The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What Are You Reading - Part Deux
I am also reading Station Eleven and am surprised at how much I am enjoying this book.
Running the Books by Avi Steinberg – 2** A disappointing memoir of a freelance newspaper obituary writer turned prison librarian. Most boring, navel-gazing, it doesn’t get interesting until after page 200. The few poignant stories at the end can’t save it. Now, the memoir that one of the inmates is working on? THAT, I’d like to read!
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Cold Day For Murder by Dana Stabenow – 2** I was hoping for a strong female lead, and Kate Shugak is ALMOST that character, but the book suffers from weak plotting, and most of the native Aleut characters are little more than stereotypes. It was a fast read, and the next time I need a book set in Alaska I might give book # 2 in the series a try.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Going to start Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum today.
Chris wrote: "I did the audio and thought it was very well read. I liked it but it was rather predictable and not really the kind of book you can recommend. I would love to know what you think when you are done! "I'm also doing the audiobook of The Goldfinch. I completely agree that while I'm enjoying it, it's not the type of book I would recommend. (It doesn't help that the chapter numbering got messed up in iTunes, so while I've only listened to 1/3 of it so far, I accidentally listened to one of the discs near the end before I realized what had happened). I'm sure it will turn out to be a good book, but so far I'm wondering what the Pulitzer committee saw in it when they thought it was the best book of the year.
I'm reading 'Every Fifteen Minutes' by Lisa Scottoline and I've had to put it down more than once because the tension was getting the best of my respiratory system!
To Begin Again by Jen Knox – 3*** This is a short-story collection wherein the scenarios, characters and locations differ, but they all share a theme of life-altering decisions. Most of the stories are rather dark – not too many happy endings here. It was a quick read, and I enjoyed reading the collection.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fever by Mary Beth Keane – 4**** Keane does a fine job with this work of historical fiction of a complex character facing an unimaginable scenario. Her “Typhoid Mary” is at once sympathetic and infuriating. I could not help but think of the recent Ebola scares in the U.S. – we imposed quarantines on those exposed, and some of them, just like Mary, refused to follow those restrictions.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Karen M wrote: "Reading The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion 
"I love Fannie Flagg's writing. Enjoy!
Recently finished: Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter and Betrayed by Lisa Scottoline. Enjoyed both, though the first more than the latter. Currently reading: Curses! by Aaron Elkins and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (only two stories to go).
I've just started The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor.Recently finished Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum. Loved it.
Book Concierge wrote: "Karen M wrote: "Reading The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion "I love Fannie Flagg's writing. Enjoy!"
Her characters are just wonderful.
I'm reading The Windup Girl (stuck on post-apocalyptic and dystopian books) and Death of a Hollow Man: Inspector Barnaby #2,
Book Concierge wrote: " Fever by Mary Beth Keane – 4**** Keane does a fine job with this work of historical fiction of a complex character facing an unimaginable scenario. Her “Typhoid Mary” i..."
I LOVE Fannie Flagg! Her best--in my opinion--is A Redbird Christmas . . .or maybe Can't Wait to Get to Heaven.
Just finished WE WERE LIARS since you guys had said you liked it. GREAT! Thank you! Now I am in the middle of Baldacci's Christmas Train.
Karen M wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "Karen M wrote: "Reading The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion "I love Fannie Flagg's ..."
I forgot how much I enjoy Fannie Flagg's books. This title reminded me.
Chris wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: " Fever by Mary Beth Keane – 4**** Keane does a fine job with this work of historical fiction of a complex character facing an unimaginable scenario..."
Other than Fried Green Tomatoes, I also would say that A Redbird Christmas is also my fave.
This morning I finished Susan Meissner's book! In All Deep Places. This is the third book I read by this author which I loved. The first two, the fall of Marigolds and Secrets of a Charmed Life were equally wonderful.
Started reading Natchez Burning and so far I really like it. But then a book I had on hold at the library came in so now im readingMr. Mercedes
I am beginning Natchez Burning also.
Going to start Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin today.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan – 3.5*** A novel told in three parts – before, during and after WW2. Australian surgeon Dorrigo Evans experiences the horrors of a Japanese POW camp during the war, but Flanagan seems to be saying that the drama of everyday life sometimes rivals that of war. I can believe this, but I wish he had done more to SHOW this. The audio version is capably performed by David Atlas. His pacing is good, but he does not do much to differentiate the various characters (other than the handful of women).
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The digital library has one other Fannie Flagg, I Still Dream About You. I'll save that one for the next time I feel burned out from reading. Something light and funny is always a help.
Dolled Up for Murder by Deb Baker – 1* Gretchen Birch mystery # 1 has Gretchen summoned to Phoenix by her Aunt Nina to help clear her mother, Caroline’s name. The characters are cardboard, the plot stretched thin. I finished only because it fulfilled a challenge. Not likely to pick up another. One star for the interesting information provided on doll-collecting at the beginning of each chapter.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Before I Die by Jenny Downham – 2** A teen with leukemia has a bucket list of things she wants to accomplish before she dies. I found it maudlin and manipulative, but I can see that the intended YA audience would probably respond well to it. Charlotte Parry does a fine job performing the audio version.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Leaving Mother Lake - entrancing yet down to earth non-fiction.
So far i have finished
,
,
and
. I am now reading
and
.
I've just started The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.
The Goldsmith’s Daughter by Tanya Landman – 2.5** A novel of the Aztec empire in Mexico. I enjoyed the information on the culture and society of the Aztec empire, and liked how Landman revealed the differences in the religious beliefs of the Spanish conquistadors and the Aztec people. I thought the “Romeo & Juliet” side story was predictable, but appropriate for the target audience. BUT I was sorely disappointed with the constant message that all the bad things that happened were the fault of fifteen-year-old Itacate and her defiance of the restrictions placed on women of that society.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm now reading Columbine by Dave Cullen.
Missed reading a sexy vampire story so I'm reading The Vampires of Soldiers Cove and since I always love a mystery, Death of a Hollow Man: Inspector Barnaby #2.
Barefoot Heart by Elva Trevino Hart – 3*** An interesting memoir of life as a migrant child, traveling with her family from Texas to Minnesota each summer to work the fields. I found many of the stories compelling and could identify with much of it, but Part Three completely changed the tone of the book for me, and I dropped my rating from four to three stars as a result.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm currently reading
. It's a super slow day here at work and this is the perfect book to pass the time :)
. It's a super slow day here at work and this is the perfect book to pass the time :)
Paula wrote: "I'm just starting 
"These are a series of book which IMO should be read in order.
I enjoyed them but not his recent books.
Nancy from NJ wrote: "Paula wrote: "I'm just starting "These are a series of book which IMO should be read in order.
I enjoyed them but not his recent books.
I read the first one and thought it was just ok. I loved Mystic River and Shutter Island so thought I'd give the 2nd book in the series a try. : )
Sharyl wrote: "I've recently started The Magician's Assistant, by Ann Patchett and am really getting into it :)"Sharyl, have you finished yet? I bought this book years ago and you need to tell me if I should actually read it LOL!
I'm halfway through The Kitchen House and I'm getting bored with it. Hopefully the last 1/2 is where the 5*****'s are hidden. (Seems everyone loved this book)
Maine by J Courtney Sullivan – 1* Three generations of Kelleher women descend on the family’s beach-front property one summer. The four women around whom the story revolves have little in common except that they are all part of this dysfunctional family. Their relationships are as rocky as the coast of Maine. I didn’t like any of them. I wasn’t interested in their stories. I didn’t care what happened to any of them. Ann Marie Lee does an adequate job performing the audio, but she doesn’t have good material to work with.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm reading Started Early Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson.
Red Sky at Morning by Richard Bradford – 4**** A coming-of-age story set in a small mountain town in New Mexico during WW II. Bradford writes believable teens (and adults), making sense of a world whose rules have changed. I was caught up in the story of Josh and his family, as they tried to make the best of the situation. The setting shields the characters from the war, but war will intrude eventually. In the meantime Josh and his friends maintain some of the innocence of youth, while still stretching the boundaries as they rush head-long towards adulthood.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am currently reading The Face in the Locket by Alexandra Connor.
I am reading Midnight Rider right now
Sharyl wrote: "I am finally reading All the Light We Cannot See. I've been looking forward to it for quite awhile."One of the best books I read last year.
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The Next Best Book Club
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Now I am reading Predator One.