we missed all the growth that sequence of events showed. I think that if I would have read the book first, I might have liked it more, but I am not sure. At any rate, I much preferred either Message in a Bottle or my all time fave of his The Notebook to this story. I guess I would say it was cute, but not powerful as some of his other stories have been.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon.

There's a hype about this book and after reading this, I understand why it's there, though I wouldn't exactly call this book fantastic. I like how Haddon managed to completely write from the perspective of an autistic teenager. It gives me some sort of perspective how weird and different the world we see as normal must be for them. It kind of makes me think of how much us 'normal' people take small daily things for granted while some other people can see it with a completely different eyes!

The downside of this for me is just the facts that Christopher often wanders into. They don't interest me and kinda bore me out, but apart from that the book is good - worth three and half stars!

I also read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and I really enjoyed it. It's the kind of book where I sort of know where it's going to go, but it still keeps me reading nonetheless! I literally couldn't put it down! Four stars from me!

Let's see what I can justify for this theme...

Familiar Scars

And..........

Does the comic book The Crow count?

Well, the month is young still

I used finished reading The 19th Wife A Novel by David Ebershoffand I really enjoyed it. Couldn't put it down. Gave it 5 stars. I loved the mix of history based with murder investigation too!

**SPOILERS**


I just finished "Memoirs of a Geisha" and I would have given it 4 stars all the way up to the end, but I would have to give it only 3, as I found the end so disappointing.

It was very well researched and fascinating to see inside the life of a geisha. I'm very glad being an apprentice teacher is not so cut-throat or demeaning. I also loved the well developed charaters. Mameha, with her ofteN hidden motives, Hatsumomo, with her pure evil, and especially Nobu with his crusty good heartedness.

What I didn't like was the ending. Somehow it doesn't sit well with me that Sayuri got exactly what see wanted by a terrible act of betrayal. Happily ever after should not be earned at that price. Also, it was hard for me to believe that the Chairman, who throuoght the book was described as honorable, kind, owing Nobu everything, and Nobu's best friend, would think it was all the sudden okay to become Sayuri's danna because she had broken Nobu's heart, by betrayal no less, and he did not want her any more. That didn't strike the right chord with me.

I think the book would have been better if it would have had more a Shakespearean ending. When the Chairman came to meet Sayuri at the Ichiriki Teahouse, he had actually come to tell her that Nobu was breaking off the arrangement to be her danna and didn't want to see her again. Then she simply lived her life in the okiya until she raised the money to move to New York and always regretted how she had treated Nobu.

Ah well, I didn't write the book, so I don't get to write the ending! :)

Mitzie wrote: "I also read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and I really enjoyed it. It's the kind of book where I sort of know where it's going to go, but it still keeps me reading nonetheless! I literally cou..."

I also read
My Sister's Keeper. I gave it four stars! A powerful story that was written so skillfully, that I could sympathize with all the characters equally. I thought the end was fairly predictable, but there were still some surprises. I can't wait for the movie now.

I just finished The Poisonwood Bible. I loved the fact that it was completly thought provoking and dynamic. I am still digesting much of it. I give it 4 stars.

The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian
Gave it 5 stars because I thought it was creatively written. So much so, that I am still confused after reading it (there was quite a twist at the end). This book has received a lot of harsh reviews, but I really think that a book that can cause you to pause (or in my cause stop) after you have finished it but it was well written. I highly recommend it (because then we can discuss it and figure it out together :)

Angela - I just read the summary for Double Bind and I must say, I am intrigued by both it and your opinion of it. I may have to read this one. If I do, I will look forward to discussing it.

Jacob Have I Lovedby Katherine Paterson
A beautiful heartbreaking story about a young woman's journey into adulthood. Sara-Louise struggles against the expectations of her tiny community as well as the (perceived?) favouritism toward her twin sister. I re-read this book every few years and it still moves me to tears.
Four stars.

Lyn- I went to a discussion board for some of the 'questions' I had after reading it and a lot of people had the same questions. It really was an intriguing read and I may have to read it again just to see if I can link the missing pieces in my head.

Angela - I am getting more and more intrigued. I think I will order it from the library today.

Belong to Me A Novelby Maria de los Santos

I give this book 4 stars. The book is totally predictable. I think by 1/3 of the way through I had figured out how it was going to end. That said, I LOVED Maria de los Santos writing style, and her characters were so wonderful, none of them perfect, but all of them bristling with personality, that I never wanted it to end. I want to get her first book to read now, and hope she continues to write novels and not just poetry.

Sara wrote: "I used finished reading The 19th Wife A Novel by David Ebershoffand I really enjoyed it. Couldn't put it down. Gave it 5 stars. I loved the mix of history based wi..."

I have just bought the book and looking forward to reading - I heard the author speak at Sydney Writers Festival - he is a well-repected editor as well which is my line of work. He seemed to have a really clear mind so I look forward to reading his writing. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

Angela wrote: "The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian
Gave it 5 stars because I thought it was creatively written. So much so, that I am still confused after reading it (there was quite a twist at the end). This boo..."

I really liked this one too Angela! Definitely threw me for a loop even though I had accidentally read a spoiler in a thread on TNBBC. I'm happy to chat about it if you want!

Just finished Sold by Patrica McCormick-4 stars

I read this book in a few hours, it totally sucked me in plus it's written in short verse-like passages so it goes fast. It's about a young girl from Nepal who is sent to be a maid after her family is devastated by a monsoon. What she doesn't know is that she's actually been sold to a brothel in India. Really disturbing but good.

Also just finished Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson-4 stars

A lot like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, it's about 3 girls who wind up thrown together at a peach orchard. Nothing new but still enjoyable ya/chick lit/fluff.

Joanie- I read the thread in TNNBC and saw where you were spoiled. I did pose some questions in that thread so if you want to discuss there, that would be great!

I also read Peaches this month. I did not know that it fit into this shelf, I had it marked as Young Adult, but I can see where it would fit as Realistic Fiction too.
I agree it is a lot like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but I think there is a little "The Breakfast Club" influence as well. Three girls with very different personalities and and social groups.
I also gave it 4 stars. A fluffy beach read perfect for summer.

I just started a book called "The Housewife and the Actor". It is not on the shelf, but it is realistic fiction so I am reading it anyway. Can I put it on the shelf? How? It is a brand new book.

I am really enjoying it so far (am up to about page 100+). The dialouge crackles like a good Cary Grant or Hugh Grant/Sandra Bullock movie. It is one of those books where I keep reading the first paragraph of the next chapter and before I know it the whole chapter is finished and I am on to the next one. It is fluffy and fun so far. Also a perfect summer read.

Lynne, you put it on the shelf by creating your own shelf called "realistic-fiction" and then adding that book to your shelf. It will then show up on the GR list of books shelved as "realistic-fiction" - especially once several people have added it to that shelf.

I read The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

It's about a Hispanic girl growing up in a poor neighborhood of Chicago. The short chapters paint a picture of what life is like on Mango Street. Esperanza is the main character and she is always wishing for a better life. In this regard, it reminds me of another book I read--When I was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago. "Mango Street" is targeted for Young Adults but I think adults would enjoy it--I know I did and I give it 4 stars.

Just finished Nineteen Minutes another very thought-provoking book from Jodi Picoult. As I have 2 sons who both like playing video and computer games, I found myself looking at them in a new way and kept asking them if everything is alright at school!

Angela wrote: "Joanie- I read the thread in TNNBC and saw where you were spoiled. I did pose some questions in that thread so if you want to discuss there, that would be great! "

Great, I'll check it out!

I finished Matrimony A Novel and I gave it 2 stars.
I think this book is what I envisioned Realistic Fiction to be when I picked this shelf. It was hard for me to finish, and I doubt I would have if it was not for this book club.
I found it too rooted in reality and commonplace problems. Even the climax of the book was not very climatic and in the end I was hoping for one of them to die or something big or awful to happen to them just because I wanted something unexpected.

Tara wrote: "I finished Matrimony A Novel and I gave it 2 stars.
I think this book is what I envisioned Realistic Fiction to be when I picked this shelf. It was hard for me to finish, and I d..."

Tara, as much as I enjoyed this book, I do know what you mean about the climax of the book. I too was looking for something to happen to them ;-)

I finished My Sister's Keeper today...I loved it, and the ending kinda threw me off...can't wait to watch the movie

Just finished The Outsiders By S.E.Hinton. Absolutely Amazing! Loved it, Loved it, Loved it! Ordering 'Rumble Fish' & 'That was then, this is now' & going to pick up the movie as we speak. Fantastic! For anyone writing a book of this quality it is quite a feat, let alone a 16 year old girl - just exceptional. Thanks Lynne for the shove:)
5 Stars***** in it's sleep.

Cam: wrote: "Just finished The Outsiders By S.E.Hinton. Absolutely Amazing! Loved it, Loved it, Loved it! Ordering 'Rumble Fish' & 'That was then, this is now' & going to pick up the movie as we sp..."

Cam- Also one of my faves!! I read it in Junior High when it first came out and eventually read the other two when they came out. So glad you liked them. In addition, I saw the movie and liked it, which is rare. Usually I feel movies don't do justice. Anyway - I'm glad you liked it.

Cam: wrote: "Just finished The Outsiders By S.E.Hinton. Absolutely Amazing! Loved it, Loved it, Loved it! Ordering 'Rumble Fish' & 'That was then, this is now' & going to pick up the movie as we sp..."

Glad to be of service! Slight warning though, I did not like any of the other books nearly as much. They were good, but not AS good. As I said "The Outsiders" is one of the few books I have read more than once and I have read it probably 4 or 5 times.

I read The Flying Troutmans and gave it 3 stars.
This book is a wild ride. A strange mix of sadness and hope. It had some pretty funny parts, but was not a comedy. It was a good story about the lives affected by someone with mental illness. The ending was not as I expected and kind of let me down.

I finished "The Actor and the Housewife". I really liked it and would give it 4 stars.

Esentially it askes the question "Can a woman and a man be platonic friends?"

Although it got a tad preachy at times I absolutely loved all the dialouge between the two main characters, Becky and Felix. There interchanges sparkled like good champagne (or sparkling cider if you are a Mormon like Becky). It was like reading a Cary Grant movie. Perfect for summer.

I picked the Shelf picker for August from those who read Classic books in June (so that everyone has a whole month to read)and The next shelf picker will be choosing from Realistic Fiction readers.

The winner and shelf picker for August is CAM!

Congrats Cam!

OOh, Cam - can't wait to see what you pick!!

Awesome Cam. It's FINALLY your turn. I know you will pick a good shelf.

Congrats, Cam! We wait with bated breath for your pick!

Sorry i'm new to this group but it sounds really interesting hope you guys don't mind me jumping in :)

I've read My Sisters Keeper also, and absolutely loved it. Think its a wonderful book, full of twists and turns, and the ending is quite litterally the opposite of what you expected to happen!

Whit3tig3y wrote: "Sorry i'm new to this group but it sounds really interesting hope you guys don't mind me jumping in :)

I've read My Sisters Keeper also, and absolutely loved it. Think its a wonderful book, full..."

Welcome! I thought the same thing about the ending. I still am not sure if I liked the ending, but I think it was an unexpected way to end it.

Tara wrote: "Whit3tig3y wrote: "Sorry i'm new to this group but it sounds really interesting hope you guys don't mind me jumping in :)

I've read My Sisters Keeper also, and absolutely loved it. Think its a won..."

Loved it too and agree with the ending...I'm watching the movie tomorrow...YAY

YAY yay yay, Sorry computer has been a bit hit and miss the last few days & I missed these massages completely. Thanks Tara I'm super excited & now can't think. Will have a quick look & get back to you all very soon.
P.S. Thankyou Lyn for the shove you were very sweet in the way you let me know - must run in the family (the sweet & the shoving)!

All done. Thanks again Tara, & for everyone's excitement & for waiting. Hope after this wonderful month of realistic fiction with Tara, your all ready for a little romance from me.

Cam: wrote: "All done. Thanks again Tara, & for everyone's excitement & for waiting. Hope after this wonderful month of realistic fiction with Tara, your all ready for a little romance from me."

I actually debated Romance instead of Realistic Fiction. Great choice!