I just started reading The Hunger Games a few days ago. I'd heard so much about them on here that I decided to borrow them from the library.

So far, I really like them (I'm about to start Mockingjay). It's hard for anything Fantasy to get me excited because nothing can ever be as good as CoN or LotR but The Hunger Games comes close. It has a good plot, nice plot twists, and well-developed characters in my opinion. And I can't guess the ending. I mean, I'm sure everything ends up happily ever after (Suzanne Collins wouldn't be selling books if it didn't) but I'm not sure how the ending is going to come about. At this point, it could be anything! And I'm not sure who

Anyway, I'm looking forward to finishing the series.

I'm currently reading "The Count of Monte Cristo" for the first time I'm a bit less than half way through it but so far I'm really enjoying it I've heard about it for years but never gotten around to actually reading it. With the 10% off with the Book Depositary I got an order of books In fact I treated my whole family to a book each. Anyway I should have a few books to comment on here in the next couple of weeks or so

What fun! The Count of Monte Cristo is one of my favourite novels, although it's been a couple of years now since I read it. I liked many of the themes included in the book.

I *think* that I have a lot to say on this post.
I liked all your reviews, Queen Susan, those are all excellent books!! I've read Fairest many times, and it's a little weird, but I still like it. I do really, really like Attolia, I just recently started to read them, and I've only read The King and Conspiracy, once. I really need to get the former from the library . .
And I have to admit, though it depresses me, and leaves me feeling unhappy, I really, really like Rebecca. It's written so well, and I love the characters. I suppose, that technically, what you said in spoilers is correct, but even in real life, I don't think I could agree.

I'm currently reading "The Count of Monte Cristo" for the first time I'm a bit less than half way through it but so far I'm really enjoying it I've heard about it for years but never gotten around to actually reading it. With the 10% off with the Book Depositary I got an order of books In fact I treated my whole family to a book each. Anyway I should have a few books to comment on here in the next couple of weeks or so

Ooh, that's exciting! I can't wait to hear what you have to say about it, when you finish; it's such an excellent book!

Out of curiosity, what were the other two you read, Elanor? I wouldn't say The Bell at Sealey Head is necessarily her best. It's ONE of her best, however, and certainly her most accessible. I also love the Riddle-Master trilogy and Winter Rose. Alphabet of Thorn, Ombria in Shadow, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, and The Bards of Bone Plain are some of her other above-average books.

Oh goodness; you mean I'm supposed to remember? In the Forests of Serre, and . .something about a tower, or two? lol . .

Cons: Basically the same as in The Thief.

How so? I think it unfolds very differently, but I guess maybe, if I squint, I can see the resemblance.

*refrains from commenting on Rebecca as most of the plot details have slipped out of her sieve-like memory*

Speaking of my memory, now that lys mentions it, I might remember the passing comment oh so long ago. Not that it matters, since I wasn't hanging around the library website, waiting to get my grubby little hands on the book as soon as possible. Given that lys also gives Bard of Bone Plain a positive review, I suppose I should trot off to the library and see what I can see...

I'm currently reading Eric Metaxas' book on Deitrich Bonhoeffer, and I keep imagining the guy from the Radio Theatre production narrating. I think I need to find a book by him where I don't have another point of reference for the subject!

^Mel: Perhaps you read it wrong? ... I wasn't really talking about the plot... (and where in the world is that whistlingquestionmarksmiley when I need it?)

And I have to admit, though it depresses me, and leaves me feeling unhappy, I really, really like Rebecca. It's written so well, and I love the characters. I suppose, that technically, what you said in spoilers is correct, but even in real life, I don't think I could agree.

I'm terribly sorry, really! ... At least somewhat.
I really enjoyed *reading the book, it was extremely interesting and well written, yes. (I absolutely loved some of the word pictures. And some of her descriptions I read and thought, "No one has ever explained this feeling so well before! Ahhhh! This happens to me all the time and now it's put into words!!"
So I really liked parts it.
But... but... but... *sigh*

Spoiler

It was murder. It really was. I can't see any other way around it. It was not self defense. And even if Rebecca was a horrid awful person-- it wasn't in his jurisdiction to deal out punishment.

Perhaps you read it wrong? ...

I bet I did. Okay. Now I'm a lot less confused. Also, I like the idea of hugging a plot and pronouncing it a friend.

I recently finished reading The Thief, which everyone on here has raved about for time immemorial. Several recommended it to me, and I thank all of ya' because I very much enjoyed the book.

Turner's prose is elegant, interesting, and wonderfully descriptive and where few authors could successfully carry on a book for 2/3rds of its length describing a dusty road trip and the few characters' interactions over that time, Turner does magnificently well in keeping me interested and turning pages. I found the character of Gen to be a real annoyance for the first portion of the book but then something happened which sort of opened my eyes. Specifically:

The ending sort of made me do a double take and then a triple take...at first I didn't realize what was happening but when I finally did I was rather amazed. I've already started reading The Queen of Attolia (which is surprisingly dark in comparison to the first one), and my wife is now starting The Thief, so Turner may have picked up two new fans .

But I really *did* like parts of it. A lot. I just can't hug the plot and pronounce it my friend.

I completely agree; I think it's a thrilling book that's written very well, but . . it disturbs me, and yes, the plot is rather horrible. Agreed.
Yay, a new Turner reader! I love those books . .

I just finished A Portrait of a Lady. Goodness. I absolutely loved the first half, because . . . it's unlike any book I've ever read. All of the characters are realistic; they have bad and they have good, and they're not just one or the other. I've never read a book like that, and it stuns me. To actually have it be a matter of taste who you like.
And then the second half was the most depressing, awful thing ever. Everything went wrong. The only characters I completely liked all through the book, were Ralph Touchett (oh, I loved him so much . . made me sob in the end), and maybe Mr. Touchett. That's all. And I did have a turn around about some of my opinions. I disliked Mr. Osmond from the very first, and I got SO mad when I found out
And now I'll stop ranting. What a miserable, well written book!

I just read the Eagle of the Ninth. It was excellent! A very exciting story. I love Ancient Rome, so I really got into it. I 'm going to check out the sequel and take a look at the film when it comes out on DVD.

Question: How do you think literature has changed in the past 30-40 years? What do modern readers like in their stories? I'm talking about plot/characters/writing style.

I think modern readers really enjoy characters who are shades of grey (not comepletly bad or good) and who develop and mature. Some may think that this has always been the case but I find that in the past, readers were more focused on the plot rather than the characters. It wasn't always the case, but I think there has been a great shift in last century, and especially the last few decades, to a greater focus on the characters. What do you think?
What other trends do you see in modern fiction?

I just finished A Portrait of a Lady. Goodness. I absolutely loved the first half, because . . . it's unlike any book I've ever read.

Interesting that you should mention that book... a very long time ago I saw a film adaptation of it, and once or twice since then I have wondered what the original book would be like. Who wrote it? Is there anything about it distasteful content wise? I seem to recall that someone else made another movie of the same name and it looked to be not something good, so I've since then wondered if the book was the same, or whether it was just that particular film adaptation. Thanks for your help!

Elanor and Forever Fan, I've finished The Count of Monte Cristo and I really enjoyed it However, I'm going to re-read the ending again as I was in a hurry and didn't really take it in.

major spoilers below

Having said all that though I really enjoyed the book - it was so much better than The Three Musketeers and the Man in the Iron Mask, neither of which were my cup of tea. I can see why people would really like it It has a really detailed plot and the characters are great - overall very well written indeed.

Anyway just my two cents worth

Does this make me President of the Honorable Society of Patricia McKillip Junkies?

I will be Secretary . I had The Bards of Bone Plain on my wishlist before it came out.

But maybe I can't be Secretary after all. I haven't read it yet

And I have to admit, though it depresses me, and leaves me feeling unhappy, I really, really like Rebecca. It's written so well, and I love the characters.

Rebecca is one of my favorites! So gorgeously written, so moody and Gothic. It's a direct descendant of Jane Eyre too, if you think about it.

I was really impressed with Anna Massey's narration of the audiobook version. If you can ever get your hands on it, do!

I recently finished reading The Thief, which everyone on here has raved about for time immemorial.

Yesssssss! You must have known I was going to pop my head back in, eh? So glad you are enjoying the series! They are all brilliant, but The Queen of Attolia is my favorite. Such amazing character development, and so many things underneath the spare prose. I pick up new clues every time I reread. I need to reread A Conspiracy of Kings; I've only read it once.

I've been reading tons of good books lately. A couple highlights are:

• The Wind in the Willows (review here): Such a fun book, and I was amazed how much it influenced Lewis's style. A few days after writing that review, I stumbled on a poem by Lewis in which he names some of Willows's characters

• Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist by John Piper (review here): Piper's creed, sparked by a passage in Lewis's "The Weight of Glory," of why it is commanded that we seek our joy in God. Excellent!

• Clouds of Witness by Dorothy Sayers (review here): Another good one from the Doyenne of the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.

• The Host by Stephenie Meyer (review here): Better than I was expecting.

And a bunch more, of course!

Some catch-up!

Thanks for the attempt at describing Dombey and Son, Elanor! It does sound interesting---I'll have to read it sometime.

Bella! You're never supposed to read the backs of books before you read the beginnings. Did you like The Man Who Was Thursday, though?

I'm glad you liked TKAM, flam! It certainly wasn't at all what I was expecting when I read it first, either, but I also thought it was really good. I reread it just recently, actually.
How are you liking JS&MN so far (unless you're done already!)?

You should read TMWWT, Ruby! I'm sure the library has it, or you can borrow it from your sister. If not, I have a copy (with a weird cover) that I'd be more than happy to lend you.
Ooh! Have you finished the rewrite for creative writing? East of the Sun, West of the Moon is such a good story---have you read any retellings of it?

Overall, I'm glad you did like McKillip, Adeona! I'm happy that you liked her from the first book, too.

I think I've bought a few books recently, Fanny, but apparently none so good or exciting that I remember them to post about.

Yeah, I found Fairest to be a bit odd, but a fun read, too, Queen Susan.
I somehow almost always forget about the language in the Attolian series until I'm actually reading it. I'm glad you enjoyed you reread regardless, though!

Lucky you, lys! I probably shan't run across the new McKillip for some time, so I shall remain relatively unenlightened for now. I'm hoping to read some more McKillip before the summer ends, though...

Glad you're enjoying The Hunger Games, narnian_at_heart! Are you done with Mockingjay now?

Hurrah, SL! I'm so happy you liked The Thief! I hope you (and your wife!) enjoy the other books too.

I'm not particularly well-versed enough to give a good answer, Valiant, but I do think that a lot of books today are more character-driven than plot-driven. Then again, I think there are a number of books that are all about the thrill of action or romance and don't care about characters at all.

So glad you liked The Wind in the Willows, ww! I read it for the first time a couple of years ago and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I love the overall story, but the "Dulce Domum", "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn", and "Wayfarers All" chapters are my favourite (I wrote that down, otherwise I wouldn't remember which ones they were precisely ).

I recently reread To Kill a Mockingbird and Persuasion. I enjoyed them both thoroughly. One question, though about Persusasion:
I also read Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit lately---typical hilarious Wodehouse!

I'm finally reading a Sayers again (been a year or two since the last one...two, I believe)---The Five Red Herrings. I'm not very far, but so far I'm a bit disgruntled. Sayers doesn't say what the extremely important item Wimsey is looking for is, on the grounds that any intelligent reader will figure it out. Well, maybe so, but perhaps not one who has no clue about painting and is also trying to eat lunch and keep an eye on the time and ignore the mounds of drawings that need to be fixed and calculations run! I'm sure I'll be less cross soon, though, and back to enjoying Lord Peter.

Valia, in regards to your Persuasion spoiler...

I just finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird for my school, for the very first time! I liked it; it left me very thoughtful, and kind of depressed me. But I love, love, love the concept (mockingbird . . ). I knew what it was about, from watching the movie, but I think I enjoyed it more, because the movie always traumatizes me.

Interesting that you should mention that book... a very long time ago I saw a film adaptation of it, and once or twice since then I have wondered what the original book would be like. Who wrote it? Is there anything about it distasteful content wise?

I'm not sure I want to see a movie of it . . it might be even more depressing. Henry James wrote it, and I don't think there was anything objectionable in it. At one point, it is mentioned that a certain person was born out of wedlock, but other than that . . I guess I'm glad I read it; because really, I loved the first half, and the writing is so unique and realistic. I want to read another book like it, except with a happy, or at least resolved, ending.

Elanor and Forever Fan, I've finished The Count of Monte Cristo and I really enjoyed it However, I'm going to re-read the ending again as I was in a hurry and didn't really take it in.

I'm so glad you liked it!! I don't remember it perfectly, but, responding to your spoiler, Contradictions?
@wisewomans spoiler about Rebecca . .

Thanks for the attempt at describing Dombey and Son, Elanor! It does sound interesting---I'll have to read it sometime.

No problem; I wish I could have done it better . .