Suzan’s Comments (group member since May 22, 2020)

Suzan’s comments from the 2020 Big Book Summer Reading Challenge group.

Cheriee wrote: "I've just started listening to The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish. At 592 pages, I'm going to be listening to it for a long time!"

Oooh, Cheriee! The Weight of Ink is on my TBR list - my book group read it last year, but I missed the meeting (and the book) but saw that everyone loved it! Hope you enjoy it, too!

Linda wrote: "Finished The Daughters of Erietown. I was really disappointed with it. I expected better from Connie Schultz."

Sorry that one didn't work out for you, Linda - I;ve never read Connie Schultz.

And my 6th Big Book was Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King, which was fabulous - intense suspense! Not horror but straight-up mystery/thriller. I can't wait to read the next in the series, Finders Keepers. Here's my review:

https://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2020/...

Catch-up time for me!

I finished my 5th Big Book last month: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins, prequel to The Hunger Games. I listened on audio and really enjoyed it. Here's my review:

https://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2020/...

Victoria wrote: "Deb wrote: "Another Big book read!!! Just finished The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

Here is my review:


The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
My rati..."

Definitely make time for it, Vicky - I didn't expect to enjoy it but ended up loving it! If a book can overcome poor expectations, then I consider it extra good!

Karen wrote: "Another big book .. Truly Madly Guilty .. one that has been on my shelf to read .. good book .. 2nd book I have read by this author & she does a great job .."

ha ha ... me, too, again, Karen! We're having very similar Big Book Summers!

Karen wrote: "Just finished Mr. Mercedes .. love Stephen King .. 436 pages .."

Me, too, Karen!! I am behind on cataloging my own Big Book Summer, but I really enjoyed this one.

Deb wrote: "Another Big book read!!! Just finished The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

Here is my review:


The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
My rating: 5 of 5 ..."

Congrats on finishing another Big Book, Deb! I really liked this one, which was funny because I read it reluctantly, for a book group, after not enjoying another Chabon novel. But I loved this one! Glad you did, too - you're right - it would make a great limited series!

Elinor wrote: "Just finished Sapiens: a brief history of humankind by Yval Noah Harari. This is my second big book of this summer’s challenge!

Check out my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"
Way to go on completing another Big Book, Elinor! Lots of people have been reading this one this summer. I need to add it to my list!

Karen wrote: "Just finished The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel. 754 pages! Phew 😌"

Wow, that's a hefty one, Karen! I have heard SUCH good things about Hilary Mantel over the years but have never read any of her books ... yet!

Nancy wrote: "Just finished Couldn't put it down. Eventhough it's over 500 pages I finished it in four days. Very timely ..."

Wow, Nancy - that's a quick read for a Big Book! I've been hearing good things about it from many people - glad you liked it, too.

Victoria wrote: "Guess I will count this ARC which Goodreads says is 400 pages in the Paperback version. I recommend this if you like a good serial killer story, and it’s set in Spain which I enjoyed. [book:The Sil..."

That sounds good, Vicky - I hadn't heard of it before - glad you enjoyed it!

Linda wrote: "I'm confused about whether my present book qualifies. I'm listening to the 10th Anniversary edition of . Accord..."

Hey, Linda - sorry, I got way behind here - lots of family crises lately.

So, I read The New Jim Crow last year in print, and it is only 261 pages long. Sorry! Differing page counts could include resources, references, and other end matter (I remember there was a fair amount of that) and/or they might have added a foreward since I read it. It was a valuable book to have read anyway!

Cheriee wrote: "I've just finished my fourth big book, A Matter of Malice by Thomas King (400 pages). It was a fast read despite the number of pages. Now I can hardly wait for the next in the seri..."

Congratulations on your 4th Big Book, Cheriee! So exciting to find a new series you enjoy - something to look forward to!

Linda wrote: "I posted in the wrong spot! I am teachable!

I previously finished The Promise of Stardust which was 432 pages. Now, I'm reading The Daughters of Erietown which is 4..."

ha ha not a problem, Linda! My husband is bummed because is current book comes in just under 400 pages!

Linda wrote: "I finished The Promise of Stardust. I enjoyed it. This would be a great book for a book discussion. There is a LOT to discuss. I especially liked the book because it was not preachy..."

That sounds really good, Linda - congrats on finishing another Big Book!

Pam wrote: "Last night I finished Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (Outlander #2). Like Outlander, I loved the story and got emotionally connected to the characters, although their time spent in Paris was ..."

Glad you enjoyed it, Pam! Me, too ... and I still need to read book #3 - maybe Big Book Summer 2021!

Deb wrote: "Finished The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 416 pgs.
Here is my review:

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff
My rating: 5 of 5 st..."

Wow, Deb, that sounds like a very difficult & powerful read.

Karla wrote: "Sorry. That last post should've been in a different thread. Next up will be Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman"

I'll be interested to hear how you like Good Omens! We started to watch the TV show but I haven't read the book. Enjoy!

Karla wrote: "Finished my 5th book: Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War 11 by Robert Matzen (audio narrated by Tavia Girlbert) 404 pages
I have such mixed feeling about this one. I wanted to learn about thi..."

Sorry Dutch Girl didn't live up to your expectations. It happens!