The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What Are You Reading - Part Deux
Nancy from NJ wrote: "Shary wrote: "Just finished Everything I Never Told You. Loved it. It's about a family in crisis in 70s Ohio. Racism. Secrets. I'm going to start Absolute Fear today...."
Nancy - I really enjoyed it. My favorite so far.
Shary wrote: "Nancy from NJ wrote: "Shary wrote: "Just finished Everything I Never Told You. Loved it. It's about a family in crisis in 70s Ohio. Racism. Secrets. I'm going to start [book:Absolu..."
This was the author's debut book. Can't wait to see what she writes next.
The House Girl by Tara Conklin – 3*** In contemporary New York City, attorney Carolina Sparrow is working on an historic class-action lawsuit seeking reparations for the descendants of American slaves. In 1852, Josephine is a house slave who tends to the mistress of a Virginia tobacco plantation; her mistress is the artist Lu Anne Bell. I loved the sections of the book dealing with Josephine and her struggles. But Conklin alternates chapters and I thought the present-day story weakened the impact of Josephine’s story. Bahni Turpin does a fine job narrating the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton – 3*** Fiona Sweeney is a librarian who accepts a job with a charitable foundation to bring books to the tiny, far-flung communities of northeastern Kenya. That clash of cultures was what was most interesting to me in the book. But Hamilton also includes a couple of relationships that become somewhat entangled in the story. This took the book in a direction I wasn’t expecting and found somewhat dissatisfying.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
After wanting for so many years to read Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, I was very disappointed with my experience of it when I read it recently. I don't know that I've ever come across a book before whose characters were ALL either repugnant or ridiculous in my eyes. I could in all honesty only give the book 3★s.If you're game to read it, here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book Concierge wrote: "The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton – 3*** Fiona Sweeney is a librarian who accepts a job with a charitable foundation to bring books to the tiny, far-flun..."
Actually, I've read a few books where I could not like any of the characters, though none of them fall into the category of "classic." But I know what you mean, I came away from those books wondering 1) why so many other people thought they were so wonderful, and 2) why so many other people found the characters so interesting and "deep" when all I saw was how stupid, selfish, and cruel they were. I've heard all the stuff about Wuthering Heights, about how the characters are so deep and complicated, but my impression is that they're just a bunch of rich snobs with nothing better to do than ruin other people's lives.
Firestorm by Nevada Barr – 3*** This is the 4th mystery in the series featuring U.S. Park Ranger Anna Pigeon. Anna is intelligent, tenacious, strong (in body and mind) and resourceful. I like that the romantic interest is kept mostly off-screen, not distracting from the plot. It’s a good, suspenseful mystery that kept me interested from beginning to end.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm in the middle of Dune Messiah and I also just started reading for something completely different North and South. Both good reads.
this week i finally finished
and
. Both were pretty good but i loved the one better than the host. I am now trying to finish
and i hope to finish it either tonight or tomorrow morning but it depends on how far i get with my english paper. I also want to make some progress with
.
I'm starting The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald today.
I finally finished
and although t was very good it is not one of my favorites. I am now trying to read
and
.
Anne of the Island by L M Montgomery – 4**** I never read these books as a child, but I am certainly enjoying them now. Anne is a marvelously engaging character and the interactions of the college roommates seems spot on perfect for students of that age. Susan O’Malley does a fine job performing the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just started Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and I have a feeling that it's going to be a good read. The first couple of chapters are interesting, I found my way into the atmosphere of the book really quickly.
I am currently reading I Was Here by Gayle Forman. It begins with a very depressing event. I do hope it will pick up in mood but I doubt it.
The New Yorkers by Cathleen Schine – 3*** This is a lovely, quick read – a Valentine to New York City. The characters are charming and sometimes exasperating. The dogs are all loveable (even the one that bites). It’s a year in the life of these lonely people wherein they meet and connect over their beloved pooches. Nicole Roberts does a fine job narrating the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book Concierge wrote: " Anne of the Island by L M Montgomery – 4**** I never read these books as a child, but I am certainly enjoying them now. Anne is a marvelously engaging chara..."
I also came to these books a bit late in life. My mother loved them and kept suggesting I read them but it wasn't until I saw the series on TV that I finally did. No regrets, they were lovely.
I just finished
The Shootist
and am about to start
Crimson Son
. (I seem to be genre-jumping with abandon for no reason at all. And I like it.)
I just finished
and now i will finish
,
and
. I hope to finish at least one of these books by monday since we are supposedly about 4 inches of snow and a little bit of ice with it so i am hoping to have some much needed time to read. :)
I recently read and loved The Vanishing Witch by Karen Maitland. It is unusual and fascinating in every way, from narration to subject matter. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction and the feminist literary theorem of "the pit or the pedestal" (the stereotyping of women in literature as either evil or pure). 4★s.Here is my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers – 4**** PVT John Bartle met PVT Daniel Murphy in basic training, and promised Murph’s mother that he’d bring the 18-year-old back from Iraq. The novel relates Bartle’s experiences in Iraq – the horror, excitement, confusion, mental and physical stress. His internal struggle to come to grips with his actions, his regrets, his losses is what makes this novel so powerful. There were sections of this book that had me completely immersed in the narrative, but I think that I, like John Bartle, was looking for answers where there are none. As a result, the ending was less than satisfying for me.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster – 5***** I’ve been hearing about this book forever, but never read it before. I’m so glad I finally got to it! It is an absolute delight. I love Milo – a boy “who didn’t know what to do with himself” – and his spirit of adventure. What I find particularly delightful is the way Juster plays with words and ideas. Introducing readers (young and old) to some lofty ideas and imparting more than a little wisdom along the way. It’s been over fifty years since this book was first published, but I feel certain it will remain popular for at least another fifty years.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book Concierge wrote: " The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster – 5***** I’ve been hearing about this book forever, but never read it before. I’m so glad I finally got to it! I..."
I'm glad you enjoyed this one as much as I did! ☺
Although I am an Indie author myself, I have been wary of reading many, based on too many disappointments. However, Ms. Atkins wrote a good article for Authors Publish that caught my eye, and so I checked out her book on Amazon: The Mess of Me. It grabbed me immediately, so I ordered it on Kindle. She is a writer's writer, and the book still has a grasp on my attention. She deserves a much wider audience.
Mod
Patricia wrote: "I'm reading The Things They Carried and will probably start The Husband's Secret tonight."The Things They Carried: A great book!!!
I finally got around to reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter. Such a lovely sad book. The TV movie so far has followed the book fairly closely. After I saw the movie I realized there was a book so I bought it a couple of years ago and only now came across it again in one of many unpacked boxes of books. I've really got to buy some bookcases.
I am reading and listening to the audio book of Inherent Vice
by Thomas Pynchon. It's like if The Rockford Files met Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid and they smoked a fat joint or three together. Lot's of fun!
yesterday i had no classes and no power so i was able to finish
and
. I also made a huge dent in
and i feel confident that i can finish it by the end of the week. I also stated
and
.
Would those who post the covers, please add the title. Some of us can't see the title of the books. Thanks.
Book Concierge wrote: " The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster – 5***** I’ve been hearing about this book forever, but never read it before. I’m so glad I finally got to it! I..."
I've read The Phantom Tollbooth and enjoyed it a lot.
I'm now reading one of my all time favorite authors, Ed McBain, from his 87th Precinct series, Lightning
Joel wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I'm reading The Things They Carried and will probably start The Husband's Secret tonight."The Things They Carried: A great book!!!"
I agree Joel. I've had it for years and just never thought I would enjoy reading a book about war. I'm glad I gave it a chance.
Book Concierge wrote: " The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster – 5***** I’ve been hearing about this book forever, but never read it before. I’m so glad I finally got to it! I..."
That was my favorite book as a child.
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch (with Jeffrey Kaslow) – 3.5*** Randy Pausch was a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University when he was asked to prepare a presentation for the popular “last lecture” series. Much of what he relates here is found in many other books, lectures, essays, and articles. What makes this so poignant is the personal story of his circumstances – a father with three children ages 1 to 5, who is dying of pancreatic cancer.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Freak Show by James St James – 2** Billy Bloom is a gay teenager who has recently moved to Florida. There is a nugget of a great story here. Billy’s situation is shared by many teens, who struggle with being themselves and also fitting in. I found myself alternately cheering for Billy and cringing at his antics. He was so over-the-top and the other students such caricatures that the important message here was somewhat lost in the glitter and drama. I am way past the teenage years and not very interested in wallowing in teen angst and self-absorption. But the young adult audience will probably enjoy it more.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker – 3*** This is a sort of fairy tale, with settings and happenings that are grounded in reality, but sprinkled with a little folklore and magic. Truly Plaice is a giantess, courtesy of a pituitary problem. Her sister Serena Jane is the epitome of feminine beauty. Both girls suffer because of their appearance. I found the book slow to get started, but the more I read, the more invested I became in Truly. Ultimately, she emerges as a heroine with grace and dignity, and she is able to love and be loved for who she is, not what she looks like. Carrington MacDuffie does a fine job narrating the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Karen M wrote: "So torn between finishing The Memory Keeper's Daughter first and starting The Road tonight."Two such completely different books. I say finish The Memory Keeper's Daughter.
I just finished
and things are finally picking up. I can't wait to read the next one in the series, I am now going to finish
,
and
.
I'm going to start reading Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas today.
This Token of Freedom by Jon Helminiak – 3*** During World War II millions of children were evacuated from London and sent away to safe locations to spare them from witnessing the aftermath of the German blitzkrieg. This is the story of one of those evacuee children, Jayne Jaffe, who at age nine left her family behind in London to come to Milwaukee Wisconsin to live with total strangers. It was a life-changing experience for her.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Jackie wrote: "I'm going to start reading Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas today."I liked that book. It was also the first "adult" novel I gave my niece.
Of all of Sandra Dallas' books I least liked Tallgrass. Don't get me wrong but I felt there better books by this author than Tallgrass. Many of you discovered Sandra Dallas with the publication of Orphan Train but some like myself have been reading this author since her first book, the Persian Pickle Club. While I think Orphan Train today is my fave of Dallas' books Ido recommend The Chili Queen which is both funny and sad.
Thanks for the comments re. Tallgrass, I'm looking forward to starting it later & depending how I get on with it, might look up some of her others.
I just finished
and can't wait to read the next one. i am now reading
and
and should have them done in the next couple of days.
Just finished Daisy Miller, my first time reading Henry James. Moving on to The Turn of the Screw now.
I finished The Memory Keeper's Daughter and have to say even if you saw the movie, please, read the book. There are enough differences and details that you will still enjoy the book.I am still reading The Road and I've also started Cocaine Blues. The only way I can read more than one book at a time is to read different genres so it is easier to keep track of the stories.
Book Concierge wrote: " The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker – 3*** This is a sort of fairy tale, with settings and happenings that are grounded i...
I listened to this on audio and enjoyed the story very much. I also listened to "Mercy Snow" which I enjoyed but not as much as Little Giant.
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The Next Best Book Club
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This is a story of the jungle, green hell and Eden; of the Shuar Indians, who know how to live in harmony with it; of the machines and settlers and gold prospectors and gringos who have invaded it. Nature, out of balance, becomes vengeful and violent. The writing is poetic and atmospheric, with a great sense of place. I couldn’t help but think of my father – the way he knew the land and respected the animals who made it their home.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...