What book have you been disappointed in recently? What book has surprised you?

[Flaxbee]

I was really looking forward to reading "The Mermaid Chair" by Sue Monk Kidd because I had enjoyed "The Secret Life of Bees" (same author) so much. "The Mermaid Chair" was just a dud - I kept hoping it would improve, and while I liked the description of the (fictional) coastal South Carolina town, that was about it. Overly descriptive, and just overall seemed to be a 'forced' book - trying to be profound or affecting, when it really was all very silly. I understand the premise and found it interesting (a woman in her 40s tries to figure out how to reclaim her life after her child moves out of the house; also tried to confront her issues with her father's death) but the execution/discussion of those issues in the book failed, IMO.

But I've enjoyed, much more than I thought I would, Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" - very interested and informative look at the way Americans eat - Kingsolver and her family move to a farm and make an effort to 'eat locally' for a year by raising their own food, buying from local farmers, and eating only what is in season.

Anyone want to chime in with their choices? :hi:

[Flaxbee]

1. anyone? no one?

:shrug:

[Parche]

2. Hey Flaxee

:hi:

[peacefreak]

3. Almost Moon by Alice Seybold

really disappointed me. I had read the Advance of Lovely Bones & it raised goosebumps. It was unlike anything I had read. I've got access to alot of fiction & always am looking for something that hasn't been done before. So, I had high hopes for Almost Moon.
Another author that raised my hopes is Mary Doria Russell. Her first was The Sparrow--colonization of Mars by Jesuits & others. Intense & beautifully written. It is still one of my favorite books. Her new one (due out in Spring) is Dreamers of the Day. It takes place in the early 20's at the Cairo Conference & includes Lawrence of Arabia, Gertrude Bell & a young Winston Churchill. Some cast of characters, huh?

[TCJ70]

4. The Stand - disappointed...The Shining/Salem's Lot - Excellent

I decided to finally read it. Heard some good things about it. When I finished it I just felt like there was no real resolution, like something was missing. I didn't like it.

The Shining and Salem's Lot were both EXCELLENT reads though. I'd read them again in no time!