Book Discussion Forum

Publication timelines?

feeds@yuku.com (Islandgirl81) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:05:25 GMT

I'm just curious as to how long it takes between the time a book is finished and when it's available to the public? Does anybody know? Just to be clear: I'm talking about an established author whose work would, presumably, require only moderate editing; not a new author who would have to hunt for a publisher and whose book might need extensive rewriting before it could be published. The reason I'm wondering is: I'm reading a brand-new book that was only available in book...

Romance Novels

feeds@yuku.com (sublimosa) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:56:05 GMT

Is there something inherently wrong with the genre or am I just getting old or_______ (fill in the blank)?

I think I still read 10-20% romance novels (ten years ago, it was probably closer to 50%), but it is really hard to find a good one. I don't think they were any better when I was reading more, I was just less discriminating (or something).

What makes a good romance novel for you?
What makes a bad romance novel for you?

Here are some of my pet...

Scarpetta

feeds@yuku.com (sublimosa) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:37:32 GMT

I'm about 2/3 through Scarpetta right now. After Book of the Dead, I'm a bit disappointed. I thought Cornwell was getting back in the flow of better writing. This one is still better than those she was writing after the ninth or tenth book. There's still something missing that she started to get back to in Dead. Maybe it's still the lack of first person with Kay, but I feel like some of the characters are still so off kilter.
Jamie, for...

The Williamsburg Novels

feeds@yuku.com (Islandgirl81) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:43:13 GMT

Has anybody else here ever read this series of historical novels by Elswyth Thane? I read them in high school and have recently begun rereading them. The books follow a family in Williamsburg, Va. from Colonial days up until World War II. While there are elements of romance in most of the novels in the series, unlike a lot of "historical romances" these books are more about history and less about romance.

The books in the series are:
Dawn's Early Light, Yankee...

John Shor's Newest Book "Dragon House"

feeds@yuku.com (saundrakane) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:48:16 GMT

John wrote and asked me to let the members of my board know he has a new book coming out September 1st. Two of his books have been our book of the month and he has been very nice in participating in our discussions. Here is a summary of his newest.

Set in modern-day Vietnam, Dragon House tells the tale of Iris and Noah-two Americans who, as a way of healing their own painful pasts, open a...

Harlan Coben/David Rosenfelt

feeds@yuku.com (sublimosa) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:16:57 GMT

Have any of you read both Coben and Rosenfelt?

I first read a few of Coben's books (not the Myron Bolitar series) and then last year (I think) stumbled across Rosenfelt. Rosenfelt's writing seemed very familiar to me, but I couldn't put my finger on it. After reading a couple of his books, I kept thinking of Harlan Coben. I told myself I was just linking the New Jersey locales but that didn't quite satisfy me. Somehow there seemed to be more but one is very...

Ted Dekker-GREEN

feeds@yuku.com (bearofnaturespirit) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:04:11 GMT

A little about the book:
It is the beggining and the end of a fantasticly written Fiction story of a kid living in two realities at once. It is full of suspence, yet holds dear to Gods love. Ted dekker is like stephen King, but has christian morals with ever story. His books are my favorite!!

GREEN!!!
The story of how Thomas Hunter first entered the Black Forest and forever changed our history began at a time when armies were gathered...

Island by Alistair Macleod

feeds@yuku.com (sublimosa) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:00:58 GMT

This is a book of short stories based on life in Nova Scotia. Most of the stories are tied to the farming or fishing life as well as clashes of generations and cultural expectations.
Alistair Macleod is a gifted writer. His stories have an authenticity to them that I have seldom found elsewhere.
A review I read said the stories were all about isolation, but to me, they spoke of human experience. I was moved to tears by several of the stories.
Probably the best quality book...

I really need some book suggestions

feeds@yuku.com (Chl0e) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:32:34 GMT

Sorry if I type too much here - but I'm hoping I clarify what exactly I'm looking for.
I never thought I'd get so into the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I am on Eclipse and then will be done after Breaking Dawn... Several people had told me that they couldn't put it down - I asked why - they said it was the love story - not the vampire part (vampire part being why I didn't take an interest at first). I'm worried now - what will I find that will compare to...

Protagonists

feeds@yuku.com (Violanthe) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:20:03 GMT

What makes for a good protagonist in fiction? Is a good protagonist necessarily synonymous with a good hero? If not, then what's the difference? And who are some of your favorite protagonists in fiction?

15 Books

feeds@yuku.com (Rogmeister) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:56:54 GMT

Don't take too long to think about it. Use completely your "top of mind" awareness faculties here. Fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes.

Here is my own list in no particular order:

1. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (possibly my all-time favorite book; at least my favorite classic book)
2. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (probably the longest book I've read...

All righty, then - what author would you like to have dinner/coffee and conversation with?

feeds@yuku.com (beautifulsoup) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:15:58 GMT

A few people in the thread I started about having conversation with literary characters mentioned that they could come up with authors more easily.

So, here it is; a thread to do so. State your authors/authoresses, and tell us why!

I actually have my own answer for this. I think I'd like to have conversation with Elizabeth Crane. Why? Because, her writing style is very similar to how I think and speak! That could be a good thing...or a decidedly horrible thing -...

What Does One Do When the Book Doesn't Live Up to Expectations

feeds@yuku.com (Lyrap) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:48:09 GMT

Reading this book that I grabbed off the shelf called "Vamped." It's about the world after everyone's been turned into vampires (of the neo type, no super powers or anything of the sort) and, lo and behold, it's pretty much exactly the same as it is now. Big business, monopolies, office jobs, etc. Sound interesting? Not very much so. I'll probably finish it before I get back to see advice, but I'm wondering for future reference whether everyone else can simply...

The Vagrants by Yiyun Li

feeds@yuku.com (librarylover) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:38:08 GMT

This novel is set in late 1970s China. At this point, a young woman is about to be executed as a counterrevolutionary. The story is about the way those in her village are handling the situation. Fantastic read!

Fantasy novels for a beginner,please!

feeds@yuku.com (Tony Furze) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:51:57 GMT

In my advancing years I've become interested in reading fantasy books. I know nothing about authors or stories, so i'd like some help. Who's a good author to begin with? (A list would be great as I can't rely on all being available here.)

I have the first of the Lord of the Rings, but it strikes me as a book to work towards, rather than begin with. Any advice?

Thanks.

What literary character would you like to have coffee/dinner and conversation with?

feeds@yuku.com (beautifulsoup) — Sat, 30 May 2009 14:40:10 GMT

Another curiousity question that I ask without offering an answer of my own.

Why would you like to have coffe/dinner/conversation with the character? Because you think you're a lot alike? Because you think you have common interests? Because you think that character could give you advice on how to handle a certain situation? Because you did not like the character, and maybe you want to ask them,...

TARP Town U S A – The Recession Has A Name

feeds@yuku.com (dtp947) — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:29:24 GMT

The recession has a name and that name is a place - TARP Town U S A

The new book by ESSENCE® bestselling author D T Pollard who describes how that
financial downturn may save the United States of America from itself.

feeds@yuku.com (Islandgirl81) — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:30:12 GMT

This is a really good book with no graphic sex, gory violence or anything like that.

Basically it deals with a little girl who travels from England to Australia under mysterious circumstances just before World War I and then with her granddaughter's attempts to solve the mystery as an adult in the 21st century.

The parts set in England in the 1910s are very reminiscent of the classic children's book "A Secret Garden" and the whole thing is just a lovely...

Tender Graces by Kathryn Magendie

feeds@yuku.com (saundrakane) — Sat, 02 May 2009 17:04:40 GMT

Barnes and Noble tells me my copy is on the way. We will use this thread to discuss the book and Kathryn has said she will be open to answer any questions we have about the book.

Do you savor or guzzle? (or somewhere in between)

feeds@yuku.com (sublimosa) — Sat, 02 May 2009 09:05:29 GMT

I'm a guzzler, no way of getting around it. If I'm not into a book, then I might drag through it, but if it is half decent, I just whiz right through. I don't think it means I don't appreciate it the way that others who might read more carefully do. I haven't found that taking it more slowly increases my enjoyment or understanding. (Of course, this changes when I am reading non fiction-I definitely slow down for better comprehension.
When I was in my teens I was...