Will you help me pick my next book?

United States
February 18, 2019 2:30pm CST
I've had a few people say they'd like it if I made a discussion like this. A sort of "help me pick" where I give two books I am torn between. Well, I haven't finished my current read, but I soon will. I need you to do me a favor though. Please look the book up and read what it's about. Do not just go by the title I give you. I need an informed answer to help me decide. I'd like you to briefly tell me why you would pick that book instead of the other choice, or if you couldn't decide between the two then tell me why. I'd like this to be a discussion so no empty answers, yeah? Please and Thank You. Here is what I am between : The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy AND The Historian By Elizabeth Kostova BUT, MAYBE Plainsong by Kent Haruf Please, Please look up the synopsis. Empty Answers turn me into the hulk. Thank You!
8 people like this
9 responses
@GreatMartin (23678)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
1 Mar 19
"I ended up not choosing any of those" Okay, then I don't feel bad about suggesting either or both of these!!
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Mar 19
Would I be remiss in thinking these are your own works?
@shaggin (71572)
• United States
20 Feb 19
Dang I would be judging by the title and cover so I am sitting the out so I won't turn you into the hulk
@shaggin (71572)
• United States
20 Feb 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum it takes up our time reading them so best make it a good one.
2 people like this
• United States
20 Feb 19
@shaggin I agree! I just finished watching Lucifer I am now debating whether to watch the rest of Handmaid's tale or just get rid of Hulu. I'm confused!
2 people like this
• United States
20 Feb 19
I ended up not choosing any of those. I am so bad about choosing books!
2 people like this
@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
19 Feb 19
I would say: 1. The Historian, 2. Plainsong 3. The Husband Tree I haven't read any of them, so this is only based on the Goodreads descriptions, but The Historian sounds like the most interesting book to me. I read Dracula many years ago, and it could be interesting to see the connection between that book and the book by Elizabeth Kostova I got the impression it involves many characters and places. I have travelled around in some of those places, so that part would be interesting to me. Plainsong? I don't know. I think that I would like it better than The Husband Tree, but I probably wouldn't be that interested in any of them (based on the descriptions)
• United States
19 Feb 19
Both plainsong and The Husband Tree were grabbed because of the cover. I also grabbed them because I wanted to get a little out of my comfort zone. I'm more likely to read something like The Husband Tree than I am Plainsong. This Year I wanted to read more books that I normally wouldn't think to read. The Historian might be what I end up going with, but it's also a long read. It's around 520 pages and I am about to finish a book that was 468 pages long. So... I don't know, the more I think about it, the more unsure I am as to whether I will read it next. I may be going to the thrift store again today. It all depends on how things turn out. My uncle, who usually takes me, has to take my cousin to the doctor.. He may not want to go today.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31367)
• Denmark
19 Feb 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum I am planning to do the same this year. I want to get out of my comfort zone, because I tend to read the same kinds of books most of the time. I like psychological thrillers and similar types of books, and I have decided to read more books from other genres. Sometimes I like to read something shorter between long books. I am reading August by Judith Rossner rigth now. It is about 400 pages long, but I like it so far. I hope you find something interesting when you manage to go to the thrift store. I bought two books last time I went to store, but they mostly have older second hand books.
• United States
19 Feb 19
@Porcospino I was also thinking of going to a store not too far down the road. It isn't a thrift store, but they do have discounted items. It's one of those stores that sell overstock and discontinued type items. They also have a big section of books. I have a lot of the mystery / thriller type books because they were the cheapest at the thrift store. I do like that genre sometimes, but I haven't felt like reading any of them yet. I am preparing myself to finish the rest of The House At Riverton today. So few pages left to read, I know I will be left distraught once it's over.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303377)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
19 Feb 19
If you're into romance, and I'm not, the first one might be good for you. It would gag my senses. Too ordinary where romances are concerned. However, if you've read the first in the series, it would be good to read the next. Unless it's not that kind of series. The Historian sounded good at first but the description went on and on. It might be a good read, but if I got bored reading the synopsis, I wouldn't like the book either. As for the third - too confusing. I have no idea what that synopsis was about. In my opinion - find something else to read these aren't worth your time.
• United States
19 Feb 19
I will admit that I was thinking I might not read any of them. The Historian would be my first pick, even though it is long. I do have to agree about the synopsis going on forever. Romance isn't always my cuppa either. I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone a bit with my reading, which is why it's on my shelf at all. I intend to go to the thrift store tomorrow and get a few more books. I will either decide on a book tonight, or wait until tomorrow and maybe ask for a few more suggestions based on those.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Feb 19
@just4him I like every story to have a little fluff. There is an author, Simone St. James, which is perfect for this. She mentions a little romance but it doesn't distract from her plots. There are times when I just want the gooey, HEA type stuff though, I have to admit.
1 person likes this
@just4him (303377)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
19 Feb 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum There are better genres to get out of your comfort zone with. I only read romance when my mind needs a break from something that is complicated yet very good. The twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat leading you to a good solution. Then I need some fluff to settle my mind before I start something else.
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
18 Feb 19
Personally I would go with the Historian next. Plainsong doesn't sound like something I would particularily enjoy.
• United States
18 Feb 19
I am leaning more towards The Historian. Plainsong does seem rather dull, atleast not something I'd like to read at the moment. The Historian would fall more in line with my reading of different eras. Every book I've read this year has been written about a different Era.
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
19 Feb 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum I think I am going to read Hitchikers guide to the galaxy next.
• United States
19 Feb 19
@thislittlepennyearns Ooh! I haven't come across that book at the thrift store yet, atleast not that I know of. I imagine it would be more expensive than I would be willing to "spend' though. Most of those types of books, the ones that were turned into movies, are more expensive at the thrift store.
@porwest (78726)
• United States
23 Feb 19
Not sure if you like horror/fantasy tales, but I recommend Grue Tales by R.K. Finnell. Not just because I wrote the foreward under my pen name Ivan S. Graves, but because Finnell is a good writer who has a very unique style of writing, the tales in the book are fun and interesting to read, and every writer deserves a chance to be read. Check it out. I am pretty sure it's available in paperback on Amazon, but of course you can also get an electronic version of it. BTW, here's an interview with the author if it helps to pique your interest a little more.
writing as Ivan S. Graves I recently had the opportunity to chat a bit with horror writer R.K. Finnell about her recently released col...
• United States
23 Feb 19
Horror is one of my favorite genres. I will check this out. I actually plan to buy hardback / paperback more. Kindles are nice but I have shelves that I've emptied of other things, they need filled with books. I feel like I've seen that name before, are they a mylot contributor?
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Feb 19
@porwest I never thought I would get an e-reader until I did. I still like to read some things on the kindle, but I've been collecting physical copies (again) for about a year now.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78726)
• United States
23 Feb 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum She does, in fact, contribute here. She was also on Bubblews. As for books, I ALWAYS prefer the physical ones. Maybe I am just old school, but I like to hold the book in my hands.
@WorDazza (15836)
• Manchester, England
18 Feb 19
To be honest neither Plainsong or The Husband Tree sound like my kind of thing. As a huge fan of Bram Stoker's Dracula I would be interested to see what Elizabeth Kosta has done with the Dracula folklore.
• United States
18 Feb 19
It piqued my interest for that reason as well. I think I've had it for about four months but haven't read it yet. I love folklore surrounding vampires and how they came to be.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15836)
• Manchester, England
19 Feb 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum It definitely sounds like the best option from your choices.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18757)
• United States
19 Feb 19
I would say Plainsong by Kent Haruf. The reason is because I love books with interlocking stories. I'm going to look up this book on Overdrive for myself. My second pick would be The Historian By Elizabeth Kostova because I love reading about Dracula.
• United States
19 Feb 19
Everyone seems to agree with The Historian. You are the first one who has suggested Plainsong over The Historian. I just finished my last book and wrote about it here. I am going to decide what to start later today. I want to give others the chance to weigh in.
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55684)
• Portugal
19 Feb 19
I am looking for a light book to. read, we have this new one here on the library where I work and I will probably read this one
• United States
19 Feb 19
What is it about?
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Feb 19
@nela13 I know I could not attempt to be a Parisian woman. It is futile!
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55684)
• Portugal
19 Feb 19
@ScribbledAdNauseum something very futile, how to be a Parisian woman
1 person likes this