M’s Comments (group member since May 31, 2022)

M’s comments from the 2025 Reading Challenge group.

Beth, I'm in the same boat as you. About 20% in and not loving the writing structure so finding myself not very engaged so far. I'll only finish because it's short haha but otherwise I think I would have already out this one down.
This genre I like but this one isn't pulling me in like I expected it too.
We'll see how I feel through the back half.

Looking forward to your thoughts Shari!

I like Sept a little more too haha ;)

I'd like to suggest The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo for August or Sept please

Beth, I'm in the same boat! my Libby hold came through early so my goal is to start tomorrow :)

I've never read this author before but the synopsis got me and it popped up in my recommended after reading Wild Dark Shore.

hope it's good :)

Surabhi wrote: "I have been keeping this book on hold because of the size and of course because horror is something I can’t read at all ! But I want to escape from the fear of reading horror. Since someone just me..."
Surabhi, I was a kid my dear :) It was a lot of fun and it developed my taste for reading this genre! Give it a try!

This book changed my life as a kid in the early 90's, lol.
Scared the ever living s*** outta me haha and honestly kick started my love of reading. I haven't read it in decades and currently reading some other King so I can't join in but gosh I hope you all enjoy it!

So glad you both enjoyed it!
I hope you get a chance to read her other works too. Would definitely recommend Migrations

Gosh, the 1949 film was my absolute favorite as a kid. I don't know what's held me back from reading the book all these years!

SarahKat wrote: "M and Beth, I just realized there is a buddy read planned for The Great Alone in July as well as your August one. I'm thinking of just adding both of you to that one and making it a..."

Oh my bad! I should have caught that.
I'll make July work :)

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. I hope you both enjoy it until the end! :)

Hope you get a chance to read it soon Beth! I'm very curious to know what you think!

Suggesting The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah for August

Lorraine wrote: "Wild Dark Shore was my first book by Charlotte McConaghy, but it certainly won’t be my last. I’ve already ordered Once There Were Wolves from my library, and I’m hoping Migrations will win the grou..."

I'm looking forward to seeing how you enjoy her other works Lorraine!
Her stories are so bleak and heartbreaking but there's a lot of beauty in them too.

I've had Richard Power novels on my TBR for ages. This was a good reminder that I need to finally read him!

Finished. And I am CRYING lol
Honestly, if it doesn't make me cry enough to make my dog come over to comfort me, is it even worth 5 stars?
This book is 100% worth the 5 stars in my opinion.
Every character felt real, distinct. I could hear their voices clearly and understand the choices they were making.
(view spoiler)[Hank being alive surprised me. I thought he was dead. Killed by Dom or Raff, I wasn't sure. But I knew he did something to Fen...but again, didn't expect him to try to kill her!! And when he left Orly!! Brooooo. He needed to die. (hide spoiler)]

This and Migrations will be forever in my collection for sure.

"But here is the nature of life. That we must love things with our whole selves, knowing they will die."

I read about half in my first sitting and I'm enjoying this so far. I like all the different perspectives and it feels fast moving with the short chapters even though it's a slow to reveal story so far.
Might finish tonight....will definitely finish this weekend.

I'd like to nominate The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia -
connection to the theme is this is a "reimagining of H.G Wells "The Island of Dr. Moreau"

I'd like to join you for Dark Matter in August

I'd like to suggest The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro for July or August

LinaVer wrote: "M wrote: "Well it's a beautiful Sunday here in Southern California. The sun is shining and it feels like the perfect afternoon to start this.
If you're like me and need a good playlist that matche..."

I'm glad you enjoy it Lina :)
I also found this playlist on Spotify that is pretty magical to listen to while reading Piranesi (or anything else really) if you're into that sort of thing :)
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0vX...

Took my sweet, sweet time and savored every page.
This was my second time reading Piranesi and it will certainly not be my last. I love it. I freaking love it.
That's it :) That's all I can say.
This is my perfect book.

"The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite."

I finished this early this morning and have been sitting around, thinking of how best to rate it.
The longer I sit with it, the more I think I liked it.
Thick in atmosphere, the structure and writing style kept me from really falling into this one and it took me a little bit to settle into.
A solid 3.5 though.
(view spoiler)[I'm only disappointed in that we didn't get more development in Janet. So much of her I found myself relating too but it's like we never got close enough to her to really get me to care in the end. (hide spoiler)]

"She would live out her days at Auchnasaugh, a bookish spinster attended by cats and parrots, until that time when she might become ethereal, pure spirit untainted by the woes of flesh, a phantom drifting with the winds. What fun she would have as a ghost. She could hardly wait."