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

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

FinishedThe Confession Club. The Mason series

Elizabeth Berg allows readers to visit the inhabitants of Mason, Missouri once again in this final book of the series. The book gives closure to some of our favorite characters from the Mason series concentrating mainly on two of them. First on Maddy who began the whole thing. Secondly on Iris, who appeared in the second book. Both women learn sweet lessons about love and getting what you want out of life.

Elizabeth Berg's writing makes this series a pleasure to read. I love a writer who can express the divine in the ordinary. Berg is certainly one of those writers with her poignant yet practical observations of every day life.

4 yellow box cake with chocolate icing stars.

Quotable:

“That’s what life is, at its best. A confession club: people admitting to doubts and fears and failures. That’s what brings us closer to one another, our imperfections.”
― Elizabeth Berg, The Confession Club

“The cookie tray goes round and round. Outside, the moon rises. The wind is still. All over town, leaves hang on trees like open hands.”
― Elizabeth Berg, The Confession Club

“little disappointments seem like paper cuts; they can bother you more than the big things do.”
― Elizabeth Berg, The Confession Club

Currently listening to Lady Tan's Circle of Women

Completed The Keeper of Hidden Books 👍 Thumbs up but another one that was tough to judge.

The novel follows the life of a young woman as she survives the Nazi invasion of Poland. After suffering the loss of family members, her best friend being relegated to the Jewish ghetto, and the desecration of her beloved library, she joins the resistance and fights to free Warsaw from the Nazi regime.

I felt that the characters in this book were a little one dimensional and the action sometimes felt contrived. I just couldn't connect to the story as much as I wanted to. So why the thumbs up? First, because of the history included in the story. I had no idea that women and even children as young as 11 fought to expel the Nazis from Warsaw. That was only one of the many interesting nuggets of history included in this book. The author also did a great job of bringing the spirit of the Polish people to life. The second reason for the thumbs up was the beautiful discussion throughout the book of what books mean to people and what books can do. It was a wonderful reminder that there can't be true freedom without free thought and free thought requires that reading be open and unregulated. It also reminded readers of the importance of a free library system so that all people have access to all knowledge.

4 freedom to read, freedom to think stars.

Quotable:

“Books inspired free thought and empathy, an overall understanding and acceptance of everyone. In the pages of books that were burned and banned and ripped apart for pulping, Zofia had found herself. These were the parts of her that were human and strong and loving, parts that understood lives she had never led.”
― Madeline Martin, The Keeper of Hidden Book

“Good books were like amazing sunsets or awe-inspiring landscapes, better enjoyed with someone else. There was no greater experience in the world than sharing the love of a book, discussing its finer points, and reliving the story all over again.”― Madeline Martin, The Keeper of Hidden Book

“The world also needs to remember to never take for granted what has been gifted to us through the sacrifice of others: the right to an education and learning, the power and luxury of freedom, and the beauty to appreciate the routine of simple, everyday life.”
― Madeline Martin, The Keeper of Hidden Books

Bill wrote: "Stephanie Plum is always a nice, entertaining break."

Yes. One way or another Stephanie always makes me laugh.

Alissa wrote: " BOOK 9

I Found Puppets Living In My Apartment Walls by Ben Farthing



2 STARS
Ebook

In ad..."

The title of this alone sounds terrifying. I definitely do not want to read it. Especially with only 2 stars.

Alondra wrote: "Kudos on finishing the first one; but I expect no less!

Always good to read a comforting series or author."

Luckily most of the ones on this list are exactly that. Comfort reads.

Alondra wrote: "Kudos on knocking out those first two books!!"

Thanks Alondra!

Lea looks like you're having a good month. We seemed to have similar thoughts about several of these. I enjoyed Fourth Wing mainly because of the derivative fantasy themes. But the book was marred for me by the unhealthy romance themes. I get why it's considered sexy but the whole submission/dominance thing always bugs me. I feel like it encourages women in some wrong thinking. I just read Poverty as well and I feel that all your criticisms were valid. I haven't organized my thoughts about it enough to review it yet. And finally Warrior. I enjoyed it but not as much as Firekeeper and I have to say my dislike of Perry was the main reason. Love reading your reviews. Whether we agree or not they always give me a lot to think about. Keep reading!

Continuing to read The Confession Club and listening to Seven Up. Stephanie Plum always a fun one.

“Fiction became a friend as well as a safe harbor, a cocoon to protect her from the outside world and its dangers.”
― Emilia Hart, Weyward

#3 Bookshops & Bonedust I loved this prequel to Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes. I enjoyed getting some of Viv's backstory and I felt like this was a pretty good tale all on its own. An oversized paperback fantasy book, a blanket and a warm cup of tea, a cold winter rain outside. That's a perfect weekend as far as I'm concerned. 4 Hygge Fantasy stars. Paperback. Fantasy-Cozy

#4 Weyward I didn't love this one as much. Multiple timeline historical fiction followed the lives of three women from the same family line. All had similar experiences. Sometimes multiple timelines just don't work for me and I was bored with the overarching theme of the book. You don't have to beat me over the head with it in three time periods. Otherwise it was a decently good book with a conclusion that brought it all together nicely. 3 spiders and crows stars. Audiobook. Historical Fiction.

#5 Hell Is Empty Probably my favorite of the Longmire series so far. The sheriff pursues a band of escaped convicts through a snowstorm with only an elusive Indian guide to help. 5 maybe the best of the bunch stars. Audiobook. Mystery.

5 books

Currrent:
Poverty, by America Audiobook. Wow!
The Confession Club ebook. Love Elizabeth Berg.
The Running Grave Hardback. Can't help it if she's not politically correct. J.K. Rowling is still a darn good writer.

“Life is like that.” He flipped through a few more limp pages. “You collect things as you go—the things you think are important—and soon they weigh you down until you realize that these things you cared so much about mean nothing at all. Our natures are our natures.” He grunted. “And they are all we are left with.”
― Craig Johnson, Hell Is Empty

Lea wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Yes! Amish fiction even goes a step further and mimics the popular themes within the genre. Amish murder mysteries, Amish memoirs, I even read an Amish apocalypse novel. What next?..."

I'm laughing so hard. I'll bet all Amish books will have to include a shark attack now. It's a whole new genre Amish Beach Reads.

Ann at the Beach wrote: "Always good to get the 1st one down. Looks like a good series—oh no—another one to add to the ever lengthy list of series."

You can always binge watch the series instead but beware that's what I did and now I'm reading the series.

Lea wrote: "Dear Ms. Boulley,

I really enjoyed Firekeeper's Daughter, and hadn't heard as much about Warrior Girl Unearthed, so I had a little concern that it wouldn't hold up ..."

Glad you liked Warrior Girl Lea! I enjoyed it. It did have a different feel than the first book and the ending was a little messy but a great story in spite of that.

Bill wrote: "Michelle wrote: "First book of this list completed! Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson.

Sheriff Longmire pursues a gang of dangerous esc..."

A great series if you like a story with interesting characters.

First book of this list completed! Hell Is Empty by Craig Johnson.

Sheriff Longmire pursues a gang of dangerous escaped convicts into the heart of a snowstorm. Cut off from back up by the weather and determined to get his man the sheriff tracks the convicts into the mountains with only a mysterious Indian guide to help.

This may be my favorite of the Longmire series so far. I do love the Sheriff and this one is pretty much all Sheriff. The outdoor mountain setting and the reappearance of a character from an earlier book as the guide combined to make this one memorable.

5 Just because he wasn't there doesn't mean he wasn't there stars.

Quotable:

"Talking with people was more confusing than being confused by yourself.”
― Craig Johnson, Hell Is Empty

“It’s never about who’s the fastest, strongest, toughest—it’s always about who, when everyone else would pause, will commit.”
― Craig Johnson, Hell Is Empty

Lea wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Michelle wrote: "It's funny isn't it how trends come and go in books that are published today."

You forgot WW2 themed HF books..."

And let's not forget the Amish fiction, I still ha..."

Yes! Amish fiction even goes a step further and mimics the popular themes within the genre. Amish murder mysteries, Amish memoirs, I even read an Amish apocalypse novel. What next?

Ioana wrote: "Michelle wrote: "It's funny isn't it how trends come and go in books that are published today."

You forgot WW2 themed HF books..."

And holocaust themed HF. So so many.

Listening to Hell Is Empty. I'll be finished soon. I'm such a Longmire fan girl.

Ioana wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Completed Weyward 👎 Thumbs down but only barely.

This historical fiction follows three different women from the same family line in thr..."

It's funny isn't it how trends come and go in books that are published today. If one multiple timeline is successful all historical fiction must have multiple timelines. If one vampire book is poplular every book must have vampires. It even happens with nonfiction. If one celebrity bio sells out, suddenly 10 more celebrity bios are published.

Lea wrote: "I hate it when books are hyped so much and then it turns out that they were fine, but not as amazing as everyone said they should be. I am hoping to read Weyward later this year, an..."

Since it won two of the Goodreads Choice categories for 2023, it is possible that I am being too harsh. My feelings about the book may not be the norm. I look forward to reading your review when you read it. Hopefully you will be able to point out some other aspects of the book that I should have appreciated more. As I said it WAS a good book and there was a lot in there to think about, it just wasn't a format or topics that I enjoy.