book doesn't grab me ... is that happen to every one too ?

[raven312]

I enjoyed Wicked for the first half or so... after awhile, I got tired of the politics (it is a political book) and put it down.  I still haven't finished it.  I loaned it to someone and it took them 2 months to return it.  I didn't ask, but I suspect she didn't finish it and just gave it back because she'd had it so long.

[Neekeebee]

I brought Wicked on a trip to Chicago because we were seeing the musical on the same trip.  It's one of those books I wanted to quit reading about 50 pages in but kept thinking it had to get better, so I just kept reading to the end.  Also because that was in my pre-Kindle days.  I didn't have any other books with me!

N

[mtcoco]

Hello!   I took everyone advice and I put the "Joy luck club" on side and read to find some other book on Big snow storm day in VA
 early Saturday morning 5 am I woke up with big bamboo snapping out side of house noise and woke up... noticed no power in a house...
 
   My cozy fire place and coffee with new book on hand "snow storm weekend" end up changed location to Comfort inn near by house for 4 full days!!!     

     but I found the " the Help"  by Kathryn Stockett and I've been turning pages all day and all night.....
I've never read about southern history book ... (watched "color purple" movie.. long time ago when I was growing up in Japan..)
so very happy that I finally got book that keep grabbing me 

  I'm finally home and happy reading again in my cozy house! 
thank you.

mtcoco

   

[MariaESchneider]

Glad you're back home safe and sound.  That storm has disrupted a lot of people!!!  Also glad you're back on track with reading material. Hope it stays that way!

Maria

[MichelleR]

I loved Joy Luck Club. I haven't reread it or seen the movie since my mother passed away, and imagine I'll be a mess.

I've given up on Wicked, but love the soundtrack.  I remember trying to explain the book to a co-worker -- how the story is different from The Wizard of Oz.  I explained that stories are subjective and you could think of L. Frank Baum as a Dorothy apologist () and that every character in a story has their own perspective and that even readers can have sympathy for someone the writer had never intended to be sympathetic.

[Kristan Hoffman]

Joy Luck Club makes me cry (multiple times) every single time I watch. (The book takes longer so I've only read it twice, hehe.)

Kristan

[mtcoco]

Joy Luck Club is what put Amy Tan on the map, but I prefer a couple of her others (Hundred Secret Senses, which was already mentioned, and Bonesetter's Daughter) much more.

And omg Neekeebee, THANK YOU for saying you liked Snow Flower but not Peony. Lisa See came to Cincinnati a couple years ago and I'd heard so many great things about Snow Flower that I wanted to go see her. But she was promoting and reading from Peony, so I ended up reading that one instead. And I... really didn't care for it. I felt awful about that, because SHE is LOVELY (very warm, welcoming, charming, etc.). Perhaps I'll give Snow Flower a chance after all.

For the record, Jamie Ford (author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet) is also very wonderful in person.

Another Asian-culture-focused author I recommend is Jhumpa Lahiri, although her stories revolve around Southeast Asian vs. East Asian culture (just for clarification).

Kristan

Hi Kristan.. I envy you that you met Jamie Ford!!!     He came to near my house  borders few months before I read his book and I was soo sad that missed him.
 I really love that book and so far.... The hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet is the few of best books I read in 2009!!
 As Japanese citizen grow up in Japan... we didn't learn that much about that Japanese immigrants history  and Okinawa (where I"m from in Japan) had more influence from China ) so a lots of Chaises cultural stuff was remind me at home too.
 so it was very interested to me.
 I was so sad to finishing that book... and after that book... I had very hard time to find next book to read.... few days I had hard time .

[Kristan Hoffman]

mtcoco-

Oh wow. After your glowing words about House on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, I think I must read it sooner. I bought it when I met Jamie Ford and had him sign it, but I was in the middle of a couple other books so I haven't read it yet. I will push it up on my list now!

Kristan

[LCEvans]

I read Joy Luck Club years ago and loved it and also loved the movie. But if I don't like a book, I give it up without finishing. So many books. So little time.

[Leslie]

 I was so sad to finishing that book... and after that book... I had very hard time to find next book to read.... few days I had hard time .

I call that feeling "the incredible sadness of a really good book." That let down you get when you read something really terrific and sort of feel like you'll never read a book that good ever again. Of course, I do find other great books but I completely understand that let down feeling.

L

[MLPMom]

I recently started the Leven Thumps series, I heard so many great reveiws on it I thought I would give it a try and I have to say I am more than half way through it and I still just can't get into it. I have no idea why it just isn't holding my interest at all. In fact I put it down twice now and started two whole other series.

[mtcoco]

I recently started the Leven Thumps series, I heard so many great reveiws on it I thought I would give it a try and I have to say I am more than half way through it and I still just can't get into it. I have no idea why it just isn't holding my interest at all. In fact I put it down twice now and started two whole other series.

  I was so happy to find out it was not just me... feel about some of books that everyone loves!!!   I deiced to watch movie first then try read again.. but not for awhile...
 
  Now I'm reading  "Help" and can't put book down!   very happy that I got over that and moved on...