There were so many good ideas that could have been developed to make the story better, but instead it felt a bit manipulated and too focused on bodily things. We all actually enjoyed reading it for the most part, but can't recommend it and were definitely grossed out by it. I am going to donate it to the library because I don't want it on my shelf!
We met late at 9:00 (because Jenn had a meeting) at Amy's house and all ended up bringing treats! We didn't eat them all but the ones we had were very good. I braved several of Jana's wonderful chocolate-chip cookies and ate gerbil style with my front teeth, I can't wait to eat like a normal person again.
Speaking of Jana, here is her cute new haircut.
Halfway through the night I looked down and realized I had two different socks on! They were similar enough that I thought maybe they were a pair with the logo only on one of them, but Collette investigated and concluded they were definitely two DIFFERENT socks. Duh! I have to blame my children for matching the socks, though I did put them on and didn't notice. ( Also, I don't normally wear socks in June, but it was so cold and rainy yesterday that I did. By the way, tee-ball and swimming ended up being canceled.)
{Michelle's self-portrait in her Paris window}Guess what? I've been there!
Overall it was a marvelous night, good conversation and therapy were had along with our shared love of reading and insights as women. There were at least 3 great quotables last night, but the only two I can remember for sure were Jenn saying "I wish I had read this book when I was smarter!" and when she said "I don't want to live past 70!" I know the other quotable was from Jana but I've drawn a blank, I really need to write these things down.
**Have you read books that were okay,
but that you can't recommend?
What types of things offend you?
Any book recommendations?**
but that you can't recommend?
What types of things offend you?
Any book recommendations?**
28 comments:
Now you've got me all curious about that book!
It's too bad your book was ruined by "bodily things." I'm glad you had a good night and were able to nibble on cookies.
The socks are cracking me up. I can completely relate. :)
Oh, no! I read a book last summer, recommended by someone I thought trustworthy, that was rather disgusting, too. I somehow lent it to Lisa (ha!) before donating it away because I didn't want it on my shelf. The author has several books out, but there's no way I'm going to waste pages on her again. I love how you called it "bodily things". That somehow is the perfect phrase.
I hate when a great story is ruined by inappropriate additions. Drives me nuts. The book I think of off the top of my head is "The Secret Life of Bees." It is a good story, but there are swears in it. I was so disappointed. Arg!
Hey, I'm on your sidebar! Fun!
ok, jill. i'm not sure what was wrong with your socks??? i wore THE SAME EXACT PAIR one day last week!!!
It's funny, because although there are disturbing things in the book, I have enjoyed it alright so far, and I plan to finish it. But I wouldn't recommend it to anyone! What's up with that? I sure was surprised to see that picture of me!
p.s. we really do have to start keeping a log of funny book club sayings!
I've read so many books that I wouldn't recommend to others, but I felt comfortable reading myself. It's just personal taste. None of them were raunchy as far as things of the carnal nature though, I can't handle that kind of stuff. I bought a book once and was sitting at my kitchen table reading it when it took a turn down nasty road so I shut it and lobbed it directly into the garbage can that was across the room.
I almost bought that book at B&N once. I'm glad I didn't now.
i think i recommend based on the person and what i think their preferences might be. there are definitely things that offend me when i read, but i actually get more bothered by things that disturb me than those that offend. i've read perfectly presentable books that have bored me to pieces. i actually LOVE "catcher in the rye" and yes, i realize it has a few "naughties" in it- but that's not why i love it.
i love your socks! that cracks me up.
Sorry to hear that your book was a disappointment....so glad that there were cookies and good friends to make it all alright!
Hope you don't mind, I tagged you for a personal policy meme on my blog. I do know some people hate that sort of thing. Check it out if you want!
isn't it frustrating when you take the time to read a book, and then at the end you think, "hmm. . . perhaps that wasn't the best idea." i have a few that are also headed to the library, sadly they are stuck in my brain; i don't also need them stuck on my shelf!
nice work on the socks! it makes me happy to know i am not the only one who does such things!
I have not read a book yet that totally offended me, but I read Time Traveler's Wife and recommended it to someone and they said it was a little too offensive for them. Oops...
I hate when I take the time to read a book that ends up being sooo boring. Like the one we read last month- Excellent Women. Yawn.
I can unforatunately relate too well with you and your socks!
Too bad about the book. I am always bummed after a read like that. Like it was a waste of time..
Great photo of Michelle in Paris! So fun that you called her to chat about bookclub!
From gumming to chipmunk...think this is progress! ;-)
I wear mis matched socks all that time...thank goodness for long pants :)
I love that your book club is so tight knit...we are trying to get one going in my ward but there are too many girls with VERY different taste..some want a romance novel club..uh thanks anyway, others want very mind stimulating books and then others just want to come for the food and social part and I can already tell they don't plan to read anything. So much more challenging than it sounds!
I have heard that is a GRAPHIC book, but I have not read it!
those treats look good.
I laughed when I saw the pictures of your socks :)
I'm reading Chronicles of Avonlea right now it's really good, light hearted warm feeling and a easy read.
I'll usually recommend a certain book for a certain person. I've appreciated you sharing the books on your sidebar and in your posts. You have peaked my curiosity with some of them and they are on my list to read. I just finished Angle of Repose and thoroughly enjoyed it, I don't know if I'd ever discovered Wallace Stegner on my own. Monday was a sad day because I finished These Is My Words, by Nancy Turner...why did it have to end?!? I'm on a historical fiction kick right now.
Anyhoo, thanks for sharing!
I have to say I am pretty picky when it comes to reading. I don't know why I feel guilty reading something else besides scripture. I guess because I need to do it more so if I have time to read I should start with them first then onto something fun. I just finished I am a Mother and I highly recomend it. It was really great. I don't branch out of the LDS books. Jason reads a ton of stuff. You could probibly get into a great dicussion with him.
I am SHOCKED that you had mismatched socks on. That seems so very unlike you to me. Now that I think about it, have I ever seen you in socks? Maybe the one time you spent the night here?
I am not smart enought to be a book recommender...I rely on you to tell me what to read.
I started commenting earlier but realized that I was burning the food I was cooking for dinner, so never got to finish it! Once I went to work in two different pairs of black flats - quite embarassing.
Thanks for the heads-up on the book, I just love reading these contemporary novels, yet often you get into the book and realize that this wouldn't be a PG film if made into one. It's so offensive and disappointing at the same time. You want to finish the book because it's a great story, but what other things will they slip into the story to make it a PG-13 and R film. Is there a site that rates books on content, like films? That would be helpful!
Thanks again! Was there really snow that fell near you? It's cold here, but thanks, we don't have snow!
I know you were reading "John Adams" for a book club. Did you enjoy it? That and "Truman" were 2 of my favorites. Even though they were nonfiction, they read like novels.
I'm sorry that you didn't like the book, but good to know.
It's sad that michelle was away from you all, but I love how you threw in the "I've been there". It's so awesome that you've been to Paris.
I find that modern fiction too often feels its way into filth. Unnecessarily. I can handle innuendo happily, but don't need language or too much "bodily".
I was just thinking I really wished I could reach in a grab a cookie. They look delicious.
I can't believe the crazy weather you guys are getting it was 95 here today!
I am just impressed you finished the book. If I can't get into it, it collects dust.
love jana's hair cut, the photo of michelle is BEAUTIFUL, your edge on your jeans is so hip,
you do have me wondering about the book, but i wil go with your advice, any good book you have told me to read i have love and so i sm sticking to you reccomendations.
but since i am such a picky movie watcher i can only imagine that i would be siddish about different books as well.
I am glad you still enjoy your book group, still got some quotables, and of course missed dear Michelle. I love that you get some therapy in with your discussions...
That photo of Michelle is great!
I read that book last summer, and I felt dirty afterwards. I skipped a lot of unnecessary passages. I love historical fiction but must wonder why they MUST insert sex and such in an otherwise interesting story.
I still haven't finished the book. I will, I was just in the middle of another book when I had to pick up Birth of Venus. I really want to finish the other book before I have to begin my book for my ward's book club. So many reading obligations. Maybe I'll write one of my novel length reviews when I finally do finish it.
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