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

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

And last but not least City of Ink

Li Du's talent for stumbling onto a crime scene and then brilliantly solving the case continues. This time Li Du is back in the capitol and in the Emperor's good graces when he happens upon the murder of two lovers and refuses to accept the easy answers as to how it happened. His relentless pursuit of this crime leads him closer to the truth that he really needs. What is the secret behind the events that led to his former banishment?

This final installment of the Li Du series not only wraps up the ongoing mystery behind the previous novels but it also leaves us with and open ending. Will we hear more from Li Du and his storyteller sidekick Hamas? I hope so. So that I can read the beautiful descriptions of ancient China, if for no other reason. One can almost feel the breeze through the plum trees and hear the splash of the garden fountain.

4 what a finale stars!

Favorite quotes:

Light entered through this window, delivered by the day like an afterthought.

One cannot write the whole truth, even with an ink pot as deep as the sea.

Lea wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Yes, I have, and enjoyed them both. I've read The Bean Trees before GR, so before 2008, and Pigs in Heaven in 2008. At the time I thought these were both stand alones, even though the..."

You guys are really messing with my head now. I read Poisonwood Bible and hated it. A lot. I very hesitantly read the Bean Tree books and enjoyed them both. I was leery of Demon Copperhead but everyone on Goodreads raved about it. So I put it on my TBR. Now Lea sort of hated it so...... Kingslover to read or not to read?

Glad you liked TVC. It wasn't perfect but it really draws you in.

I was mesmerized reading this book and like you I wondered why we haven't heard more about it. Really interesting.

Alissa wrote: " BOOK 67

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova



5 STARS

This is the perfect example of not letting those physical TBR books sit on yo..."

I am always hesitant to read Lisa Genova for some reason, yet the two that I have read (Left Neglected was one of them) left me feeling just as you describe above. Maybe it was because both times I felt like I might have had the symptoms described even though in both cases it was impossible. She really brings out my neurotic side.

Ioana wrote: "Lea wrote: "At the library a couple of years ago, one of the rooms had been reserved for a group entitled the "Toilet Texters." I'm still unclear about the agenda of that group, but was also curiou..."

Too funny! I can't believe you didn't attend one of their meetings just to find out what that was about.

Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "#56 The Galaxy, and the Ground Within Becky Chambers cleverly writes satisfying SciFi that s..."

You do! It might have been my favorite of the series but I think I said that about every one of them.

Lillie wrote: "Book #4 Happy Place 2.5 stars print

I've enjoyed Emily Henry's previous novels. They've been good beach reads, easy and fun to read. Figured this o..."

Yikes it sounds like another mis-named Emily Henry book where the happy place really isn't happy.

Alissa wrote: "Completed Book #8!

The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton



4 STARS
Book

This book would have never been on my radar if it..."


So that just went on the hold list.

Ioana wrote: "The People We Keep I have mixed feelings about this book. April's life was hard and I try to understand her life choices but sex and a relationship with a 27 year old man is a hard..."

I felt similarly about TPWK. Not a bad story but at times a really uncomfortable story. Overall the relationships were cringy particularly the one you mention.

#61 The Story of Arthur Truluv Wonderful story of a troubled young girl who is befriended by a widower and a retired school teacher just when they all most need a friend. This book was well written and has all the feels. I will continue the series. 4 lunch at the graveyard stars. ebook. Contemporary Fiction.

#62 Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully An interesting and encouraging book but the author really concentrates on the big picture. Exercise, eat better, get plenty of sleep. Not a lot of information on the details. Specifically, more information on actual mobility exercises would have helped. 3 stars. Audiobook. Nonfiction-Health.

#63 Station Eternity I read Mur Lafferty's previous book Six Wakes. I enjoyed that one but I enjoyed this one much more. The characters, the mystery and the world building were all much more interesting in this one. I look forward to the next book in the series. My one criticism after reading both books is that the author has an unfortunate tendency for long detailed backstory. When there are multiple POV's this can be offputting. 4 alien symbiosis stars. Audiobook. SciFi/Mystery.

Star Tally 2023

5 stars - 11
4 stars - 28
3 stars - 22
2 stars - 2

Current:
City of Ink ebook.
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity audioboook.

Ignoring:
A Suitable Boy
Before the Coffee Gets Cold

Alissa wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Thanks Alondra. I'm actually considering a follow-up list but that's just too crazy for me."

No it's noooooooooooooot. do it do it do it

GO MICHELLE GO"

You're all enablers! But I've actually already made a list. I'm just tweaking it until I get the first two lists finished. There are worse addictions that books right?

Thanks Alondra! I'm still reading the last one so I don't want to jinx it but I'm really proud. I've read all twelve of my challenge before but I've never read all 16.

Alissa wrote: "Started . Should be an interesting dystopian novel, as it takes place in Florida and that's where I am =)"

Oooh! I've had my eye on this one. I'll be watching for your review.

Alissa wrote: "Amazing job Michelle!!"

Thanks Alissa! This just seems to be a reading year for me. Actually, maybe I should say a listening year. Many of these have been audiobooks.

#19 Touring through Central America with Solito. A moving true life story.

I've started City of Ink. Winding up the series and this challenge.

Second to last! The Story of Arthur Truluv

Arthur has been "having lunch" with his wife at the cemetery every day since she passed away. During one of their lunches he befriends a troubled young girl. He introduces her to his neighbor who is also going through a rough spot and the trio of friends weather the storms of life together, changing thier lives for the better.

Despite being short this meditation on life, love and friendship packs a big emotional punch. The three friends in the story discover the life changing value of love and friendship. The book also emphasizes the value of every life, no matter the age or circumstances everyone can matter. The message coupled with a complete cast Elizabeth Berg's trademark true-to-life characters make this book a delight. It was not necessarily a happy book, but it was a life affirming book. I look forward to more in the series. These books will be great when I need a positive, upbeat read.

4 what the world needs now stars.

Favorite quotes:

“No, love is never foolish. Or unnecessary”
― Elizabeth Berg, The Story of Arthur Truluv

“Everybody makes mistakes, sometimes even before we get up in the morning. We can’t help but make mistakes. The important thing is to keep trying. And to apologize when you need to.”
― Elizabeth Berg, The Story of Arthur Truluv

“aging means the abandonment of criticism and the taking on of compassionate acceptance.”
― Elizabeth Berg, The Story of Arthur Truluv

I so love all the characters in the No. 1 Ladies Detective agency series. I really need to get back to them but I will confess that I no longer know which ones I have read and which ones I haven't.

I know right? Crazy!