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

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

Alondra wrote: "So, congrats on completing this. I forgot to do that as we all discussed banned books and the ramifications of censorship.

Thanks again for bringing even more awareness to this issue."

Thanks Alondra. This challenge has made me really think about some of these issues. I'm glad that you enjoyed participating in the discussion. That is my main conclusion from this. We need to talk more about books and what they mean and how they affect us. What is important and ways we can share books more (because that is really sharing empathy). Where is that line between protecting and actually attempting to control people's thoughts. I haven't made a big deal about getting 12 read because I want to finish all 16. I just need to get the last couple done.

Alondra wrote: "Great updates, Michelle.

King of Ashes is already on the list. I have Razorblade Tears on my list for this year; so, I want to get that under my belt first.

They are making [book:All the Sinners ..."

I'm right there with you Alondra. Something about S.A. Cosby and his gritty reads, I always go back for more. I'm looking forward to the Netflix series. I hope they don't mess it up.

Patricia wrote: "I just did a little research and now I have too many books to choose from. I'll share a few with you & hope there's something you're interested in.
Memphis
[book:The False Flat|2034..."

Oooh some good ones there Patricia! Thanks for sharing your research.

Sounds like you had a great month, even if you did spend it outside Alondra. Sort of Mother Nature with Zombies. Glad you had fun!

Congrats on a great month Alissa.! And what a great bestie you have. There's nothing better for a book lover than someone who will stay quietly nearby and let you read. We're not antisocial we just enjoy a different kind of togetherness.

“Dogs and books, two excellent defenses against solitude and despair.”
― Margarita Montimore, Oona Out of Order

109 books
9464 pages

86 audiobooks
23 print

I seem to be on a 4 star streak.

#106 The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey I could not have imagined how much I would enjoy this book. Author Rinker Buck and his brother drive a team of mules and a covered wagon over the modern-day Oregon Trail and their adventures are poignant, funny, and fascinating. Great audiobook production read by the author. 4 fans of Bill Bryson would love this one stars. Nonfiction-Living History.

#107 Listen for the Lie Also better than I thought it would be. A woman accused of murder but with no memory of the event joins with a podcaster to learn the truth. This was just a lot of fun. 4 everyone in town is a suspect stars. Mystery.

#108 Oona Out of Order I loved this unique time travel story. This one wasted no time on the how of the time travel and focused on the effect on the traveler and the people she encountered. Really endearing characters in this one. Also, a funny story. I had no intentions of reading this even though I do like time travel. My son gave it and another book to me for my birthday and said I want you to tell me if you like it. Turns out he used ChatGPT and my Goodreads read list to pick out two paperbacks for me. I haven't read the second book yet but based on my experience with this one - well done! 4 let's hear it for AI stars. Speculative Fiction-Time Travel.

#109 The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey My second president book by Candice Millard was as successful as the first. This book covered one of the final adventures of Theodore Roosevelt. After he was president he discovered, explored, and mapped an unknown river in the Amazon jungle. This was an exciting tale all by itself, but Millard managed to tell it in a way that revealed the character and personality of Roosevelt in a way that most biographies do not. 4 the crucible of adventure stars. Nonfiction-President Challenge

Current:

Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind so funny
The Phoenix Pencil Company I can't wait to see where this one goes

“I do not believe in organized religion, herbal remedies, yoga, Reiki, kabbalah, deep massage, slow food, or chicken soup for the soul. The nostrums of Deepak Chopra and Barbara De Angelis cannot rescue people like me. I believe in crazyass passion.”
― Rinker Buck, The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey

“I am not responsible for the fake version of me you created in your head.”
― Amy Tintera, Listen for the Lie

“Roosevelt had never allowed himself to fear death, famously writing, “Only those are fit to live who do not fear to die.” From a very young age, he had been prepared to die in order to live the life he wanted.
― Candice Millard, The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey

Patricia wrote: "I need a book from Tennessee as well, so I'll be checking to see if any one responds. I have considered rereading A Death in the Family. I read it years ago & would like to read it ag..."

That one does look promising Patricia. Thanks for the suggsestion.

Lea wrote: "Sorry you didn't love One Summer. I agree with your assessment, but I think I had lower expectations for the book. There were way too many convenient plot twists that made this book completely unbe..."

I hated that. I really do like Baldacci normally. I'm also glad to hear it made Hallmark. Maybe this was just bad timing for me. Also, I listened to the audiobook which was clearly one of the early audiobook productions. It was a VERY dramatic reading especially the letters. Complete with heartfelt background music. That didn't help.

Ann at the Beach wrote: "Finished 3 more. YAY!!
Caleb's Crossing--another great book by one of my favorite historical fiction authors -- Geraldine Brooks. This one tells the story of the firs..."

I agree about The Thirteenth Tale. A good book but too much depended on the very contrived twist. I also did not appreciate the twins. After Stephen King did it, it seems like a cheap way to achieve the creep factor.

Bill wrote: "Michelle wrote: ""The morning sun baptizes both sinner and saint alike."
-S.A. Cosby, King of Ashes



You should pick up The Listeners Bill. I think you would like it. Her Raven King trilogy is also good but I flaked out on the follow up series for that one.

Lillie wrote: "Michelle wrote:
"Current:
Oona Out of Order Setting up for a nice time travel tale."

I hope you continue enjoying it! I found it to be a much better time travel story than the one I read for book..."

I haven't read The Daytripper but so far this is the best time travel tale I have read in a while. So good! I read Wrong Place Wrong Time a while back. Not bad but this one is so much better.

Looks like you are reading all your favorite Harrys. What a great way to spend the summer. Happy reading Alondra!

"The morning sun baptizes both sinner and saint alike."
-S.A. Cosby, King of Ashes

105 books
9132 pages

83 audiobooks
22 print

#102 The Dream Hotel An interesting dystopian tale set in the near future when tech companies watch everything even dreams and use algorithms to predict crime, removing potential criminals based on the probability that they will commit a crime. A young mother is sent to a retention center based on her algorithm and struggles to return to normal life. I had a few quibbles with this one, but it was such an interesting concept my hang ups did not spoil the book for me. 3 big brother is not only watching he is in your dreams stars. Speculative Fiction/Dystopia.

#103 The Listeners Maggie Stiefvater's first adult book was a hit for me. Set in the early days of WWII the manager of a luxury hotel is forced to house political prisoners as guests. The writing was beautiful and the setting was captivating. 4 be careful if you drink the water stars. Historical Fiction.

#104 King of Ashes S.A. Cosby never disappoints me. I have only one word for this book INTENSE. 4 everything burns stars. Fiction-Southern Grit Lit.

#105 One Summer I usually enjoy David Baldacci so I jumped on the bandwagon when I saw my Goodreads friends reading this one. A mistake I'm sad to say. I also have only one word for this one TRITE. Not a bad story but everything was so contrived. This was like if your 90's Dad wrote a Hallmark movie. 3 no, I think it might even be too corny for Hallmark stars. Romance.

Current:
Oona Out of Order Setting up for a nice time travel tale.
The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey I didn't imagine I could like this one as much as I do.

“Life is crazy and maddening and often makes no sense.”
― David Baldacci, One Summer

“To be a woman was to watch yourself not just through your own eyes, but through the eyes of others.”
― Laila Lalami, The Dream Hotel

“Even he, with all his life experience and his training, saw loveliness in these surroundings. Everything logical in him was unnerved; everything else swooned.”
― Maggie Stiefvater, The Listeners

Lillie wrote: "Michelle wrote:
"Current:
The Dream Hotel More oppression by the patriarchy but this time in the future."

Looking forward to what you think about this book. I have it on my list ..."


I did enjoy it Lillie. I'll write more later but it was frighteningly close to current reality. I can see us getting there if we aren't careful.

I have currently completed everything on the list except a book from your home state and a book from the state where you were born. Both are the same in my case. Looks like I need two great books that take place in Tennessee. Any suggestions?

Patricia wrote: "Enjoyed looking through your list of books. I have Isola & The Griffin Sisters to read. I also greatly enjoyed [book:Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Mu..."

Enjoy Isola and The Griffin Sisters Patricia! I'm going to have to find more of Millard's books too. Destiny of the Republic was just awesome. I've got River of Doubt on my wishlist. Hopefully it will come through from the libary soon.

“Light is only possible through dialogue between cultures, not through rejection of one or the other.”
― James McBride, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

101 books
8712 pages

80 audiobooks
21 print

#99 Never Flinch I hate to have to give this review, but this was not King at his best. I still love the Holly character but the book on the whole just didn't come together. I don't know if King tried to do too much with one story or if he just phoned it in but either way he didn't pull it off. 3 entertaining but not up to par for King stars. Mystery/Bad King (of course Bad King is still better than a lot of other books).

#100 Isola A young woman is left to the mercy of her guardian. When he decides to take her with him in search of the new world his mercy leaves her stranded and desolate. The degradations this young woman suffered at the hands of men made this a frustrating book to read. The ending was somewhat satisfying and at least hopeful but the main character still had to debase herself to achieve a measure of security. 3 woe to those who do not conform to the patriarchy stars. Historical Fiction.

#101 The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store This was a meandering tale of a segregated community that came together to rescue one young boy. While it was masterfully written it was still a difficult read, not only because of the subject matter but also because of the in-depth histories of the characters and their complicated connections to each other. 3 love overcomes hate stars. Historical Fiction.

Current:
The Listeners More historical fiction but with a little magical realism maybe???
The Dream Hotel More oppression by the patriarchy but this time in the future.

“extreme horror is, in it's own way, merciful - it doesn't let you look ahead to the end”
― Stephen King, Never Flinch

“My guardian served as my protector, but I had no one to protect me from him.”
― Allegra Goodman, Isola

“As I have said, my daughter, no matter what virtue and goodness you see in yourself or others, know that in this world, not one in a thousand escapes without some deception or attack on her honor, no matter how good or perfect.”
― Allegra Goodman, Isola

“You can forever remember the wrongs done to you as long as you live,” she said. “But if you forget ’em and go on living, it’s almost as good as forgiving.”
― James McBride, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

Looks like you are having a good month Patricia. I enjoyed How to Solve Your Own Murder, Colton Gentry's Third Act and Go as a River also. I'm glad to see you did too. Although I'm not sure enjoy is the right word for Go as a River. It was a painful story but one that sticks with you somehow.

Heart, have no pity on this house of bone: Shake it with dancing, break it down with joy.
-Edna St. Vincent Millay

98 books
8275 pages

78 audiobooks
20 print

#96 No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson An expose' about the Johnson & Johnson company. Horrifying, but even more horrifying because it seems to be the way the pharmaceutical industry in the United States works and the FDA is complicit. Tylenol and baby powder are just the tip of the iceberg. This one will really make you think next time you are at the pharmacy. 4 move over Sacklers stars. Nonfiction.

#97 Edna St. Vincent Millay: Selected Poems: This one took me a while. I do love some of this author's poetry. I found while reading this collection that some of it I do not love. While she has a beautiful turn of phrase and is often down to earth, some of her poetry calls too much on classical literature and the cerebral for my taste. It did make it all the more enjoyable when I found a line or poem that spoke to me. 3 Though summer's rife and the warm rose in season, Rebuke me not: I have a winter reason stars. Poetry.

#98 The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits I really enjoyed this book. It was Jennifer Weiner at her finest. Two sisters make it to the top of the charts but when one eclipses the other the trouble begins. Sad but heartwarming. 4 sisters what can you do stars. Contemporary Fiction.

Currently:
Never Flinch Holly Gibney is the GOAT.
Isola About half way through and I have mixed feelings about this one.

“the FDA is now so wholly captive to those it supposedly regulates that agency officials routinely refer to drug and device companies as their main customer and concern, not consumers or the American public.”
― Gardiner Harris, No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson

Asking her to do anything else, like actively participate in her own love life, or have difficult conversations with family members or bandmates, was like asking a spoon to take someone’s temperature, or thinking a hammer could iron your dress. ”
― Jennifer Weiner, The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits

Pity me that the heart is slow to learn What the swift mind beholds at every turn.
-Edna St. Vincent Millay

Yes. I think it's not knowing what to edit and where to end it somehow. It needs to be tighter. Anyway, it just doesn't click for me.