*** Virtual Book Club Meeting ***

Lahtina · Foro Master

RE: *** Virtual Book Club Meeting ***

TV Buff · TOP Guru

Lahtina wrote:

Where can we get Spanish books around here?

Mexico. I can go get them for you. Gladly.

Laura Esquivel's style of writing sucks. I've never read anything by her, but I just felt like saying that, 'cause all of you in the book club (you know, us three members) are dissing Sandra. (Notice how we're on first-name basis now? She doesn't know. Don't tell her.)

Lahtina · Foro Master

TV Buff wrote:

Oh, you all, pretentious pricks... the book was good. Not all endings can be so peachy. I liked Sandra's style of writing, even though the whole story left me with a bad taste in my mouth. But hey, I knew it wouldn't be Cinderella. I just started reading the new Garcia Marquez (Memories of my Melancholy whores), but I made the mistake of getting it in English. There's a part where someone starts reading the Italica poem (which is one of my faves) and it just doesn't sound the same in English, so I stopped reading it and I'm gonna get it in Spanish. I've read Pedro Páramo, way back when, and I don't remember much about it. From what you said, Lahtina, it kinda reminds me of Canaima. Canaima is a very good book. My brother had to read it for school and I usually read everything that they had to, just for fun. I remember liking it very, very much. I don't think I've ever read Cortázar, and Cien Años de Soledad I liked, but I liked La Casa de los Espíritus better (I read them both around the same time). I highly recommend Doce Cuentos Peregrinos, again, by Garcia Marquez. Fun, fun book.

LMAO... well, this pretentious prick never said she didn't like it, I just didn't love it. Her writing style? Hmmmm. I didn't like it so much. As a reader, I felt very dumbed down by her style. Nevermind the unnecessary translations, there were also instances where she could have let the reader infer what was about to happen but oh, no! She had to jump in and kill it! She also went into giving the reader too much detail. Snore.

I haven't read Canaima. I just checked my ebooks and this blows! I have nothing by Rómulo Gallegos. I have read Doña Bárbara though, and I liked it a lot.

So I finished reading my 89 cent book, Swift as Desire. I liked it a lot more than I had expected. It's enjoyable but certainly not great. I love Laura Esquivel's style and I felt very identified with the main character. Thumbs up!

Where can we get Spanish books around here?

Gitana · Foro Master

TV Buff wrote:

Start posting your recommendations or let's start a new thread. Just don't listen to Chale and Lahtina 'cause they are very negative and are killing my reading mojo.

I'LL LEAVE THAT UP TO YOU BUFFY....

TV Buff · TOP Guru

Start posting your recommendations or let's start a new thread. Just don't listen to Chale and Lahtina 'cause they are very negative and are killing my reading mojo.

Gitana · Foro Master

OK NOW THAT WE ALL READ THIS BOOK... (SOME OF US)

WHAT'S THE NEXT BOOK???

angelita dulce · Foro Master

TV Buff wrote:

Oh, you all, pretentious pricks... the book was good. Not all endings can be so peachy. I liked Sandra's style of writing, even though the whole story left me with a bad taste in my mouth. But hey, I knew it wouldn't be Cinderella.

LOL!!! I did like the book, it was just a little disappointing in the end!! But like you said, not all books end so peachy!! LOL!!!

So what's the next book???? Can someone recommend me a good book?? Preferably a spanish author!

TV Buff · TOP Guru

Oh, you all, pretentious pricks... the book was good. Not all endings can be so peachy. I liked Sandra's style of writing, even though the whole story left me with a bad taste in my mouth. But hey, I knew it wouldn't be Cinderella.

I just started reading the new Garcia Marquez (Memories of my Melancholy whores), but I made the mistake of getting it in English. There's a part where someone starts reading the Italica poem (which is one of my faves) and it just doesn't sound the same in English, so I stopped reading it and I'm gonna get it in Spanish.

I've read Pedro Páramo, way back when, and I don't remember much about it. From what you said, Lahtina, it kinda reminds me of Canaima. Canaima is a very good book. My brother had to read it for school and I usually read everything that they had to, just for fun. I remember liking it very, very much. I don't think I've ever read Cortázar, and Cien Años de Soledad I liked, but I liked La Casa de los Espíritus better (I read them both around the same time). I highly recommend Doce Cuentos Peregrinos, again, by Garcia Marquez. Fun, fun book.

Lahtina · Foro Master

Chale wrote:

her whole book was annoying!The only part I liked was the begining.. when she was describing the father and political and social situation of the time. I thought it was going to be about the struggle of the salvadorean people, you know, the rising from ashes type story. But nope! It was just about having babies, holding grudges and a poor fool who will never find his penguin.What a waste of time. I should write her an email and demand some sort of compensation for being lead to persume that this would be an awesome book.

True. It's so hard picking a book. I just bought Swift as Desire by Laura Esquivel (Como agua para chocolate, lady). I hear it isn't that good but at least it was only 89 cents and it's not that long. I hate it when I don't have anything inspiring to read.

Have you read Cien años de soledad? I love that book. Now that is magical realism (my fave genre)! If you have and you liked it, I also recommend La increíble y triste historia de la Cándida Eréndira y de su abuela desalmada. It's a short read too. Actually a spin-off from A Hundred Years of Solitude - there's a brief mention of her in the book but her story is in this other one.

Chale · Guru

Lahtina wrote:

Oh, I forgot to mention that one of the things I didn't like about this book was the fact that whatever she kept in Spanish was immediately translated. Like Dora the Explorer. So, so annoying. Si vas a traducirlo de cualquier modo, para qué lo escribes en español para empezar? If you're going to translate it anyway, why write it in Spanish in the first place? (See what I mean about annoying?)

her whole book was annoying!

The only part I liked was the begining.. when she was describing the father and political and social situation of the time. I thought it was going to be about the struggle of the salvadorean people, you know, the rising from ashes type story. But nope! It was just about having babies, holding grudges and a poor fool who will never find his penguin.

What a waste of time. I should write her an email and demand some sort of compensation for being lead to persume that this would be an awesome book.

Lahtina · Foro Master

Oh, I forgot to mention that one of the things I didn't like about this book was the fact that whatever she kept in Spanish was immediately translated. Like Dora the Explorer. So, so annoying.

Si vas a traducirlo de cualquier modo, para qué lo escribes en español para empezar? If you're going to translate it anyway, why write it in Spanish in the first place? (See what I mean about annoying?)

Phantasma · TOP Guru

ooooh sarcasm... I see!

sorry, I am not very familiar with it,

Yes Mr Rulfo was brilliantly derranged. Thank God (RGNFG) my copy had footnotes otherwise I woulda understood even less

Lahtina · Foro Master

Phantasma wrote:

Lahtina wrote: Chale wrote: Im trying to start reading some Latin American authors, and need to start easy. Any suggestions? Easy?! Hmmmmmm. You know, a lot of these authors' writings are easy "apparently" (the use of language) but the stories are complex. Where are you from? It really makes the novel more enjoyable if you can relate to the context. I love my Mexican Juan Rulfo - Pedro Páramo. I've read that 3 times now and I discover new things every time. OMG Pedro Paramo is not easy to read... atleast not to me, I kept gettin lost cause he switches from one story line to another and you never know whats imaginary and whats real and there are people sleeping with their sisters and dead house keepers that are not dead.. good book, but I wouldnt say it was easy to read.

You know what... I tend to type and retype a lot. I thought that what I just highlighted made it clear that it wasn't an easy read but you're right, I didn't make it clear. So, yes, no... errrrrr.

Pedro Páramo is not at all easy. I barely got it by the third time I read it. Then it was soooooo clear. So clear that Juan Rulfo was a looney!

Nah, he was a great writer.

angelita dulce · Foro Master

Phantasma wrote:

I recommend this book, It really thought me a LOT

OMG....LMAO!!!! I still have those books. Mi tia me los mando del Salvador!!! LOL!!

-- Edited by angelita dulce at 12:16, 2006-01-23

Phantasma · TOP Guru

Chale wrote:

Phantasma wrote:
OMG Pedro Paramo is not easy to read... atleast not to me, I kept gettin lost cause he switches from one story line to another and you never know whats imaginary and whats real and there are people sleeping with their sisters and dead house keepers that are not dead.. good book, but I wouldnt say it was easy to read.
Ummmmm maybe I wont read that one then.... Think I need to start me off with some "Huevos verdes y jamon" en espanish

LOL... I recommend this book, It really thought me a LOT

Chale · Guru

Phantasma wrote:

OMG Pedro Paramo is not easy to read... atleast not to me, I kept gettin lost cause he switches from one story line to another and you never know whats imaginary and whats real and there are people sleeping with their sisters and dead house keepers that are not dead.. good book, but I wouldnt say it was easy to read.

Ummmmm maybe I wont read that one then....

Think I need to start me off with some "Huevos verdes y jamon" en espanish

Phantasma · TOP Guru

Lahtina wrote:

Chale wrote:
Im trying to start reading some Latin American authors, and need to start easy. Any suggestions?
Easy?! Hmmmmmm. You know, a lot of these authors' writings are easy "apparently" (the use of language) but the stories are complex. Where are you from? It really makes the novel more enjoyable if you can relate to the context. I love my Mexican Juan Rulfo - Pedro Páramo. I've read that 3 times now and I discover new things every time.

OMG Pedro Paramo is not easy to read... atleast not to me, I kept gettin lost cause he switches from one story line to another and you never know whats imaginary and whats real and there are people sleeping with their sisters and dead house keepers that are not dead.. good book, but I wouldnt say it was easy to read.

Chale · Guru

@ AD: See.... told ya! It sucks the big fat hairy man leg! What a waste of time that book was. Oh well

@ Lahtina: Girl thanks so much for those recommendations and your emails! I appreciate it!

Muchas gracias!

angelita dulce · Foro Master

Ok, so i finally finished the book and i was disappointed!! It wasn't all that bad, but it's the ending is what got to me. Besides disappointment, it brought back memories of my uncle and similar situations that happened in my family. My uncle was someone who was a target, but unfortunately not even his bodyguards were able to protect him the day he was shot and killed! As well as other situations with my other uncles! But thank goodness they are still ok. I had flashbacks of the guns they carried and stored at home!!

This book was great and i could compare to a lot of moments and ways of life to my family in Savli.

Lahtina · Foro Master

Well, I was just reading this from: Mujeres de Ojos Grandes by Angeles Mastretta. She's a Mexican author and a contemporary so... Seems good though.

La tía Leonor tenía el ombligo más perfecto que se haya visto. Un pequeño punto hundido justo en la mitad de su vientre planísimo. Tenía una espalda pecosa y unas caderas redondas y firmes, como los jarros en que tomaba agua cuando niña. Tenía los hombros suavemente alzados, caminaba despacio, como sobre un alambre. Quienes las vieron cuentan que sus piernas eran largas y doradas, que el vello de su pubis era un mechón rojizo y altanero, que fue imposible mirarle la cintura sin desearla entera.

A los diecisiete años se casó con la cabeza y con un hombre que era justo lo que una cabeza elige para cursar la vida. Alberto Palacios, notario riguroso y rico, le llevaba quince años, treinta centímetros y una proporcional dosis de experiencia. Había sido largamente novio de varias mujeres aburridas que terminaron por aburrirse más cuando descubrieron que el proyecto matrimonial del licenciado era a largo plazo.

El destino hizo que tía Leonor entrara una tarde la notaría, acompañando a su madre en el trámite de una herencia fácil que les resultaba complicadísima, porque el recién fallecido padre de la tía no había dejado que su mujer pensara ni media hora de vida. Todo hacía por ella menos ir al mercado y cocinar. Le contaba las noticias del periódico, le explicaba lo que debía pensar de ellas, le daba un gasto que siempre alcanzaba, no le pedía nunca cuentas y hasta cuando iban al cine le iba contando la película que ambos veían: «Te fijas, Luisita, este muchacho ya se enamoró de la señorita. Mira cómo se miran, ¿ves? Ya la quiere acariciar, ya la
acaricia. Ahora le va a pedir matrimonio y al rato seguro la va a estar abandonando.»

angelita dulce · Foro Master

Can you ladies please post any books you can recommend. I need a new book for next week!! Thanks and greatly appreciated!

Chale · Guru

that book sounds really good!

And if its an easy read, then im going to have to go get it. Thanks

PS. Check your PM

Lahtina · Foro Master

Chale wrote:

@ Lahtina:From El Salvador whats the book about?

It's awesome! LOL It's about a man - Juan Preciado. Who promises his dying mother that he will visit his father - Pedro Páramo, a rich and despot landowner. So JP goes to Comala to meet his father and then... weird stuff happens. It's a short novella. I guarantee that you won't get it the first time. Well, you might, but you'll have to re-read a lot but can read it in a single day or two.

There's also Julio Cortázar, Argentino, para que te acuerdes de Dogo. The book is Rayuela (Hopscotch) this is basically a love story. I've started reading it like 4 times already and I can't get hooked. Yeah, maybe it's not that good. LOL But the neat thing about this one is that you can read it like a traditional book (cover to cover) or you can start on chapter 73 (I think it is) and then hop along to the chapters it indicates at the end of the chapters and you'll get a different story.

I really recommed his short stories though. That goes for most Latin american authors. Their short stories are the best.

Hang on, let me see what else...

ETA: I have tons, TONS, of e-books. I read the first few pages and if I like it, I go and buy it because I cannot and will never be able to read an entire book off a screen. I can e-mail you some if you want.

-- Edited by Lahtina at 14:16, 2006-01-20

Chale · Guru

@ Lahtina:

From El Salvador

whats the book about?

Lahtina · Foro Master

Chale wrote:

Im trying to start reading some Latin American authors, and need to start easy. Any suggestions?

Easy?! Hmmmmmm. You know, a lot of these authors' writings are easy "apparently" (the use of language) but the stories are complex. Where are you from? It really makes the novel more enjoyable if you can relate to the context. I love my Mexican Juan Rulfo - Pedro Páramo. I've read that 3 times now and I discover new things every time.

Chale · Guru

Lahtina wrote:

I don't know but I'm out for the next Book Club. I don't want to sound like a pretentious prick but I'm only going to read what is worth reading from now on. Which means: absolutely no best sellers and no contemporaries.

you dont sound like a pretentious prick at all girl! If anything it makes it sound as if you enjoy good literature not just whats hot and popular on Oprah's book club.

What books do you recommend?

Im trying to start reading some Latin American authors, and need to start easy. Any suggestions?

Lahtina · Foro Master

angelita dulce wrote:

So what's the next book??

I don't know but I'm out for the next Book Club. I don't want to sound like a pretentious prick but I'm only going to read what is worth reading from now on. Which means: absolutely no best sellers and no contemporaries.

angelita dulce · Foro Master

Lahtina wrote:

angelita dulce wrote: Ah man, it's that bad huh!! I already have some disappointments. At first i was on TVBuff's side and now i'm wondering if i might end up joining Chale on this, cause it's starting to suck!!! But i'm still enjoying it! Nah, it's not that bad. I enjoyed the book overall. I just think some stories were disappointing and predictable. In short, I've read better. I like the writers of the Latin American Boom: Alejo Carpentier, Mario Vargas Llosa, José Donoso, G.G. Márquez, Julio Cortázar, etc., not the wannabe post-boom ones.

Ya, it's not that bad. Unfortunately there are disappointing chapters, but you can never have it perfect!! After i'm done with this book, i want to try another one out.

So what's the next book??

Lahtina · Foro Master

angelita dulce wrote:

Ah man, it's that bad huh!! I already have some disappointments. At first i was on TVBuff's side and now i'm wondering if i might end up joining Chale on this, cause it's starting to suck!!! But i'm still enjoying it!

Nah, it's not that bad. I enjoyed the book overall. I just think some stories were disappointing and predictable. In short, I've read better. I like the writers of the Latin American Boom: Alejo Carpentier, Mario Vargas Llosa, José Donoso, G.G. Márquez, Julio Cortázar, etc., not the wannabe post-boom ones.

angelita dulce · Foro Master

Lahtina wrote:

angelita dulce wrote: I'm almost done reading this book. Unfortuantely i only have time to read when i'm in the bus going to work or going home. I have 3 more chapters left. And so far it's good and somewhat disappointing. BTW, i think what Flor did was stupid just in order to stay with her man! It only gets worse. If I were you I'd stop reading it and make up my own ending.

Ah man, it's that bad huh!! I already have some disappointments. At first i was on TVBuff's side and now i'm wondering if i might end up joining Chale on this, cause it's starting to suck!!! But i'm still enjoying it!

Lahtina · Foro Master

angelita dulce wrote:

I'm almost done reading this book. Unfortuantely i only have time to read when i'm in the bus going to work or going home. I have 3 more chapters left. And so far it's good and somewhat disappointing. BTW, i think what Flor did was stupid just in order to stay with her man!

It only gets worse. If I were you I'd stop reading it and make up my own ending.

angelita dulce · Foro Master

I'm almost done reading this book. Unfortuantely i only have time to read when i'm in the bus going to work or going home. I have 3 more chapters left.

And so far it's good and somewhat disappointing.

BTW, i think what Flor did was stupid just in order to stay with her man!

angelita dulce · Foro Master

OMG, you guys are the worst!!! Damn BUFFY, don't compare me to WHITNEY HOUSTON!! That's just so wrong. There's no way in hell i'm that addicted!!! There are others more addicted than i am!! LOL!!! One example is DOGO, he is actually waiting for his laptop, cause he wants to post from the comfort of his bed!! LOL!!!

Chale · Guru

TV Buff wrote:

Angelita? No, Angelita's way beyond hope. She's the Whitney Houston of Foro Addiction. We will be discussing Angelita's addiction to foro and a lot when we start picking on her starting Sunday. Mark your calendars. It'll be Pick on Angelita Dulce Week next week.

LMAO!

Damn! You know its time to get some help when you start being compared to the likes of Whitney Houston.

TV Buff · TOP Guru

Chale wrote:

angelita dulce wrote: No it does not!! I actually like the book!!! And BTW, now i know where i got that "suck leg" thingy!! Damn foro, i'm starting to speak foro language now! Foro is infultrating your every waking thoughts!I say you run now that there is still hope!

Angelita? No, Angelita's way beyond hope. She's the Whitney Houston of Foro Addiction. We will be discussing Angelita's addiction to foro and a lot when we start picking on her starting Sunday. Mark your calendars. It'll be Pick on Angelita Dulce Week next week.

Chale · Guru

angelita dulce wrote:

No it does not!! I actually like the book!!! And BTW, now i know where i got that "suck leg" thingy!! Damn foro, i'm starting to speak foro language now!

Foro is infultrating your every waking thoughts!
I say you run now that there is still hope!

angelita dulce · Foro Master

Chale wrote:

geez!its only the billionth time we metion the book... Its called Bitter Grounds.... by a lady named Sandra something or other.Dont read it! It sucks leg!

No it does not!! I actually like the book!!!

And BTW, now i know where i got that "suck leg" thingy!! Damn foro, i'm starting to speak foro language now!

Chale · Guru

geez!

its only the billionth time we metion the book...

Its called Bitter Grounds.... by a lady named Sandra something or other.

Dont read it! It sucks leg!

McOSIRIS · Comandante

what book is gonna be discussed??? (not that I read anyways....)

Chale · Guru

@ Buffy:

Maybe you found it a better read than I did because you related to the characters. I couldnt relate to any of them. And the subplot with her brother and her daughter at the end, just added unnecessary information.

The political factor in the book was also lacking some credibility. I felt that she downplayed the severity of the political situation and almost romanticized it.

Not my cup of tea thats for sure.

TV Buff · TOP Guru

Chale_Tanga wrote:

Bacilio was never fully developed as a character I find. What do we really know about him, except that he's in love with someone who doesnt love him back. Thats his whole purpose in the book, to be the sucker who gets screwed at the end. Now for the rest of book, which I struggled to get through, was just a waste of time and space in the literary world. The tiff between Ceci and Elena needlessly transcended through generations. I know that Sandra was trying to convey women as strong and independent, but truly all she accomplished was to portray women as catty, selfish homewrecking, grudge holding baby poppers. I hated this book. It could have been done so much better. I found it a total waste of my time to read! Oh yah, and the ending?? WTF?!?!? I skipped a few pages here and there and was still able to follow along in the so called plot. This book gets 2 Salvadorean beans outta 10!

I somewhat agree with you, but I loved the book and the way everyone was portrayed. Bacilio, for instance, there wasn't much to be added, 'cause that really was his main purpose in life: to love Jacinta. Plus his silence and demeanor spoke volumes about the kind of man he was. I really, really liked him. I loved Jacinta's character and I also loved Magda and hubby's relationship. My only major dissappointment was my tocaya. I expected her to do right, especially after everything poor Jacinta went through. My greatest shock was the death of Meche. It took me a while to get over that one, I'd grown so attached to her.

Overall I liked Sandra's style of writing and I could see each and everyone of the characters in real life, in that context, at that point of their history. Pride is so strong in our countries, especially in women, so I can totally see how insanely, against any logic, proud Jacinta and Elena were. I have sisters, and you wouldn't believe how long we haven't spoken to each other and for such minimal things. I really, really like this woman's style of writing. It's too bad some of you were disappointed. Like I said, it was the ending that really disappointed me, although Sandra gives you a ray of hope at the very end (me and my obsession with closure).

JOKER_ESCO · Foro Master

Chale wrote:

Jacinta's a monkey whore

LMAO

Chale · Guru

Jacinta's a monkey whore

angelita dulce · Foro Master

You guys suck leg...yes i said it, i don't know who i got it from, but it's sounds better then my original thoughts!!!

I'm not done with the book yet!!! But let me tell you .....i knew Jacinta would get pregnant!!! K, that's all for now. Once i get past those chapters i'll post more of what i think!!

Chale · Guru

Lahtina wrote:

That was Vicenta, I think. Mercedes was Jacinta's mother.

Ahhhhh.... okay, then her

Lahtina · Foro Master

Chale wrote:

Wasnt niña Meches the old lady who took them in? Im talking about Jacinta's mother.

That was Vicenta, I think. Mercedes was Jacinta's mother.

Chale · Guru

Wasnt niña Meches the old lady who took them in?

Im talking about Jacinta's mother.

Lahtina · Foro Master

Chale_Tanga wrote:
when we're first introduced to the mother (forget her name)

How could you forget niña Meches?

Ditto with everything Chale said. Although I didn't hate the book.

Chale · Guru

angelita dulce wrote:

Ah ok, i just saw a lot of typing and i decided not to read cause i thought you had just explained the whole book!!!
SOWY! MY BAD!!!

No worries

angelita dulce · Foro Master

Chale wrote:

@ Angelita: I didnt give anything away, I just simply stated my dislike for the book. Nothing more. The parts that I described happened within the first couple chapter, so nothing that you didnt already know.

Ah ok, i just saw a lot of typing and i decided not to read cause i thought you had just explained the whole book!!!

SOWY! MY BAD!!!