Michelle’s Comments (group member since Dec 08, 2021)

Michelle’s comments from the On The Same Page group.

Lillie wrote: "Have read several of these including The Thirteenth Tale, Jamaica Inn, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, [book:Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story ..."

Thanks Lillie! Good to know you enjoyed so many of these. Looks like I really have been missing something.

“Words can do anything,” she said. “A kind word can fix a person’s spirit. A cruel one can break a person’s heart. Wicked words have caused wars, and honest words have made peace. Why shouldn’t they be able to heal?”
― Lynda Cohen Loigman, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern

#158 The Secret War of Julia Child An imagined account of the OSS activities of Julia Child in WWII. The historical setting and basic events of her life were accurate, but the main story was fictional. I enjoyed the book overall but I grew impatient with the main character. I think the author was trying to prove that Julia Child was not a silly woman but she certainly made the character seem a little too silly at times. 3 interesting story but poor execution stars. Audiobook. Fiction-Historical.

#159 Of Human Bondage At last! I have been reading this book forever. I could only take the main character in small doses. It is the story of a young man bent on poor decision making. So well written that it was painful to read and in so much detail. If the author wanted to convey the excruciating painfulness of youth (and I think he did) he was very successful. 2 I could have excused it if the main character developed wisdom but I think he only achieved acceptance stars. ebook. Fiction-Classic.

#160 The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern An octogenarian moves to a Florida senior living center and finds her long lost love. 3 love potions and misconceptions stars. Audiobook. Fiction-Magical Realism.

160 books Woot-woot!!!/15455 pages.

Current:
Holiday Hideaway ebook. Christmas read.
The Stranger paperback. Will finish!
A Christmas Carol Audiobook. Christmas tradition.

“She believed that the world still held a bit of magic for those who were patient and wise enough to wait.”
― Lynda Cohen Loigman, The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern

Finally!!!!!!!! Of Human Bondage Yesssssssssss!!!!!!

This book follows a young man from birth to adulthood, through a very long series of poor life choices, ill-advised business decisions, and fraught love affairs. After losing all his money, learning the value of work, and acknowledging the value of a true heart, he finally begins to shape a life worth living.

I did not enjoy this book but I will say that W. Somerset Maugham's writing was wonderful. The reader feels the youthful pains of the main character even as he winces knowing that his decisions will lead to disaster. There is a quote "Life is hard. It's even harder when you are stupid." I think that sums up the book. The main character gains less wisdom at the end than he does acceptance of life's ups and downs.

2 youthful failure to understand life's basics in excruciating detail stars.

Quotable:

“Like all weak men he laid an exaggerated stress on not changing one's mind.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage

“He did not care if she was heartless, vicious and vulgar, stupid and grasping, he loved her. He would rather have misery with one than happiness with the other.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage

“Self-control might be as passionate and as active as the surrender to passion...”
― William Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage

The secret to life is meaningless unless you discover it yourself.”
― W. Somerset Maugham, Of Human Bondage

@Saar. I'm looking forward to The Thirteenth Tale. Good to know you enjoyed it.

Hopefully that will be my experience too Laurel

Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "“And what stories these days don’t have happy endings? They all do, because the planet is on fire and our rights are being stripped and we’re slipping into fascism and people need ..."

I know, right?!!

Alissa wrote: "Finished off a few Christmas-themed books!

BOOK 153

The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson



2 STARS
Audiobook

I needed a ..."


Christmas Horror??????

Alissa wrote: " BOOK 155

The Christmas Train by David Baldacci



3.5 Stars
Book

This book made me want to ride a train across the country at..."


One of my Christmas favorites!

@Alondra. I'm looking forward to the Bill recommended list LOL.

@Lea I actually do like Hemingway, but he is an acquired taste. You are right about his short stories. It's the economy of words in his writing that I admire.

I have heard others say that the two Towles books are very different. People seem to fall on one side or the other. I'm anxious to see where I land.

interesting breakdown Lea. It doesn't look good for The Old Man and The Sea but I'm excited for Lincoln Highway. I read and enjoyed Gentleman in Moscow so my expectations for that one are high.

I have this already checked out and ready to go. I have read it before but I find that an annual Christmas listen never hurts.

Vikki wrote: "I've only read Water For Elephants and Seven Husbands, both of which I enjoyed and would recommend.
I can also have a stubborn streak. At one point everyone seemed to read Eleanor Oliphant - I only..."

I enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant too so maybe I will enjoy the two you recommend. I hope so I have been looking forward to Water for Elephants and Seven Husbands.

Bonnie wrote: "Michelle wrote: "There are always books that "everyone" is reading or that everyone says you "should read" or worst of all the someone or more than one someone tells you that you "have" to read. I ..."

UhOh! Sounds like an even split Bonnie. Which ones should I look out for?

Ioana wrote: "Great list! I usually don't read what the others are reading, but I've read almost all on this list. Can't wait to see your reviews, happy reading!"


Good to know you have read so many of them Ioana. It makes me feel like these really were books I missed and I need to get busy.

Melissa wrote: "Interesting - I also have Jamaica Inn on my 12+4 list this year.

A couple of these books I have also held off on reading for a similar reason, but there are also a few gems that I really enjoyed."

I've read several other DuMaurier, Bill, and enjoyed them. But never Jamaica Inn. Probably because I was told I had to. I'm glad you have read and enjoyed so many of the others. Maybe this will be a list of hits after all.

Melissa wrote: "Interesting - I also have Jamaica Inn on my 12+4 list this year.

A couple of these books I have also held off on reading for a similar reason, but there are also a few gems that I really enjoyed."

Glad to know there are some gems on the list, Melissa. I guess we'll both find out if Jamaica Inn is all that this year.

“And what stories these days don’t have happy endings? They all do, because the planet is on fire and our rights are being stripped and we’re slipping into fascism and people need some distraction from their miserable lives—”
― Steven Rowley, The Guncle Abroad

#154 Between the Sound and Sea A really nice story about correcting the wrongs of the past and finding your place in the world. 4 Where the Crawdads Sing meets any Mary Kay Andrews book stars. Audiobook. Fiction.

#155 Spirit of Steamboat A Longmire short. The sheriff and his team make a fraught Christmas Eve rescue. 4 Christmas miracle western style stars. Audiobook. Fiction.

#156 An Academy for Liars A mysterious magic school for adults sounded great but the story never really reached its full potential. I had high hopes for this book, but I have to say I was disappointed. I didn't buy in to the world building and on top of that it was downright gory. 3 passable but not in the ivy league of fantasy stars. Audiobook. Fiction-Fantasy.

#157 The Guncle Abroad Just a lovely, sweet story about an uncle trying to shepard his neice and nephew into adulthood and learning something about himself on the way. 4 possibly better than the first book in the series stars. Audiobook. Fiction-Contemporary.

157 books/14898 pages

Current:
The Secret War of Julia Child Audiobook. Fiction not fact but I'm liking it so far.
The Stranger Paperback. Of course.
Of Human Bondage ebook. Within 300 pages of a release from bondage. So close.

“Finer things. Don’t save them for a day that may never come, enjoy them with someone you love now.”
― Steven Rowley, The Guncle Abroad

There are always books that "everyone" is reading or that everyone says you "should read" or worst of all the someone or more than one someone tells you that you "have" to read. I always have trouble reading those books. Sometimes the description of the book just doesn't appeal to me. Sometimes I figure the book is just over hyped (sometimes I'm right about that). Sometimes I just get a stubborn streak and refuse to read what "everyone" is reading. Most of all I hate for someone to tell me I "have" to read something. It's been my experience that forcing someone to read a book is the best way to ensure that they will hate that book.

Over the past few years though I have discovered that sometimes when I break down and read one of those books, I am pleasantly surprised. It turns out that sometimes "everyone" is right, and I did "have" to read that book. The Kite Runner was one of those books for me. I resisted it for years but when I finally read it, I was blown away. Wouldn't my reading life have been less full if I had missed that book? Yes. More recently there was Cutting for Stone. Wow! What a book! I had literally refused to read it for years. Now, I'm so glad I didn't miss that book.

So this list is made up of a few of "those" books that I may have been missing. I'm going to read them and mark them off my list with either HIT or MISS. The first book on the list is actually a book one of my good friends in High School loved and insisted I "had" to read. I'm not going to tell you how long ago that was but I'm finally going to find out if she was right. Who knows, maybe I've just been missing it all this time.

1. Jamaica Inn Completed 4/8/25 Hit
2. The Silent Patient Completed 2/27/25 Miss
3. Water for Elephants Completed 9/5/25 Hit
4. Where the Crawdads Sing Completed 5/14/25 HIT!
5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Completed 1/31/25 Hit
6. Neuromancer Completed 1/26/25 Hit
7. PachinkoCompleted 1/29/25 Hit
8. The Thirteenth Tale. Completed 2/15/25 Miss
9. Shotgun Lovesongs. Completed 2/22/25 HIT!
10. The Lincoln Highway Completed 3/16/25 HIT
11. The Old Man and the Sea Completed 3/22/25 Hit
12. The Little Prince Complete 1/15/25 Hit

Alternates (But not really because, you know, I "have" to)
13. Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster. Complete 3/10’25. Hit
14. The Year of Magical Thinking Complete 2/25/25 Hit
15. The God of the Woods Complete 1/5/25 Miss
16. The Berry Pickers Complete 1/15/25 Hit

For clarity:
Hit = Everyone was right! I would have hated to miss this book.
Miss = What was everyone thinking? I would never have missed this if I hadn't read it.

Lillie wrote: "Michelle wrote: "A batch of escapism books when I needed them. Nothing earth shattering but they served their purpose."

Sometimes escapist books are what restore the soul :) As long as you enjoyed..."

Mercy Thompson is perfect escapism.

What a great idea for a challenge! And some great books on it too. You go girl!