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

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

“Reading love stories isn’t frivolous. It’s profound. It’s not escape, it’s the opposite. Trust me, and trust yourself: love stories are the best kinds of therapy. They aren’t shallow, they’re deep. Start looking and you’ll see it, too. Love stories make us better at love. In all directions. And getting better at love of course, means getting better at life.”
― Katherine Center, The Love Haters

#84 Good Girl, Bad Blood The first book in this series by Holly Jackson was great. It had a few flaws but overall great. This second in the series not so great. More flaws, less believable motivation, more unbelievable coincidence. In spite of that, the ending was pretty good so 3 sorry that this one was just OK stars. YA/Suspense.

#85 The Love Haters Sooo good! I always enjoy Katherine Center but this book was probably her best. I would recommend reading it based on the author's note alone. 5 yes, it's that good stars. Romance.

#86 As Good As Dead What the heck happened to this series???!!! I didn't love the beginning of book 3 but in spite of all the flaws I was willing to stick it out. Then for a few pages about halfway through it became nail biting and I thought OK here we go. Then BAM! Pippa went to the dark side and the remainder of the book was a long string of idiotic and unbelievable teen drama nonesense. Don't start this series. You will be destined for disappointment. 2 Ravi needs to get a new girlfriend ASAP stars. Audiobook. YA????????????/Suspense.

Current:
Abundance Something very different to clear my head from the last one.
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil Not really far in but enjoying it so far.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Back from the library . I'm going to give it another go.

“People in good relationships had to appreciate each other—say thank you, give compliments, notice what their partner was getting right—in ways that created a cushion of warmth and kindness that eased everything else.”
― Katherine Center, The Love Haters

Saw this quote on facebook and just had to share it here.

"One parent could get my poetry banned from classrooms. And yet one country can't ban assault rifles from massacring them."
-Amanda Gorman, Poet

Ioana wrote: "Oooh, I want to read both James and the new Backman book, so good to hear you've enjoyed both!"

I'm looking forward to your reviews Ioana. I hope you enjoy them both.

Jackie wrote: "I read Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn before reading James as it had been TOO many years. I'm glad I did, but you don't have to."

I admire your commitment, Jackie. I'm sure it added to your James experience. I have to admit that I was unsure about reading James to begin with so the re-reads were just a bit much for me. I just plunged right in.

Laurel wrote: "Lillie wrote: "I usually do read the original before books based on the book.... Any advice?"

My bookclub is reading James for Sept. and I am planning on reading Huckleberry Finn ..."

I don't think you can go wrong with the background reading but I don't think it is a must for enjoying James and understanding what the author is trying to convey.

Lillie wrote: "I loved My Friends as well but I'm such an avoider of sad books that I kicked and screamed through the first third. With that said, Fredrik Backman is a wonderful ..."


Should you read Huck Finn before reading James? My first reaction is yes but that might not be fair. James is a standalone story and you will probably enjoy it whether you read Huck Finn or not. It does dove tail in with the Twain version in a way that is really smart and impressive. Also, I felt like the version from James' POV did make some subtle statements about the original book in addition to the obvious ones. I say all of that, but I have not read Huck Finn in years so I'm sure that my memories are not terribly detailed. I felt that I was still able to appreciate James so maybe a good overall understanding of the plot is all that is necessary.

Also, in response to My Friends being sad. I want to say for everyone else reading this that it was sad, but the ending was not sad as much as it was positive and hopeful. I want to emphasize that because like you for a large part of the book I was afraid that things would end badly, and I would have to hate this book forever. Didn't happen.

“So, in case you are wondering, every line of this book is true, and you can check the notes if you wish to review the source material.”
― Larry Loftis, Code Name: Lise

83 books
7112 pages

65 audiobooks
18 print

#80 My Friends Such a wonderful life affirming book by Fredrik Backman. While it is a tear jerker, you will feel so much better about the world after you read it. 5 I highly recommend stars. Contemporary Fiction.

#81 James The main character is Jim from Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This is his story. Not a fun read but a good one. 4 Pulitzer prize winner stars. Literary Fiction.

#82 A Good Girl's Guide to Murder A high school senior takes on a cold case from her hometown as her senior project. 4 fun twists and turns stars. Mystery.

#83 Code Name: Lise: The True Story of the Woman Who Became WWII's Most Highly Decorated Spy A true story of spy craft during WWII that reads just like historical fiction. 4 romance and danger stars. Nonfiction-History.

Current:
Good Girl, Bad Blood
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

“With my pencil, I wrote myself into being.”
― Percival Everett, James

“Real men wear floral when trespassing”
― Holly Jackson, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

“If you only get a few summer days like that you’re truly lucky, if you only find one friend like that you’re insanely fortunate.”
― Fredrik Backman, My Friends

Nice month Alissa! Looks like you read some great stuff.

Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "

60 audiobooks
16 print

#72 Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Where the Crawdads Sing An absolutely beautiful book about an abandoned young girl who grows up on her own in t..."


Thanks Alondra! I feel better knowing I'm not the last. I was stubborn about this book but it really is worth the read. Hope you can get to it after the fields are harvested. I'd love to hear what you think.

Glad you enjoyed it Bill. I just saw it. Beautiful animation. Beautiful story.

“I suppose there is really only one place to go. The library.
What is it about books that helps us be brave?" -Beatrice”
― Allie Millington, Olivetti

79 books
6414 pages

62 audiobooks
17 print

#77 Olivetti This sad/sweet little book much of which is told from the POV of an Olivetti typewriter stole my heart. A beautiful story about family, friends and letting others in. A great audio production with Simon Vance as Olivetti. Nice one. 5 listening and caring stars. Fiction/Children (but really for everybody.).

#78 Strangers in Time David Baldacci writes historical fiction with this WWII tale. Two children orphaned by the blitz find help and comfort in a bookshop and its eccentric owner. 3 gas masks and bombshelters stars. Historical Fiction.

#79 Crown of Midnight The second in the series does not disappoint. I think the second book is actually more interesting than the first as more questions are answered and the characters make decisions that will determine where the story goes from here. 4 magic in the mix stars. Fantasy.

Current:
The Selected Poetry Back on the hold list. I can't seem to finish this one but I'll give it another try when the library sends it back to me.
James Recommended by my son and oh yes, a Pulitzer Prize winner of course.
My Friends Wow! This one grabbed me from the start. I hope my heart can take it.

“Humans make poor gods. We’re just not up to it.”
― David Baldacci, Strangers in Time

“To dream is often to deceive oneself. We may dream so often about another sort of life that we forget to live the one that we already possess.”
― David Baldacci, Strangers in Time

My grandson is finishing up #3, so I'm sure it will be heading my way soon. It's such a fun series. Have you watched the movie?

I really loved WTCS Lillie. I hope you do too.

How do you explain to someone else why a thing matters to you if it doesn’t matter to them? How can you put into words how a book slips inside of you and becomes a part of you so much that your life feels empty without it?”
― Alan Gratz, Ban This Book

76 books
5957 pages

60 audiobooks
16 print

#72 Where the Crawdads Sing An absolutely beautiful book about an abandoned young girl who grows up on her own in the Carolina marshes. I'm probably the last person on earth to read this book but I'm really glad I finally did. 5 unforgettable characters, purposeful suspense, and quiet romance stars. Historical Fiction.

#73 The Ruin of Kings I disliked this book almost as much as I liked the one before it. The fantasy arc of this book was fine but the organization drove me crazy. Multiple narrators all tell the story of the same person but on different timelines. Some narrators don't know what others know and others have forgotten what some of them know and others never knew anything. Confused. So was I. Note to the author: If you have to add a "Forward" at the end of the book (don't get me started on how wrong that is) to explain literally the entire plot maybe rethink how you have structured your book. 2 I was listening to this at 2.5X speed by the end and it was still not fast enough stars. Fantasy.

#74 The Wild Robot Escapes Continuing this cute graphic novel series as Roz works her way back to Brightbill and their island. I enjoyed the second in the series more than the first. 4 wild robot adventures stars. Graphic novel.

#75 Ban This BookA young girl begins her own private protest to books being removed from her school library and it expands to include the entire school. I picked this one up after seeing it in the discussion on the Monthly Genre reading thread. I'm so glad I did. This book would be appropriate reading for children but makes so many good points about the book banning issue that I would encourage others to read it as well. More than anything it presents good constructive ways to respond to book banning. 4 encourage understanding, don't just fan the flames stars. Children.

#76 The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road E.A. Hanks channels shades of Didion and Steinbeck as she uses a roadtrip to reconnect herself to her past and her country. A memoir that I connected to on so many points in spite of having such a very different life experience. 4 adventures of self discovery stars. Nonfiction-Memoir.

Current:
Olivetti Loving this one.
Edna St. Vincent Millay: Selected Poems: So many poems so little time.
Strangers in Time Good historical fiction.

“I wasn't aware that words could hold so much. I didn't know a sentence could be so full.”
― Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing

That’s what libraries were for: to make sure that everybody had the same access to the same books everyone else did.”
― Alan Gratz, Ban This Book

Bill wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Lillie wrote: "Bill wrote: "So many series I've yet to check out. Gives me more incentive to finish some I've been working on so I can give them a look-see."

I keep seeing new and..."

LOL You are probably right Bill.

Lillie wrote: "Bill wrote: "So many series I've yet to check out. Gives me more incentive to finish some I've been working on so I can give them a look-see."

I keep seeing new and shiny series that I've putting ..."

I remember as a kid going to the library and finding an author I liked and reading everything the library had back to back. Whole series sometimes. I never do that anymore. I wonder why? Too many good books to choose from or a world that moves a lot faster and doesn't leave time to read?

Lillie wrote: "I love this discussion of Daphne du Maurier books. I've read 3 of her books, with Rebecca being one of all time favorite books. Enjoyed both My Cousin Rachel and [book..."

I can't wait to hear what you think Lillie.

Singing the praises of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. A hit no doubt about it.

A young girl is abandoned by her family and shunned by society and is left to survive on her own in the tidal marshes of the costal Carolinas in the 1950's and 1960's. She relies on her marshland home for survival and safety. She does not go to school but learns on her own to read and study the marsh life. A few people seek her out and either become friends or intruders in her isolated world.

Wow! This was one of those books that I resisted reading for so long due to the over-the-top hype that went along with it. I even watched the movie and liked it but still refused to read the book. Why? This book was every bit as good as the hype said it was, and it was better than the movie (no surprise). My heart ached for that girl on so many levels. The underlying themes of loneliness, isolation, and prejudice? Don't get me started. Also, a really good mystery and a sweet romance. I may be the last person on the planet to read this book but I'm really glad I didn't miss it.

5 characters who live life on their own terms stars.

Quotable:

“Sometimes she heard night-sounds she didn’t know or jumped from lightning too close, but whenever she stumbled, it was the land who caught her. Until at last, at some unclaimed moment, the heart-pain seeped away like water into sand. Still there, but deep. Kya laid her hand upon the breathing, wet earth, and the marsh became her mother.”
― Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing

“His dad had told him many times that the definition of a real man is one who cries without shame, reads poetry with his heart, feels opera in his soul, and does what’s necessary to defend a woman.”
― Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing

“Unworthy boys make a lot of noise”
― Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing

“How much do you trade to defeat loneliness?”
― Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing

“Please don't talk to me about isolation. No one has to tell me how it changes a person. I have lived it. I am isolation," Kya whispered with a slight edge.”
― Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing

Such a great series. Comfort reads

Bill wrote: "Michelle wrote: "“It wasn’t that she didn’t like people. It was only that she liked books more.”
― Sarah Beth Durst, The Spellshop

“I can’t lose books; I’d lose me.”
― Sarah Beth Durst, The Spells..."

I hope you enjoy it Bill. It's not high adventure fantasy just good cozy fantasy. Hope you like books, plants and baking.