Jennifer’s Comments (group member since Dec 03, 2021)

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

It does indeed, Laurel.

@Rhonda: pffffffft.

Nothing wrong with silly if you're in the mood for it, Lea!

Finished which was exhaustive but not exhausting. William Manchester has a way of writing nonfiction that makes you forget it's nonfiction. His should be required reading.

Ugh ugh ugh, Rhonda! You are not good for my TBR.

LOL Yes, a longer list is exactly what's called for.... I just checked and I've only knocked out six or so, so far -- not very good given that it's already July! I suspect I'll agree with you about Sister Stardust: I keep reading the blurb and choosing something else.

I just started mine. It's a tome: 700 pgs OR 33 hours audible...

Yes! One of the reasons the donut shop series flagged for me after awhile was Suzanne seemed to bow up about the same things book after book after book, and there was always this brattiness about it in the later books -- like the author was including it because it was expected but wasn't really investing much in it. How about having her grow a little and get over it?

We were just talking in another group about how some series stay vibrant after the first dozen or so entries, and others seem to lose some of their luster.

Oates is always very hit or miss with me. Think I'll give this one a miss. Thank you for the feedback, Diana!

That's a good one, Diana.

Please nominate a genre for August 2024 in this thread, if you would like to. The only rule for genre nominations is that you cannot nominate a genre that we've already read this calendar year.

Not planning to be a huge stickler on the "genre vs subgenre" thing. If it's a recognized book category (i.e. you can reasonably expect the average Goodreads reader to know what it is), post it.

Nominations open until 7/14, poll to follow.

If you want to see examples of genres and subgenres that Goodreads has some lists for, or figure out where a book/style of book you like happens to fit, try this link:

Goodreads Genres

Genres already chosen this year:
January - Science Fiction
February - Romance
March - Mystery
April - Historical Fiction
May -- Nonfiction
June -- Thriller
July -- Fantasy

Persuasive words, Pam. I'm hoping to get my hands on this soon.

Good plan, Pam!

Lance wrote: "or should I say cleaver?..."

Oh, CLEAVER of course, Lance. Clever is SO passé. Good picks!

Time to pick! Pairs are in post 1.


Jackie! and how I envy you having Louise Penny in your future!

The winning genre for July 2024 is FANTASY. Looking forward to seeing your picks!

This is getting very little traction and, worse, I keep forgetting to do it. I'm going to close this down so I can keep our other, more popular group activities going.

The NF read, the moderator recommends, the genre focus, and the commit to one book monthly are all getting more attention than this has. :)

I am chomping at the bit for this book!

The Guncle Abroad
Steven Rowley

Patrick O'Hara is called back to his guncle duties . . . This time for a big family wedding in Italy.

Patrick O’Hara is back. It’s been five years since his summer as his niece Maisie and nephew Grant’s caretaker after their mother’s passing. The kids are back in Connecticut with their dad, and Patrick has relocated to New York to remain close by and relaunch his dormant acting career. After the run of his second successful sit-com comes to a close, Patrick feels on top of the world . . . professionally. But some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single again after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has a family to lean on. Until that family needs to again lean on him.

When Patrick's brother, Greg, announces he’s getting remarried in Italy, Maisie and Grant are not thrilled. Patrick feels drawn to take the two back under his wing. As they travel through Europe on their way to the wedding, Patrick tries his best to help them understand love, much as he once helped them comprehend grief. But when they arrive in Italy, Patrick is overextended managing a groom with cold feet; his sister, Clara, flirting with guests left and right; a growing rivalry with the kids’ charming soon-to-be-launt (lesbian aunt), and two moody young teens trying to adjust to a new normal, all culminating in a disastrous rehearsal dinner.

Can Patrick save the day? Will teaching the kids about love help him repair his own love life? Can the change of scenery help Patrick come to terms with finally growing up?

Gracing the work with his signature blend of humor and heart, Steven Rowley charms with a beloved story about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty.

Got it, Lance!