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

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

Listening Hard.

#117 Hot Six I had to jump right into the next Stephanie Plum to see who she called in the cliff hanger from book 5. Stephanie manages to collect another batch of misfits and solve the case once again but still can't figure out her love life or hang onto a vehicle. Meanwhile, Grandma Mazur gets her drivers license and declares independence. 3 always makes me laugh stars. Audiobook. Mystery.

#118 Evergreen The second in this historical mystery series. A young Japanese/American woman tries to solve the murder of an older Japanese man in a turbulent Los Angeles as the Japanese return from the internment camps and try to regain their lives. I think I enjoyed this book better than the first in the series. 4 things are not what they appear stars. Audiobook. Mystery.

#119 The Secret Book of Flora Lea Two young sisters are evacuated from London during the WWII Blitz. The younger sister is lost. The older sister never gives up on finding her. A pretty but implausible tale. 3 power of story stars. Audiobook. Historical Fiction.

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 15
4 stars - 55
3 stars - 45
2 stars - 4

Current:
Night Train to Lisbon ebook.
Poster Girl ebook.
Kindness Goes Unpunished audiobook.

Lea wrote: "You're making me want to get back into my Stephanie Plum books. They are such silly fun."

They are fun. I really love the Grandma. She makes me laugh out loud.

#113 Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley. Loved this author's previous book loved this one. It is defnitely YA but it deals with weighty topics which are currently being discussed - the overwhelming number of unsolved cases involving the disappearance of indigenous women and the return of indigenous remains to their tribes. A great story too. 4 strong female character stars. Audiobook. YA-Mystery.

#114 The Brain Fog Fix: Reclaim Your Focus, Memory, and Joy in Just 3 Weeks Lots of interesting information here in an enjoyable format. I'll give you a spoiler which I am not even going to hide. The answer is the same as with all these books: eat healthier, exercise more, and sleep better. That answer is OK. I read these for information and encouragement not because I need a different answer. 3 eat, move, and sleep stars. Audiobook. Nonfiction-Health.

#115 Fourth Wing Now that's what I call Dragon Fantasy! Except when it wasn't. I loved the fantasy story - think Anne McCaffrey meets Suzanne Collins. Unfortunately, the author bowed to the pressure of convention and threw in the typical love triangle (team sunny boy next door vs. team dark and brooding bad boy). To make matters worse near the end that whole thing devolved into a way too long passage of erotica. I'm not opposed to either of those necessarily but in this case it seriously interrupted a really good dragon fantasy. 4 dragon school rules stars! In spite of my complaints, I enjoyed the book too much to only give it 3 stars. Audiobook. Fantasy-Dragon/Romance-Steamy.

#116 Falling The writing on this one was just adequate, but the intriguing premise followed by non-stop action carried the book. I enjoyed this one in spite of a few weaknesses in the execution. 3 flight attendants not going down without a fight stars. Paperback. Thriller.

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 15
4 stars - 54
3 stars - 43
2 stars - 4

Current:
Night Train to Lisbon ebook. It's a slow train obviously
Poster Girl ebook. Off to a decent start
Hot Six audiobook. I had to see who she called.

Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Continuing to think about Stephen King and his short stories or novellas if you prefer. My top three would be Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption; Mr. Harrigan's Phone; and ..."

I've only read the first two. So looking up Crouch End now to see if I can get it on the hold list. :)

Looks like you had a good month Martha. Don't give up on Dresden. It gets better and better the more you read.

Congratulations!

I don't know if I could say it grabbed me from the beginning but there was definitely a momentum to the story that kept me reading. And the writing was great.

Karol wrote: "Dennis Lahane - I agree with you that he is such a good author. However, I found the books The Given Day and Shutter Island to be so wrenching and as you put it "harsh"...."

This was the first book by Lahane that I have read. I would like to read more but like you say the timing will need to be right. There was a lot of violence and desolation.

Bill wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Rolling on!

#107 Murder Mystery Book Club For my IRL book club. A short little cozy mystery that takes place in Key We..."

You should definitely work it in Bill. The Thursday Murder Club rocks!

Congrats on finishing the list Lillie! Looks like you read some great books in spite of the 1.5 star at the end.

Thanks, Ioana, Lillie and Alondra! I've really enjoyed these short challenges this year too. I think I finally figured out how to pick the books and how to keep myself coming back to the list. Maybe I can do it again in 2024. Either way its been fun!

Ioana wrote: "Wow! The way you're going, I think you'll have time for another list. Or just pick a series and finish it.
Then we'll crown you queen of the series and humbly bow 🤣"

No more lists for 2023. I'm going to join the rest of you extreme list makers and plan out 2024.

Rolling on!

#107 Murder Mystery Book Club For my IRL book club. A short little cozy mystery that takes place in Key West. A place I've always wanted to visit. 3 stars. ebook. Mystery-Cozy.

#108 The Bullet That Missed A delight! I love these octogenarian detectives. 4 stars. Audiobook. Mystery/Thriller.

#109 The Rewind Cute romance. Former lovers return to their college alma mater to celebrate the wedding of old friends and wake up together with no memory of the night before. Predictable but enjoyable. 3 stars. Audiobook. Romance-Comedy.

#110 Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup A reread for my IRL book club. The story of Elizabeth Holmes and the Theranos debacle. Mind boggling. 4 stars. Audiobook. Nonfiction.

#111 Small Mercies A gritty story about a mother seeking vengence for the death of her daughter. The story was harsh but the characters were wonderful. This was the first Dennis Lehane book that I have read. He is a gifted writer. 4 stars. Audiobook. Mystery.

#112 High Five Stephanie Plum, you just have to enjoy this series. It is so much fun. The love triangle is ramping up in this one and things are getting interesting. 3 stars. Paperback. Mystery.

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 15
4 stars - 52
3 stars - 41
2 stars - 4

Current
Warrior Girl Unearthed Audiobook.
Night Train to Lisbon ebook.

Only two more to go! Oh yeah!

Sakes alive! Finished with High Five

Business is slow and to make ends meet Stephanie begins working for Ranger. On the side she is searching for her missing Uncle Fred. It gets complicated but Stephanie manages to bust a money laundering scam, find poor Uncle Fred and resolve a scary stalker situation. All with the help of her zany friends new and old. Also as things cool down with Morelli things heat up with Ranger. Good thing Stephanie always gets her man. Question is which one?

I do love this series. It's nothing but book candy but when I'm in the mood for fun it satisfies my sweet tooth. I think the side characters are as much fun as Stephanie herself. I hope some of the new ones in this book show up again. I don't know how I feel about ramping up the love triangle. I can't say that I'm team Morrelli or team Ranger. I guess I'll just have to keep reading until either Stephanie or I make up our mind.

3 Grandma Mazur fangirl stars.

Quotes I liked:

“Almost everybody I know has died,” Grandma said. “Bunch of wimps.”
― Janet Evanovich, High Five


“You gonna take the case?"

It's not a case. It's a missing person. Sort of."

You're gonna have a devil of a time finding him if it was aliens," Grandma said.”
― Janet Evanovich, High Five

Just started reading High Five. Stephanie is just as hilarious as always.

Denise wrote: "Belated congrats on finishing early! Looks like you enjoyed most of your list -- that's a win!"

Thanks Denise. I'm usually not one to complete a list. It's been a good reading year.

Bill wrote: "Longmire is an excellent series. I enjoyed the TV series just as much. I'm glad you enjoyed the 2nd Monk and Robot book too. I agree so much that it just leaves you feeling nice by the end."

It does. I love it when that happens with a book!

Continuing to think about Stephen King and his short stories or novellas if you prefer. My top three would be Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption; Mr. Harrigan's Phone; and The Mist. What would yours be?

Seconds anyone?

#104 Death Without Company The second in the Longmire series. I enjoyed it just as much as the first. Sheriff Longmire may be my new favorite cowboy. Great writing in this series and a fun cast of characters. 4 stars. Audiobook. Mystery.

#105 The Brass Verdict Also the second in the series. Mickey inherits a big case but like everything else there is a catch. 4 stars. ebook. Mystery/Legal Thriller

#106 Skeleton Crew I think Stephen King writes the best in short story form. In fact, I think he is one of the best modern short story writers. It was the second time around for me on some of these stories but it didn't affect my enjoyment at all. I particularly enjoyed "The Mist". The audiobook production was also top notch with a stellar cast of readers. 5 stars. Audiobook. Horror/Great King

Star Tally 2023
5 stars - 15
4 stars - 49
3 stars - 38
2 stars - 4

Current:
The Murder Mystery Book Club ebook. For my IRL book club.
The Bullet That Missedaudiobook. The gang is back and up to it's old high jinks.
Night Train to Lisbon ebook. Slogging along with this one.