What are you reading?

Tanzanite · Post by **Tanzanite** » Tue October 21st, 2008, 11:13 pm

Something totally different for me - Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors

cw gortner · Post by **cw gortner** » Tue October 21st, 2008, 11:30 pm

MISTRESS OF THE REVOLUTION by Catherine Delors. I started it this weekend and I'm almost done. I'm loving it; the way she shows the limited options available to women like her heroine, Gabrielle, is masterful. And Marie Antoinette is depicted with more realism than I'm used to; no misunderstood, poor deluded queen here. She's a snob and she's crafty. Great fun, even if the epoch itself is tragic.

EC2 · Post by **EC2** » Tue October 21st, 2008, 11:30 pm

[quote=""Tanzanite""]Something totally different for me - Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors[/quote]

I was a bit ho-hum about that one. Much preferred The Far Pavilions for 'a flavour of India.' It has been very well received though.

cw gortner · Post by **cw gortner** » Tue October 21st, 2008, 11:40 pm

John Shors is a master marketer. When the hardcover came out, he said he'd speak to book groups all over the world via speaker phone and he did. He ended up selling so many copies that Penguin took him on for the paperback and his next book(s). I haven't read his work yet but I admire his tenacity.

And he sent no pushy spam-mails, either!

EC2 · Post by **EC2** » Tue October 21st, 2008, 11:44 pm

[quote=""cw gortner""]John Shors is a master marketer. When the hardcover came out, he said he'd speak to book groups all over the world via speaker phone and he did. He ended up selling so many copies that Penguin took him on for the paperback and his next book(s). I haven't read his work yet but I admire his tenacity.

And he sent no pushy spam-mails, either![/quote]

He's a really nice, genuine guy too. I wish I was more keen on the book! I didn't hate it by any manner of means but it didn't fire me up like TFP did. I suppose the latter is the benchmark for that kind of novel.
A very good reading buddy of mine has really, really enjoyed the next one, so I'll likely give it a try. I'm not totally put off or anything.

cw gortner · Post by **cw gortner** » Tue October 21st, 2008, 11:55 pm

[quote=""EC2""]It didn't fire me up like TFP did. I suppose the latter is the benchmark for that kind of novel. [/quote]

Nothing can compare to The Far Pavilions, I think. It's a classic, much like Gone With the Wind. It can't be surpassed; it might become dated, less PC, etc. but nothing can tarnish its luster. I read TFP years ago and still remember to this day how moved I was.

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Wed October 22nd, 2008, 12:13 am

[quote=""cw gortner""]John Shors is a master marketer. When the hardcover came out, he said he'd speak to book groups all over the world via speaker phone and he did. ![/quote]

He spoke at our group and was very interesting. I didn't happen to care for the writing in the book, but I certainly enjoyed listening to him speak about it. I was surprised how little is known about the building of the Taj Mahal, so what he was able to put together was impressive.

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Wed October 22nd, 2008, 12:15 am

[quote=""cw gortner""]Nothing can compare to The Far Pavilions, I think. It's a classic, much like Gone With the Wind. It can't be surpassed; it might become dated, less PC, etc. but nothing can tarnish its luster. I read TFP years ago and still remember to this day how moved I was.[/quote]

I re-read it a few years ago, its not dated, and if you remember the era in which it takes place, being PC is beside the point. You are right,its a classic. I have Olivia and Jai on my bookshelf and have been told its similar in scope. But I somehow don't think it will affect me the same way.

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Wed October 22nd, 2008, 12:16 am

[quote=""EC2""]He's a really nice, genuine guy too. [/quote]

No question - genuine is a good way to describe him, very sincere. I also want to try the next one.

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Wed October 22nd, 2008, 12:23 am

[quote=""Ash""]I re-read it a few years ago, its not dated, and if you remember the era in which it takes place, being PC is beside the point. You are right,its a classic. I have Olivia and Jai on my bookshelf and have been told its similar in scope. But I somehow don't think it will affect me the same way.[/quote]

I reread TFP a couple of years ago as well. Just wow. The emotions Kaye can bring out just in Ash and Juli being in a room together is just awesome. And the bit with Juli going to suttee -- damn near unputdownable. Olivia and Jai is very very good but I would not compare it to TFP.

As for beneath a Marble Sky I wall banged it around page 100 (and very glad I picked it up at Costco instead of full retail

).