October book
mabug01
Posts: 1,273 Member
This has been a challenging month to pick a book. The Language of Flowers has been suggested. Here is the synopsis:
"A mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, The Language of Flowers beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past.
The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it's been more useful in communicating grief, mistrust, and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings.
Now eighteen and emancipated from the system, Victoria has nowhere to go and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. Soon a local florist discovers her talents, and Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But a mysterious vendor at the flower market has her questioning what's been missing in her life, and when she's forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it's worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness."
This book was published in late 2011, so it may be available in the library.
Lenoresaari - do you want to check with the library before we pick this book?
If it's not readily available, we could go with an old standby - like a Nevada Barr book, Stephen King, a Harry Potter book, or even classics from Twain, ****ens, London or Longfellow.
Edited - the ****ens is the guy who wrote A Christmas Carol. I guess MFP thinks his given name is disgusting.
"A mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, The Language of Flowers beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past.
The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it's been more useful in communicating grief, mistrust, and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings.
Now eighteen and emancipated from the system, Victoria has nowhere to go and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. Soon a local florist discovers her talents, and Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But a mysterious vendor at the flower market has her questioning what's been missing in her life, and when she's forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it's worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness."
This book was published in late 2011, so it may be available in the library.
Lenoresaari - do you want to check with the library before we pick this book?
If it's not readily available, we could go with an old standby - like a Nevada Barr book, Stephen King, a Harry Potter book, or even classics from Twain, ****ens, London or Longfellow.
Edited - the ****ens is the guy who wrote A Christmas Carol. I guess MFP thinks his given name is disgusting.
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Replies
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Mary , I think this is your month and I like all your suggestions. Did you want to make a specific choice? We can vote.
The book I mentioned has been on many best seller lists. I got my copy from the library. It takes place in S.F. and the Bay Area, so that is fun for me. It really opened my eyes to the foster care system.
The Fall weather is wonderful. Hope you are enjoying it in your neck of the woods0 -
I will look for it; sounds good0
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The book sounds good - Language of Flowers. So, unless L can't find it, let's go with it.
I just finished the newest Kinsey Millhone book - W is for Wasted. I thinks it's a good one; the author's writing style has matured, or she has a better editor; I'm not sure which.0 -
I am not familiar with the author, Kinsey Millhone. I will look it up. Thanks Mabug.
Okay will wait to hear about the book. I did get my copy from the library. Not to give to much away but the Victoria Jones is breaking my heart.
Friend just loaned me And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini. Liked his other books, The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns. Am looking forward to reading it next.
Hope you are having a good weekend.0 -
The library will have it ready for me as soon as the copy arrives there in a few days./ The Language of Flowers.
I have read alot of the Kinsay Malhone books ; glad to hear the W one was a little better. I think they were getting redundant.0 -
Duh , I did not realize it was a Sue Grafton book you were talking about. I thought when I saw the title ...Oh, someone else is doing the alphabet thing. I have not read her books but members of my other
book club talk about her books.
Since you two seem to be mystery fans, have you ever heard of C.J. Box?0 -
I haven't heard of CJ Box. I try to read books where women are the heroes. But I do try to keep an open mind if a male is the hero and the book is really, really, good then I'll give it a try.
I hear you on the redundancy problem. That's why I stopped reading books about Stephanie Plum.0 -
Thats right its Sue Grafton. I have always read alot of mysteries and detective/ action books But I am really enjoying both of your choices. Its a change of pace for me and quite refreshing.0
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I started Language of Flowers yesterday and I can't put this book down. I'm about 1/3 through it. Great pick!0
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Loving this book. Just about finished.
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Ok I am just starting it this weekend0
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Ok done with the book in one day! You know its good when I read it that fast! I couldnt put it down.0
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Yeah, I loved this book! I'm looking at flowers in a whole new way. My daughter worked in a group home for about 2 months and she couldn't stomach it. The rules were too oppressive and the guy in charge made thinly veiled demeaning statements to the girls.
Let's begin thinking of ideas for November. I'm a bit confused - whose turn is it??
In the meantime, I'm reading A Moveable Feast. What are you reading now?0 -
It might be my turn but I will pass this time as I I am enjoying what you two have been choosing unless you want to go with one of mine which will probably be detective, adventure crime etc type since it seems to be all I have read due to my late mothers influence.0
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GOOD MORNING
Diamond Gals,
So glad this month's book was enjoyed by all. I need to work on my garden and the book has made me think differently about my choices. Victoria Jones has stayed with me for days.. It was quite a powerful story.
Hmmm- Moveable Feast were you inspired by The Paris Wife?
Since I selected last two books, it would be nice if one of you chose the next . It is great to get another point of view.
I just picked up two books from the library. The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri (she wrote Namesake) and The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro. Hope to start reading one of them today.0 -
Yes! I was inspired by The Paris Wife and Ernest's book has many familiar-sounding people and places. I find Hemingway's style tedious; I always preferred F. Scott Fitzgerald. The run-on sentences are a bit much, but I am determined to forge on.
I absolutely Love the " detective, adventure crime etc type " genre, so if you have something specific in mind, please share. I've heard this thriller is pretty good "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn. Also, I heard "The Light Between Oceans" by ML Stedman is pretty good, although this is not of that genre. We have 2 weeks to decide.
The Art Forger sounds so familiar, I wonder if it was made into a movie? Or I may have read it but I can't recall anything specific.0 -
You are a better gal (although a diamond)than I. I tried to get thru that Hemingway book and gave up. But I did rent a couple of movies to get the feel of the time.
Did you know that Paula McLain the author of the Paris Wife was raised in the Foster care system? I read her review of The Language of Flowers it was quite moving.
The two books you mentioned are awesome. I have read them both and would be happy to read them again. Gone Girl is more the mystery and made my hair stand on end. A real page turner!! I have been meaning to read more of her novels. The Light Between the Oceans presents a moral dilemma which has no good solution. I love books about Australia...visiting is on my bucket list.
I am going to have to check out if The Art Forger was a movie. The book is a novel written 25 years after a famous unsolved art heist.
Yes we have two weeks. I would encourage reading the Flynn and/or Stedman books.0 -
Hi,
Asked at my book club for suggestions for Mystery/Detective, Woman main characters and Woman authors.
Cara Black
Jacqueline Windspear
M.C.Beaton
were suggested.
I like Tana French in that genre.0 -
Lets just pick an author from that list; I dont want anyone to have to re read books here. Thats my input. Thanks for checking at your library for some recommendations.0
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Hi,
Hope the Diamond Gals are doing well. Are we going to do a November Read? M0 -
yes ummmmmmmmmm; is it my turn? I really am stumped for ideas0
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OK Agatha Raisin by MC Beaton; all agreed???0
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That book sounds good to me - Agatha Raisin by MC Beaton. It seems she has written 2 dozen Agatha Raisin books, so did you want to start with the first one - Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death? Almost all of her books got 4 stars on Good Reads. On this website: http://www.dreamworldbooks.com/2011/03/best-cozy-mystery-series.html I found a list of other authors in what this website calls the sub-genre of cozy mysteries. Tanya French seems a little more intense so perhaps she doesn't qualify as a cozy mystery writer, but I would like to try her out some day. Anyway, that's all for future reference. I'm all for Agatha, book number 1 or any other book about Agatha.
Just got to California and I'm still unloading my car. I've been sticking with The Moveable Feast and I'm glad I did because I've been intrigued with the chapters on Scott and Zelda. This book is like a chatty gossip column and doesn't seem to have a point to it, except random reminiscences.0 -
I am in!!! Amanda Raisin book #1 has been ordered from the library. I am looking forward to reading it.
Welcome home. Weather has been great!!0 -
Hey glad you made it back alright mabug. Ok the Quiche of Death sounds good.0
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Excellent! I will start a new topic soon. Yes, the weather in California is good (for California) but I sure miss those 80+ degree days in Florida. My feet are cold all the time now.0
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Agatha Raisin and the Death of Quiche ordered on this end of the continent too!0
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Definitely sock weather on the West side of the country. Had a big yard clean up today and so I am ready for rain.
Looked at this website cozy-reads.com. They even had a section called Holiday Mysteries. Something Mabug suggested.
Looking forward to meeting Agatha Raisin. 0 -
yes lets do holiday mysteries for December0
