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

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

Ioana wrote: "Six of Crows....Six of Crows....everybody seems to read it this year. It's on my TBR, but I've avoided it for years. I might give it a try someday. Maybe.

All the President's Men. On my TBR too, b..."

I don't know if you are the only one listening at normal speed; I just know that the more you listen to audiobooks the more you speed them up. I know I'm not the only one this has happened to. I may slow one down to normal for a few chapters if there is an accent or the recording is very quiet but I usually find myself ramping it back up once I have adapted to the narrator. Try it but be careful you can never go back.

Ioana wrote: "I haven't been here in a long time, wow! You're doing great and reading some very good books.
I'm very glad to see you enjoyed Chris Bohjalian's new book, it's on my TBR. I did not love all his bo..."

Ok, thanks Ioana, now that one is on my TBR! LOL. Not that it takes much to add a book to that never-ending list.

Bill wrote: "I know I shouldn't do it but I did it again! The wife and I were out for ice creams and then went wandering around the mall. While she was looking in a neat little clothes shop I visited Books4Brai..."

Because books only come in bunches. I guess that's the way we book addicts like it.

Lea wrote: "You're doing great! I always love to read your reviews. I have not read anything by Bohjalian, but I have looked at a lot of his books and yes! I think he might be a chameleon. I cannot get a sense..."

Thanks Lea! You should give Bohjalian a try sometime. I would make a recommendation, but which book you would like best would really vary according to your reading preferences and mood. He always has a really interesting premise and he is a good writer so he usually pulls it off. The one that sticks with me most is Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands but I think that is because parts of the book read like an apocalypse novel even though there was no apocalypse.

Thanks Carol! It helps that reading is one way I maintain sanity.

Three new audiobooks down

#61 The Lioness I think Chris Bohjalian is part chameleon. Every book of his I have read has been so different from any other book and is usually a different take on whatever genre he is writing. This historical fiction was the story of a group of sixties Hollywood actors on safari in Africa where things go incredibly wrong. In spite of the plot, I would say this was more character study than thriller. Still very entertaining. Maybe more effective read than listened to just because there were so many POVs. Audiobook. 3 stars. Historical Fiction.

#62 The Paris Diversion This was a sequel to The Expats and it was great to revisit this bad ass spy mom main character. Audiobook. 3 stars. Thriller/Spy.

#63 The Verifiers I truly enjoyed this traditional closed door mystery updated for the internet generation. The main character works for a company that verifies online matches that their clients meet through dating websites. Soon though she goes rogue and begins some investigations of her own. Audiobook. 3 stars. Mystery.

63 books/7467 pages

Current (Not much change here):
Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy Paperback. Made an effort to finish this one last weekend but had to go to a family wedding so I didn't make it. So close.
The Candy House ebook. Working to finish this one before it goes back to the library. Fingers crossed.
Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Memoir Audiobook. Frankly regretting I started this one but soldiering through. Dude!!

It looks like you had a great month Bill with more great books to come. I'm glad we finally harrassed...ahem...I mean persuaded you to read Ready Player One. Hope you enjoy! You've got several good ones coming up and of course you just put a new one on my TBR. I enjoy Jo Walton so I'm adding Farthing to my list.

I love your comments about Empire of Pain. I listen at about 1.5 speed most of the time so when I try to listen with a family member they get very upset until I slow it down to normal speed. They literally slow me down. I love sharing an audiobook on a long car ride but I do get impatient with the slow mode.

Ioana wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I finished Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by [author:Patric..."

Shocking wasn't it? My Goodreads friends have led me to so many good nonfiction books in recent years. I used to read nonfiction only rarely but now I love discovering so many fascinating and amazing true stories that I never would have known about. Your reviews of this one are definitely what put it on my list. Great recommend!

Traveling back to Europe to add The Paris Diversion . A thrill ride from start to finish.

#10 The Lioness takes me to Tanzania, Africa on safari.

Yes! Definitely the kind of advertising I would like to see more of. And book trailers on TV ads. Not that I need help finding more books to read.

I enjoyed this one. I thought the story was in general similar to The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by the same author. I enjoyed that book too but it seems the author sticks to the same formula. The world building in this book did set it apart somewhat. The concept of shadows with magic and their own conscientiousness was interesting. I liked all the main characters as well. Much seems to have been made of the fact that this is an "adult" book. The sex and violence level was definitely adult but plotwise I'm not sure there was a lot of difference between this and most YA.

Thanks Bill. At other times in my life I have been devoted to a single genre, but I find now, that I like to visit all my former genre obsessions from time to time. It makes my list look more eclectic but it also makes it more fun.

Turning south on my roadtrip with The Book Woman's Daughter taking me to Kentucky and The Homewreckers taking me to Savannah, Georgia.

So many new reads to report.

#56 Book of Night Holly Black creates a world where shadows have magic and a life of their own. I enjoyed the characters and the world building in this one. It was a little gory. The storyline reminded me a lot of The Coldest Girl in Coldtown which I enjoyed. I will look for the sequel which I assume is coming. Audiobook. 3 stars. Fantasy.

#57 The Homewreckers Mary Kay Andrews returns to Savannah for another of her fun southern tales. This one features the strong southern belle she writes best and includes plenty of romance, mystery, interior design, antiques, food and laughs. Loved it! ebook. 4 stars. Fiction/RomCom/Mystery.

#58 The Book Woman's Daughter A sweet sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. A young woman fights against prejudice and bigotry to win her independence. I really love how Kim Michele Richardson does historical fiction. Audiobook. 4 stars. Historical Fiction.

#59 Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases I have to say I did not love this one. I want to be fair though, the writer really brings home the point about the personal sacrifices our law enforcement agents make in order to see justice done. That said there was maybe a tad too much personal information here and not enough about the crimes. The science was fascinating but a little under played. I think overall balance was the issue. Audiobook. 3 stars. Nonfiction/True Crime.

#60 Alexa, what is there to know about love? A perfect collection of funny, light-hearted poetry. Just what I needed. Audiobook. 4 stars. Poetry.

60 books/7431 pages

Current:
Waiting for Snow in Havana: Confessions of a Cuban Boy Paperback. I was making great progress on this one last weekend. Really I was. But then my husband and I saw that Netflix had dropped the new season of Stranger Things and suddenly my evening reading time disappeared. I will get back to it as soon as we have finished the season which won't be long I'm afraid.
The Candy House ebook. Jennifer Egan always a treat.
The Lioness Audiobook. I'm fascinated with Chris Bohjalian. Everything I read of his is good but every book is so different from the one before.

You had a great reading month anyway Lillie. Lots of really great books on that list. Glad you are feeling better!

Adding #9 Memoirs of a Geisha. Japan's culture and history are highlighted in this modern day classic.

Lillie wrote: "Michelle wrote: "#54 Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden Memoirs of a Geisha The tale of a young girl sold into slavery who struggles to become a Geisha and then to live on her own terms. This was..."

Same Lillie. I'm glad I finally included it on my challenge this year. It is one of those not-to-be-missed books.

Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "#52 My Heart Is a Chainsaw Loved this horror novel by Stephen Graham Jones. Horror movie classics and thei..."

This was good but I actually thought The Only Good Indians by the same author was even better. In either case he really knows how to amp up the creep factor.