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

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

Woohoo! Way to go Lea!

Ioana wrote: "Keep adding, that's what I'm doing too. TBR gets bigger and bigger, I thought I'd only need a couple of lives to finish it, but I think I'll need a lot more than that 🤣"

I'm actually an Airborn fan club of one Ioana so welcome to the group. I loved this cheesy little story. I loved it even more because I listened to the audio which reminded me of an old time radio show. Yes, it made the cheese even cheesier, and I thought it was great. I tried to get my family to listen to it and they did not love it. :( I went through the whole trilogy and loved it all the way. It read like an old fasioned Disney movie. The kind they made in the 60's and 70's. So much fun! Glad you liked it! Maybe you should put in a request at your library they might pick up the other two.

Oh now, Michelle, would I do that? I think you mean Alondra. :0)


I think you and Alondra are double teaming us now actually!

What an interesting list Bill but a huge one. I can only assume that you are secretly trying to add as many books as possible to all of our TBR's. It's working!

Looks like you are having a good reading month Lea. I also enjoyed the audiobook Sadie and like you I was OK with the ending. It was a really well-done audiobook. I'm glad you enjoyed All The Pretty Horses. You were right to listen to it and not read it. McCarthy does not use punctuation and it drives me crazy. He writes beautifully but unfortunately that is about as cheerful as he gets. I went into that book planning to read the whole series. That was as far as I got. It is a great title though, isn't it?

I read this book several years ago and absolutely loved it. The salad scene will live in my memory forever. I'd love to hear what others think about it as they read.

My husband took me to the bookstore on our date night and I spent my birthday gift card on the next two Jack Reacher books. I'm going to try to hold them until vacation but that is three weeks away. It's going to be hard.

Patricia wrote: "I've heard you don't need to read The Glass Hotel first to read this, but others recommend reading it first.
Thoughts from anyone who has read them both?"

I don't think reading The Glass Hotel first is at all necessary but if you did read The Glass Hotel first this will make you feel a little better about it.

Lea wrote: "So pleased to hear that Emily Henry finally wrote a book with a title that works. I will have to pick that one up one of these days."

I'm a little bummed about the title actually. I thought she was going to be the author that I always liked the story but always hated the title. If I'm honest it's the reason I read this one, to see if the title would be another one that just didn't really work. She came through this time but I will probably read her next one too just to see if she gets the title right. Most people probably don't care but I like a good title. In the same way some people read a book because of a great cover, I am likely to read one because of a great title.

Reading my way through the Cuban communist take over with Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy. Excellent memoir.

I've been reading and life-ing but not posting on this thread so I'm going to try to catch up.

#64 The Candy House Speculative fiction, interconnected short stories. Really a good book and good writing. The overall plot that connected the stories is difficult to explain but I'm going to include a quote here that at least explains the book's title. I was curious about that so I'm assuming others are too. “Nothing is free! Only children expect otherwise even as myths and fairy tales warn us: Rumpelstiltskin, King Midas, Handsel and Gretel. Never trust a candy house! It was only a matter of time before someone made them pay for what they thought they were getting for free.” ebook. 3 stars. Speculative fiction/Short Stories.

#65 Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy If you've been reading this thread you know it took me forever to finish this book, not because it was bad just the opposite. It was excellent and beautifully written. The memoir of a man who left Cuba for the U.S. when he was a child. His memories of Cuba and of the communist takeover were fascinating. Each chapter was almost like a standalone story, allowing me to read this book like a box of chocolates instead of a poptart. Paperback. 4 stars. Nonfiction/Memoir.

#66 Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Memoir Sadly, this book did not live up to expectations on really any level. I gave it 3 stars mainly to be nice because I like Wil Wheaton and his outspoken views on the Geek culture and anti bullying. I still like that about him but, sorry bro, this book did not work. Audiobook. 3 stars that probably should have been 2. Nonfiction/Memoir

#67 Nowhere Girl: A Memoir of a Fugitive Childhood Another alleged memoir that did not work. This would have been a fascinating piece of fiction but I have to fall into the category of readers who did not buy that it was nonfiction. I don't know why it was marketed this way. I just know it didn't ring true. Audiobook. 2 stars unmitigated by politeness. Nonfiction(supposedly)/Memoir(questionable)

#68 Book Lovers Now this one I loved. It was funny, sweet with witty banter and a really nice sister story on the side. Also a shout out to Emily Henry for finally having a title that really worked. They were lovers and they loved books. I can go along with that one. Audiobook. 4 stars. Romantic Comedy.

#69 Delay, Don't Deny: Living an Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle Another intermittent fasting book by Gin Stephens. If you are interested in that topic her books are excellent and practical. ebook. 4 stars. Nonfiction/Health.

#70 Killing Floor I watched the series, Reacher, which was based on this book on Prime. I really enjoyed the character and thought I would check out the book. I enjoyed every page even though the series was pretty true to the book. The character reminds me oddly of Murderbot. I think I've found my newest unfinished series and I must not be the only one because the wait list on Overdrive for #2 is huge. I may have to break down and buy another paperback so I can read it on vacation. Reacher is cool! Paperback. 4 stars. Mystery/Thriller.

#71 North and South Finally I understand why everyone loves Elizabeth Gaskell. So glad I finally read this classic romance. Audiobook. 4 stars. Classic Fiction.

#72 The Kaiju Preservation Society This was just pure fun. Think Jurassic Park meets The Big Bang Theory. ebook. 4 stars. Fantasy/Alternate Universe.

72 books/8808 pages

Current:

The Atlas Six Audiobook.
The Reading List (2nd time for my RL book club) ebook.
Cloud Cuckoo Land Just dipped a toe into this one but liking it so far. Hardcover.

Lea wrote: "I'm glad you enjoyed North and South. It's one of my favorites. If you haven't watched the mini series, it's good too.

Mr. Thornton is one of the only heroes in literature that tell..."

Mr. Thornton pretty much tells off everybody and then Miss Hale tells him off. I actually loved his mother she was hardcore. I'll have to look for the miniseries.

I finished listening to North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell last week and I'm just getting a chance to review it. This is the story of the unlikely romance of Margaret Hale and John Thornton. These two opinionated lovers thrown together by circumstances seem bound to forever misunderstand each other. Each judging the other without fully understanding the circumstances but finding themselves falling in love nevertheless. Of course, in the end both parties see their error and a happy ending ensues. The background of the story is equally interesting, contrasting the sophisticated city life and/or beautiful country life of the South of England vs. the fast-paced, factory oriented life of the North.

This was the first time I have read Elizabeth Gaskell but I'm so glad I didn't miss this classic. I must say in spite of a slow start this book lived up to the hype from my Goodreads friends. Gaskell's characters are vibrant and compelling. They draw the reader into the story much like John and Margaret are slowly drawn together, almost unwillingly but then with great feeling.

4 classic romance stars

Favorite quotes:

“Oh, Mr. Thornton, I am not good enough!'

'Not good enough! Don't mock my own deep feeling of unworthiness.”
― Elizabeth Gaskell, North and South

“He is my first olive: let me make a face while I swallow it.”
― Elizabeth Gaskell, North and South

“I know you despise me; allow me to say, it is because you do not understand me.”

Lillie wrote: "Books #103-106 Kate Burkholder mystery series by Linda Castillo
[bookcover:Gone Missin..."

I love the Kate Burkholder series too Lillie but like you I wonder about the murder rate in that town. If you're thinking of vacationing in Amish country watch your back.

It's supposed to be fun. We don't have to work it like a job. That takes all the joy out of it. I'm preaching to myself now.

Thanks Alondra!

I have been listening to North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. I have to say I wondered what everyone was talking about with this one at first but the deeper in I get the more attached to these characters I become.

Lillie wrote: "So I'm going to have to try Chris Bohjalian now. Sigh. lol

The Verifiers looks like a fun book. Adding it to my list"

I enjoyed The Verifiers. It read like an updated Agatha Christie.

Lillie wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I loved Firekeeper's Daughter! Glad to see you enjoyed it too. "

I remember you enjoying it and that gave me hope going into it. It really drew me in. Was reading about it after I..."

That is good news! Another Netflix series I can watch with my husband.

Lillie wrote: "2-5 star books back to back!

Book #99 Last Night at the Telegraph Club 5 stars audiobook

Set mostly in the 1950s, we follow 1..."


I loved Firekeeper's Daughter! Glad to see you enjoyed it too.