hh_clubs | Restricted Section: Term XXVI

Activity: Read, Reading, To Read
Points: 10 points for your initial comment, 2 points for every substantial response, max 30 points
Deadline: August 30 @ 11:59PM UTC (Timezone Converter)

Details: Since this will be my only activity of Term XXVI, I wanted to both do something relatively simple AND take the opportunity to get to know you guy, so we're going to have a discussion post about our recent reading habits. For your initial comment, write at least 150 words talking about books you've recently read, are currently reading, and/or what you plan to read next. You can talk about any aspect of the books you wish, but some ideas would be why you selected the books, what you liked/didn't like about them, whether you'd recommend them to others, etc. For your responses, you'll need to write at least 50 words. Make sure you're saying something more than, "I read that book and liked/hated it!" Try to open a dialogue about what was good or bad, or even why you chose NOT to read it. Anything goes, as long as there's substance to it.

If you have any questions, direct them to the appropriate thread. As always, don't forget to sign each comment with your name/house or a sigtag.

Also, do remember that I wiped the roster clean, so if you have bonus items, make sure you register them HERE as soon as possible to earn your extra points. I won't be giving grace periods, so please double-check that you're good to go!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm a rather eclectic reader, but generally my favorite genres are historical fiction and the personal memoir. So to bring receipts on the eclectic, here are the things I've read in the past month (with some thoughts) followed by the things that are in various states of being read.

Things I Finished in August

Dewey (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3257136-dewey) - This one was bad. It was horribly twee and very repetitive. Really I only read it because we in the lab have a silly thing at work where we will gift each other the ridiculous things people leave on the freebee table and I was gifted this book.

David Copperfield (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58696.David_Copperfield) - It comes up all the time, but I love Victorians and the Victorian era, so David Copperfield fits right into that. I find that I always have to remind myself when I read Dickens, that he isn't being predictable, he just started a lot of the plot twists that have now become cliche. Also, Dora annoyed me greatly, but then she was supposed to.

Cast Member Confidential (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6936341-cast-member-confidential) - A personal memoir of someone who worked back stage at Disney World. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed this book more or less if I was more of a fan of Disney World, but it was definitely interesting. And who doesn't like a good tale about the seedy underbelly of something pristine.

A Night Like This (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12731293-a-night-like-this) - We've had various discussions around chat about the preference for ebooks or physical books and this is the perfect example of on of my loves of ebooks. I officially don't read Romance Novels. If you asked the majority of people who know me they would tell you that I would never read something so frivolous. But really, I LOVE regency romances, particularly if they involve the plot cliches endemic to fanfic. Reading on the ipad, no one at all has to know what I am reading because the cover doesn't show. Also, who names their dashing hero Smith-Smyth?

Sex and Punishment: Four Thousand Years of Judging Desire (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13235790-sex-and-punishment) - Nicely informative book on the laws governing Sex in the Western World (with some stops in Egypt/Mesopotamia for the precedents). There is nothing like being able to tell your co-workers that Graham Crackers were developed as an anti-masturbation aide.

Things I am in the Various States of Reading

Running Through Corridors (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8509434-running-through-corridors-volume-1) - A positive exploration of all the 60s episodes of Doctor Who (so covering the first and second doctors). I've made it through the First Doctor, who's era I love and am currently bogged down in the Second Doctor's era which I am less fond of. But regardless, the opinions of the two authors are always interesting, particularly the degree that they read into everything.

Shirley Jones: a memoir (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17864514-shirley-jones?from_search=true) - Yup, all about the memoirs. I'm particularly excited to hear about her Broadway career, but there is also plenty of television and movie stuff, as well of the promise that she wont seem so innocent by the end. Who doesn't love some not involving me drama?

Playing Well With Others (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14944563-playing-well-with-others?from_search=true) - A guide to etiquette in the kink community (particularly BDSM, but also some swingers and general leather groups). Interesting, though I'm not sure I'm into the writers' tone, I'm not sure why.
The Silent Governess (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6624391-the-silent-governess) - My next up: Historical fiction with more Victorians (I told you I love Victorians). I somehow missed that this was Christian Fiction when I bought it (though I should have been tipped off by it winning a Christy Award -- I love Christy) but that isn't really a deal breaker.

Edited 2013-08-29 01:01 (UTC)

I recently read Cast Member Confidential too! I can tell you as a major Disney fan that it didn't make it any more interesting. I mean, it was interesting to learn some of the behind the scenes stuff, but the author just seemed so cynical and grumpy that I didn't care for him.

AND YESSSSS THE SEX AND PUNISHMENT BOOK. I've been reccing it all over. XD It was definitely an interesting read.

Liz | Gryffindor

Restricted Section: Term XXVI - Read, Reading, To Read

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