http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ A book club with a difference en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 02:21:54 +0000 http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/the-help#post-516 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:03:40 +0000 Ck 516@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>I saw from a previous post that Diana B has also read this novel. I thought it absolutely superb. It gave such a wonderful insight into the lives of women in Jackson, Mississippi, in the 1960's, particularly the lives of coloured women employed as domestic help. The story is narrated by three women in turn. Aibileen and Minny are black maids and Miss Skeeter is a white college graduate who mourns the mysterious disappearance of her old maid and who also questions her life as it is. A five out of five from me. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/the-scott-pilgrim-series#post-515 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 09:51:59 +0000 Ck 515@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>At the start of the Summer I had never heard of Scott Pilgrim. I started to read the graphic novels as I came across recommendations on another book club site and thought it looked interesting. And then low and behold it appears in the cinema! </p> <p>I've read the six volumes as at times I try and push myself to read material that I am not naturally drawn to. There had to have been something of interest in there for me as I did follow the series through from Book 1 to Book 6, though am left still wondering what I really made of it all. Would love to know if anyone else has read them and what they thought.</p> <p>If anything it has sparked an interest in graphic novels for me. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/you#post-514 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:47:14 +0000 Deno 514@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>authentic voice of the eighties in dublin </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/whats-happening-to-dine-to-read#post-507 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 10:42:51 +0000 Ck 507@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>I was just wondering what the story is with the Dine To read site? It appears to be pretty inactive, discounting the few remaining loyals!! I'm checking in regularly and there seems to be very little activity. Just wondered if I missed something along the way? Reading 'The Lacuna' by Barbara Kingsolver at the minute and absolutely loving it. Took a little persistence at the beginning to get into the story but so glad I stuck with it. A really excellent read. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/books-for-the-1012-reader#post-508 Tue, 03 Aug 2010 10:55:19 +0000 Ck 508@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>I don't know if anybody has any interest in this topic but thought I'd stick it up anyway. I've a massive interest in children's literature and would read an equal amount of children/adult novels. Here is a list of some of the books I have read this year that I would highly recommend:</p> <p>1. Inkheart</p> <p>2. Inkspell</p> <p>3. Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke – a trilogy: wonderfully magical stories with superb references to the wealth of fabulous literature produced past and present.</p> <p>4. The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke</p> <p>5. The Coram Boy by Jamila Gavin (Perhaps 12+)</p> <p>6. See No Evil by Jamila Gavin (Perhaps 12+)</p> <p>7. Holes by Louis Sachar</p> <p>8. There’s a Boy in the Girls Bathroom by Louis Sachar</p> <p>9. Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo</p> <p>10. Skellig by David Almond</p> <p>11. Kit’s Wildreness by David Almond</p> <p>12. Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/twin#post-506 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:33:15 +0000 Deno 506@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>in the pared style similar to pers petterson-wonderful </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/summer-read-1#post-505 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:32:04 +0000 Deno 505@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Enjoying this recent book of Maggie´s-light but well written.A good Summer read </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/ghost-light#post-504 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:35:19 +0000 Bashert 504@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Just started this fantastic book ... I find myself re-reading paragraphs just for the sheer beauty of the writing.<br /> Anyone else reading it? </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/the-author-margaret-atwood#post-502 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 09:16:25 +0000 Ck 502@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>I just wondered what others thought of the author Margaret Atwood? I absolutely loved 'The Blind Assassin'. I read it a few years ago and always meant to read more by her. I've recently been reading 'The Handmaid's Tale', which I enjoyed, and I've also read 'Oryx and Crake', which I found hard to put down once I had started. </p> <p>I've lined up 'Cat's Eye' and 'Lady Oracle' to read over the Summer. I hope I will enjoy them as much as the ones previously read. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/the-hopeless-life-of-charlie-summers#post-501 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:57:04 +0000 Bashert 501@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Just finished The Hopeless Life of Charlie Summers &amp; I thoroughly enjoyed it. Wonder if anyone else has read it and any opinions? </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/catch-22-joseph-heller#post-498 Thu, 20 May 2010 21:06:34 +0000 Ck 498@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Am reading and enjoying Catch 22 by Heller. Anyone else have any thoughts on same? My progress is slow as initially I had to keep rereading sections to try and remember who was who. Now that that has finally been established I have picked up the pace and am thoroughly enjoying the wicked sense of humour. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/lean-on-pete#post-490 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:16:02 +0000 Bashert 490@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>I ordered this book from Amazon after hearing a favourable review of it on John Kelly's programme.<br /> It is a superb book and a really lovely read. It's the story of a 15yr old boy who forms a friendship with a horse as he tries to make his way across US to find the only person in his life who ever showed him any real love. Willie Vlautin is new to me but I will be back on Amazon to locate more of his writing.<br /> Anyone else read this book? </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/the-secret-by-rhonda-byrne#post-493 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:33:39 +0000 Ck 493@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>I've just finished this book. Surprisingly I hadn't heard about it at all until last week when someone loaned me a copy and recommended it as an enlightening read. I was told that it had been a massive phenomena when it was first released. I'd love to hear from anyone who may have read it and what they thought. I guess it is essentially about the power of positive thinking. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/stone-angel#post-492 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:15:48 +0000 Deno 492@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>anyone read this book?opinions ? </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/bedtime-read#post-488 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 20:17:36 +0000 Deno 488@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Finally.....After a long drought a book I can´t wait to go to bed to read .Home by Marilynne Robinson is a book that you read slowly and savour.This is not a new book.It´s by the author of Gilead and should probably be read before or after it.It´s a sad and thought provoking book with characters you can empathize with(finally..)It reminds me a bit of Plainsong by Kent Haruf.Small town America with a prodigal son.Great sense of place.I´ll be reading all of Marilynne´s other novels... </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/an-inspirational-read#post-351 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:31:15 +0000 Ck 351@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>I have just finished 'Three Cups of Tea - One Man's mission to promote peace, one school at a time' by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin and I have to say it was a superb read. In brief it was about an American man's mission to promote peace in Pakistan through the education of children. It was an informative and inspirational read. </p> <p>Between 1993 and 2003 Greg Mortenson, the American man in question, built fifty-five schools in remote villages across the stark and beautiful landscape of Pakistan and Afghanistan, at the same time as the Taliban were coming to power. The journey was far from easy for Mortenson, who overcame massive obstacles along the way. From 2003 he has concentrated more of his efforts on Afghanistan. </p> <p>There will be a new book out shortly called - 'Stones into Schools - Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan', and I look forward to reading this when it is released. I have ordered the younger read version of Three Cups of Tea so that my children can read it. There are so many valuable lessons that one can learn from this book - but for me the one that tops the pole is - what a difference one person can make. I'd give this book a five-star rating. A truly wonderful story. I'm buying some copies to pass onto friends - i really feel that this story is one that should be shared! </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/madame-bovary#post-460 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:48:26 +0000 Deno 460@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Anyone read Mme Bovary? </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/i-know-this-much-is-true-by-wally-lamb#post-482 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:15:42 +0000 Ck 482@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>What an incredible book! Over 900 pages long - I don't think I've ever completed such a long novel - but it didn't seem that long once engrossed in it! In fact I wanted the story to keep unfolding! The story of Dominick Birdsey and his schizophrenic twin Thomas, is a story that I found compelling. The complex relationships that existed within the Birdsey family, and previous generations of the family, wove a tale so detailed, and allowed the jig-saw of their fragmented family history to be finally pieced together in the concluding chapters. Definitely gets a five star recommendation from me. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/the-other-hand-by-chris-cleave#post-432 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:24:26 +0000 Ck 432@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Have just read this book and would highly recommend it as a great read. This book made me think about refugees from different parts of the world, isolation and loneliness, relationships and sacrifice. I had total admiration for the main character 'Little Bee' to see the way in which she faced the challenges life doled out to her. This book is so well written and so compelling. I could hardly leave the book down once I had started. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/let-the-great-world-spin#post-392 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:01:25 +0000 Deno 392@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>I'm nearly finished Let the great world spin by Colm Mc Cann.It's set in New York in August 1974.The starting point of the story is the man on the wire.Phillipe Petit walked on a tightrope between the Twin Towers and the characters that we meet in the book are living their very different ,but overlapping lives in the busy world below the wire.It's a very engaging book -moving between first and third person narratives all the time.Each character we meet we become involved with immediately and they all have very redeeming personalities in spite of the less than pleasant lives that some of them lead.I can't wait to see how all the ends tie up.I hope it won't be too contrived but satisfying all the same. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/the-poisonwood-bible#post-474 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:26:44 +0000 Bashert 474@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Just finished reading "The Poisonwood Bible" and a thoroughly enjoyable read it was. What a sad and unfortunate continent Africa is, damned in both friends &amp; enemies. So many themes arise in this book, Religious bigotry, Colonialism, the clash of cultures, globalisation, sexism and abuse to name but a few. A very interesting read from an Irish point of view also given that our army had an involvement with the UN in the Congo and Katanga during the period that forms the setting for the early parts of this book. </p> <p>I have "The Lacuna" on my shelf since Xmas and having enjoyed The Poinsonwood Bible so much I am looking forward to getting started on it .... but first Captain Corelli has my attention!</p> <p>2010 reading wise is shaping up to be a terrific year ... every book I have read so far this year I have thoroughly enjoyed and that includes some I selected on the basis of Dine to Read posts. So thank you all &amp; happy reading. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/anyone-else-reading-the-millenium-triology-by-steig-larsson#post-290 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:55:29 +0000 Librarybod 290@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>I've just finished reading the 2nd book in the Millenium Triology, The Girl Who Played With Fire, and have pre-ordered the 3rd. Can't wait to read it!!! Has anyone else read them and what did you think? </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/heard-about-the-new-book-set-to-be-greater-than-angelas-ashes#post-475 Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:03:39 +0000 Tom 475@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>I don't know if anyone here has heard the hype yet about a book called RUN?? From the various newsaper reviews that i've read, the author is from Limerick and is pre-releasing books in Ireland at an earlier date in March, as opposed to the official release date of June. Intrigued by the reviews, I was elated to find B. Tilton on Twitter. Words cannot justify how great the front cover of this book is!!! If you're on Twitter, check it out. B. Tilton was kind enough to provide me with a link that directed me to the official web page of where RUN can be purchased and where there's a great synopsis: <a href="http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=1087" rel="nofollow">http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=1087</a><br /> I can't wait to read it and think that it's about time somebody wrote something that really does have a bit of everything in it! If Peter Sheridan has already requested a copy, Tilton's obviously done something right! </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/dine-to-read-events#post-468 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:10:22 +0000 James1986 468@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Hi guys,</p> <p>Just stumbled across this forum by chance.<br /> Can anyone tell me if the Dine to read events/dinners are still running - seems like a lovely idea &amp; would def like to get involved.</p> <p>Thanks<br /> James </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/guernica-by-dave-boling#post-385 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:56:42 +0000 Ck 385@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Just finished this fabulous book and would highly recommend it. The novel begins in 1893 and spans fifty years. It is based around the historical event of the Spanish Civil War and shows how regular townsfolk coped with the tragic events that interrupted their every day living. My favourite character was Justo - head of the family, a formidable yet tender romantic. I thought it a wonderful book. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/the-visible-world#post-463 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:28:42 +0000 Bashert 463@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Just finished this riveting read ... so good I read it over the weekend.<br /> A beautifully written and engrossing story moving between wartime Prague and the US 40yrs later it is a story of love, loss and secrets reaching down through the generations and distorting relationships. Terribly sad but I absolutely loved it and am tempted to begin it again.<br /> Would love to hear the views of other readers. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/most-dissapointing-reads-of-2009#post-436 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:48:29 +0000 Claire 436@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>To follow on from the other thread...</p> <p>Netherland by Joesph O'Neill- I just didn't get it at all<br /> Brooklyn by Colm Toibin- Well written but ultimately unsatisfying<br /> Trauma by Patrick McGrath - hated main character</p> <p>Ok - so by my own reckoning, award winning fiction by Irish writers set in New York is to be avoided.<br /> I won't be trying 'Let the world spin' anytime soon!!! </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/wolf-hall#post-462 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:20:48 +0000 Bookbug 462@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>I got about 150 pages into Wolf Hall before thinking that Life was too short. I have an interest in Tudor England so I just can't understand how I found this book so (dare I say it?) boring and tedious. Did anyone else read and enjoy it? What did you like about it? </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies#post-457 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:38:14 +0000 Col 457@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>There will be a lot of fuss about this book in the next year, if the proposed movie starring Natalie Portman gets made, but I would really advise everyone to give it a big miss. Having read it I still can't work out who the author was aiming for. The zombies only make fleeting appearances, and the bulk of the book remains about the will they/won't they relationship between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy (and personally I hate both characters, and don't give a damn). It is not something that would appeal to your average horror/zombie fan. As for the fans of romance and the works of Jane Austen, well they should obviously stick to the original. In the end we are left with a one-joke book, with the joke being used up in the title of the book.</p> <p>Seth Graham-Smith obviously couldn't be bothered with a major rewrite and so just shoe-horned his zombie passages in to the original text. As a result, after a vicious battle and the deaths of loved ones at the hands of the undead, the protagonists would simply say 'let us never speak of this again' and continue their ordinary lives, discussing who was going to marry which officer next. </p> http://dinetoread.ie/forums/topic/dave-boling-is-a-member-of-dine-to-read#post-449 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:06:30 +0000 Claire 449@http://dinetoread.ie/forums/ <p>Sorry, it's a bit childish but I got quite a thrill to see that Dave Boling replied to us!Looked back on my post on Guernica and felt quite bad that I'd slagged off the ending! </p>